2023 Teens & Screens Summit
Agenda
Thursday, October 26, 2023
UCLA Meyer and Renee Luskin Conference Center
425 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095
Event Check-In (8:45 - 9:30am)
Ballroom C&D on 1
Welcome and Keynote Address (9:30am)
Ballroom C&D on 1
Dr. Yalda T. Uhls, Founder & Executive Director of the Center for Scholars & Storytellers (CSS) will kick off the day and welcome our keynote speaker. Our keynote speaker is environmental justice activist, Jerome Foster II, the youngest-ever White House Advisor in U.S. history.
Gen Z and the Social Shift (10:30am)
Legacy A&B on 2
Gen Z’s use of social media is universal. While one-third of teens said they sometimes feel overwhelmed by it, the majority of adolescents love it more than they hate it. This panel will discuss expanding the conversation to one that accurately captures the full spectrum of young peoples’ experiences on social media – focusing how they can discover community and role models, deepen their passions, and explore new interests, while also acknowledging some of the challenges young people face and the tools, resources and tips available to help them navigate.
Moderator: Dr. Candice Odgers, UC Irvine
Speakers: Gael Aitor, Teenager Therapy | Raena Saddler, Meta | Amanda Southworth, Astra Labs | Tallulah Willis, Entrepreneur & Artist
Crafting Stories that Connect (10:30am)
Laureate on 1
Hollywood storytellers have the opportunity to craft narratives that both resonate deeply and reflect the lived experiences of adolescents in films and TV. Gen Z demands authenticity in storytelling with “personal life” and “real life issues” at the top of their lists. What storylines remain “Off Limits” and why? Where can studios lean in to support adolescents who want authentic depictions of topics they care about.
Moderator: Dr. Alisha Hines, Center for Scholars & Storytellers
Speakers: Amee Dolleman, Disney Branded Television | Angela Harvey, Writer, Producer, Director & Activist | Lauren Kisilevsky, Hello Sunshine | Mayan Lopez, Actress, Writer & Producer
Continue the Conversation (11:15am)
Gen Z and the Social Shift - Legacy A&B on 2
Crafting Stories that Connect - Laureate on 1
These 30-minute sessions follow each panel. This interactive, but structured, Q&A will provide an opportunity for attendees to engage in conversation with the panelists and bring their unique ideas and insights to the table.
Lunch (12:00pm)
Centennial Terrace on 3
Mix and mingle with colleagues at a buffet lunch from the award-winning Plateia restaurant will be served outside on the shaded Centennial Terrace.
Game Changers - Shifting Gender Norms in Media (1:00pm)
Legacy A&B on 2
How can media support both widening traditional gender roles and encouraging a reinterpretation of conventional definitions of masculinity? With their social aspect and male skew, can video games play a unique role in challenging stereotypes, particularly around gender roles and male vulnerability? With more and more schools and states banning conversations about gender identity and sexual orientation, how can storytellers fill in the gap to ensure the mental well being of adolescents.
Moderator: Sheena Brevig, Center for Scholars & Storytellers
Speakers: Morgan Stevenson Cooper, Writer & Director | Sasha Knight, Actor, LGBTQIA+ Activist and YMR Program | Adrian Ledda, Activision Blizzard | Lynnette Ramirez, Bassett Vance Productions
Beyond Tropes - Rethinking Foster Care Portrayals (1:00pm)
Laureate on 1
Stories around foster care and adoption often fail to depict their varied experiences, or what foster youth have in common with other teens. Too often, a simplistic portrayal is depicted with familiar tropes while ignoring more pervasive systemic issues. How can storytellers avoid stereotypes and find new approaches to telling compelling and nuanced stories about foster youth, without the associated stigma?
Moderator: George Huang, UCLA School of Theatre, Film & Television
Speakers: Joanna Johnson, Writer, Producer & Director | Dr. Tiera Tanksley, Center for Scholars & Storytellers | Demontea Thompson, Twinspire and CSS Fellow
Moment4Life - Music and Mental Health (2:00pm)
Legacy A&B on 2
Music plays an important role in self-expression and identity, and it can be a powerful mechanism to support adolescent well being. Across genres, music plays a key role in shaping mass culture by bringing large groups of people together and uniting niche or fringe communities. As both listeners and creators of music, young artists can also be positive role models, by both caring for their own mental health and helping destigmatize help seeking among Gen Z listeners.
Moderator: Dr. Jabari Evans, University of South Carolina & Harvard
Speakers: Kosine, Songwriter & Composer and Da Internz | Daniel McCartney, UTA - United Talent Agency | Jacob Sartorius, Singer & Social Media Personality | Jasmine Sorgen, YMR Program
Social Impact - What Happens Next? (2:00pm)
Laureate on 1
Today’s adolescents watch shows with second screens in hand. CSS research found that 92% of teens looked for mental health information, and 88% had conversations after watching a popular TV show. This panel explores how storytellers and marketers can work hand-in-hand to ensure we maximize the power of narrative, showcasing real world examples.
Moderator: Andy Kucer, The Hive at Spring Point Partners
Speakers: Sofia Ayesta-Hollstein, YMR Program | Meredith Goldberg-Morse, Showtime and MTV Entertainment Studios | Zach Gottlieb, Talk with Zach and YMR Program | Natalie Patterson, BEAM - Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective
Real Talk - Behind the Screen with Top Creators (3:00pm)
Ballroom C&D on 1
In this intimate session, hear from content creators about how to deliver great content for teens and young adults that balances safety, expression and discovery. The panelists will share their personal journey and insights, including successes and lessons learned. Get a candid look behind the scenes of their work to engage audiences, followed by Q&A with the audience and CSS teens.
Moderator: Lauren Glaubach, YouTube
Speakers: Up and Coming Creators
Let’s Continue the Conversation! (4:00pm)
Ballroom C&D on 1
Dr. Yalda T. Uhls will recap the day and talk about what comes next in this work.