Representatives of the KRRiT, the KPRM Centre for Digital Poland Projects, Polish Television and the National Film Archive of the Audiovisual Institute in the Magic Valley, Hungary
17.08.2022
The working visit was held on 29 June 2022, and one of its goals was to get acquainted with the functioning and financing of the institutions and the working methods of children and young people in learning about the operations of the media. Participants were also introduced to the equipment in the workshop rooms and the idea guiding educators and trainers.
Hungary's Magic Valleys are media education centres where young people prepare TV, radio or press materials on their own and learn the ins and outs of working in the media.
The first Magic Valley was established in Budapest in 2014. Two additional centres, one in Debrecen and the other in Saporo, have been operating since 2017 and since 2020, respectively. The projects are initiated and implemented by the Hungarian media regulator National Media and Infocommunications Authority (NMHH), which fully funds the three facilities. The annual cost of operation of one facility is approximately PLN 2 million.
The main beneficiaries of the project are the schools, which enrol their students aged 9-16 to participate in the one-day workshops. Their objective is to give students a practical introduction to working in television, radio, advertising and merchandising.
Young people gain an understanding of the mission and principles of the functioning of the media. In the Magic Valley, young people learn to use the media consciously, critically and responsibly.
The workshop program includes the recording of films consisting of several scenes shot in a greenbox (green wall), editing with a soundtrack, promotion in the print media (preparation of poster designs, newspaper cover) and preparation of a radio program about the creation of the film. Playing key roles in their films is not the only work the participants do. They also develop the script, prepare the dialogue, decide on the casting or choose the right costume.
Educators provide training on the principles of broadcasting an advertising message, commercial communication, target groups, critical reception of advertising and its impact on audiences.
When preparing a radio broadcast, students learn the rules of creating and executing the different genres of radio programs (interview, news, advertisement). When designing an advertisement or poster, they learn the rules of graphic composition, while learning that by selecting and appropriately framing images, matching colour and contrast, and applying certain retouching features, the author can have a planned impact on the user's perception of the message. The workshops do not cover the area of online media or social media, as classes on these topics are taught in schools.
Approximately 7-8 educators work in each of the three centres. They are mostly passionate and committed people with pedagogical training, pedagogical skills and media expertise.
For practical tasks, touchscreen computers are mostly used, equipped with simple software specifically dedicated to Magic Valley, so that film or soundtrack editing can be done easily. Television equipment (modern cameras, tripods, lighting equipment, blenders, microports), including microphones, radio headsets and production equipment are used in the studios.
During the school season, the Magic Valley is visited by schoolchildren, as media workshops are organised during the vacations..
Approximately 40,000 out of 67,000 Hungarian schoolchildren have benefited from activities in the 'Magic Valley' between 2014 and 2019.
The visit to the Hungarian Magic Valley was an opportunity to learn about the details of the operation of an institution that popularizes media education among students and teachers. Its goal was to gain knowledge of the benefits of its operation and receive practical tips on implementing the project.
All this information can be used in the future to consider setting up a similar institution in Poland.
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