Connectopod™

Sound it Out!-The Luck of Bernardo

Max Garcia inspires us to dream big with the story of Bernardo and the billion dollar bathroom. 
Created in a workshop series at the Canoga Park Library
session 1: created perform and record a character or narrate a story 
session 2: create a collage image of the story or character
artists: Betsy Foldes Meiman (audio), Lois Keller (collage), Joe Foldes (sound design

Sound it Out!-Ahma-The Female Samurai

 
Mahek brings us the story of Ahma, the female Samurai, protecting the life and honor of her master.
 
Created in a workshop series at the Canoga Park Library
session 1: created perform and record a character or narrate a story 
session 2: create a collage image of the story or character
artists: Betsy Foldes Meiman (audio), Lois Keller (collage), Joe Foldes (sound design
 
 

Sound it Out!-A Princess Story

Ixchel Lopez brings us the story of Shelly, the plain princess. Where does true power lie? You can also hear Ixchel in Tree and K-68
Created in a workshop series at the Canoga Park Library
session 1: created perform and record a character or narrate a story 
session 2: create a collage image of the story or character
artists: Betsy Foldes Meiman (audio), Lois Keller (collage), Joe Foldes (sound design
 

Sound it Out!-the Love Story of Stuart William Smith

Just in time for Valentines Day, Candy Cortes tells the story of Stuart William Smith and his case of puppy love...for John Cena!
Check out Stuarts Eyes.
 
Created in a workshop series at the Canoga Park Library
session 1: created perform and record a character or narrate a story 
session 2: create a collage image of the story or character
artists: Betsy Foldes Meiman (audio), Lois Keller (collage), Joe Foldes (sound design
 
 

Changing the Narrative 4- Tree by Isabella Saeedy

Connectopod reporter Isabella Saeedy lost her battle with cancer this past summer at 17. She never told any of us about her illness and her dynamo energy gave us no clues. She led her team on the Connectopod/Los Angeles Public Library/CSUN Strength United collaboration -The Domestic Violence Awareness Project, which culminated in a published graphic novel and three podcasts.    
She wrote the screenplay-Tree. We thought the best way to honor Isabella was to celebrate her talents and her energetic will to create in the service of making the world a better place. 
 
In this fast-paced screenplay with a cast of quirky characters, Catherine, an environmental studies major at Columbia battles power, money, and hypocrisy to save the life of a neglected tree in Central Park who is slated to be cut down. All while struggling to finish her dissertation in time to graduate.
Isabella imagined a college experience that she would never get to have. This production has three elements that we hoped would add to the imagined college experience for Isabella. 
Our group here includes Connectopod peers, professional actors and audio producers,  a professional director who is also a USC professor,  and some of his students. 
We thought about this project as a gift to Isabella's memory and to her family.  But in the end, it was her gift to us. 
So thank you, Isabella.
 Rest in peace.
 
Cast- Andrea Sogliuzzo (Tree), Lexy Cavinchey (Catherine), Trevor VanAuken (Matteo), Bob Bailey (Dr. Ankel)  Betsy Foldes Meiman (Michelle, Elder tree, stage directions), Christopher Geutig (Hamza), Allen Keller (Clarence, Jorge, Janitor), Anjelica Benitez (Thea, Woman, Tree 4), Victoria Benitez (Nanny, Jess, Tree 3), Ixchel Lopez (Toddler, Cashier, Demolition Worker, Tree 5), Rowan Bailey (Moto the Bird, Woman 1), Karina (Bad Girl, Jogger, Woman), Andrea Lopez (Mom)
We recorded at Literati Audio with the sound engineer John Kavorek
The production was directed by Robert Bailey and produced by 
Betsy Foldes Meiman.  
Post-production and sound design were done by Joe Foldes.  
Changing the Narrative is funded by The California Arts Council
 

Changing the Narrative 4: Vicky Benitez- Mi Mama Valorosa

Long time Connectopod reporter, Victoria Benitez, does a piece in Spanish with an English intro. 'Mi Mama Valorosa ' means my courageous mother.
As Vicky says:
My mother is more than what meets the eye. Upfront, she's a nanny, a housecleaner and a single mother. But to me she's full of life and wisdom.  Ready to take on any challenge. With her remarkable fighting spirit that will never settle for any less than the best for us. She is someone who thinks ahead and has plans for a future. Making sure everything is accounted for, taking into account our feelings and dreams- not limiting us to her own beliefs on what might be considered 'right' for us.  Interviewing her for this series, Changing the Narrative, gave me a deeper insight of what she had to go  through to gave us a chance to dream. 
 Sacrificing her own dreams of attending college to that my sister and I could. So that we could have the opportunities that she didn't.
She's our driving force and we're hers. From driving us every day to and from school.to that driving  force called love.
Through life's ups and downs, we've had a good time. Despite the fright of the drops and loops. Enjoying the ride called life, because  the people we are with make it special. My ride or die, Mi Mama valorosa.  
 
Post production and theme music by Joe Foldes
Recording and editing by Victoria Benitez
 

Changing the Narrative Season 4: Daniela Catalan- The Future is Bright

Daniela Catalan has been a Connectopod Reporter since the age of 10. She is also first generation, making good on the opportunities her parents fought for.  
 
Original music and post production by Joe Foldes (also first generation!). 
 
#artsca

Changing the Narrative 4-Angelica Benitez, Blooming in Pacoima

Angie B has been with us since she was 9! We are so proud of her on her graduation from Kennedy HS and her UC promise path via Mission College. This bright and eager kid has blossomed into a talented and skillful young woman. Our Changing the Narrative Season 4 is entitled 'Aguantate'- which in Spanish kind of means "suck it up" but comes from the verb Aguantar-to endure. Angelica embodies the toughness that it takes push past your challenges and the beauty nurtured by an open heart and mind. Her sense of social justice and belief in the power ofnarrative are invigorating.  Go Angie!
 

Changing the Narrative 4: Jonathan Fein Proaño- International Rescue Committee

What is the Difference between an Asylee and a Refugee? Did you know there is a 'Big R' refugee and a 'little r' refugee? Undocumented, Displaced internal Person (DIP), DACA, Migrant, Unaccompanied Minor (UC)...so many titles for youth and their families seeking safety and stability. 
Only 30% of the world's population are childrenBut children make up 41% of all displaced persons 
As we begin season 4 of CTN, Jonathan Fein Proaño, Integrations Manager for the Unaccompanied Children's program at the International Rescue Committee in Los Angeles helps us understand the challenges and paths to citizenship for youth seeking asylum in the US.  

Changing the Narrative 4: LAPL Canoga Park K-68 A new planet, a new chance.

A group of students working on a story for Connectopod uncover the journals of researcher John C. He had discovered a new planet: K-68. The team pieces together the history of this planet, which sounds quite a bit like our own. Is  K-68 doomed to repeat our mistakes? Will ORB be able to restore balance? Who are the Paused and the Resumed? Find out!
Created by Fernando Avalos, Jennifer Maqueda, Norsorrfhia Cardenas, Ixchel Lopez, Quetzali Lopez, Marcia Melkonian, Betsy Foldes Meiman
Produced by Betsy Foldes Meiman