Documentary is a powerful medium for telling stories and encouraging dialogue and civic engagement. The Youth Documentary Arts Program (YDAP) at Spy Hop Productions is a unique program that enables youth to learn the aesthetics, skills, and techniques of documentary production. Young documentarians have the opportunity to explore stories and issues pertinent to youth and adults while developing a variety of skills and abilities. Participants in the program are immersed in the practical and theoretical aspects of documentary work such as story development, the creative process, nonfiction filmmaking styles, camera operation, cinematography, and editing.

The Examiner is a monthly digital newsletter produced by the Wasatch Front's premier media arts activist to showcase the creative efforts of Spy Hop Productions. We feature current cultural events, local and national community news, as well as up-to-date information about Spy Hop screenings, performances and current classes.

The 3rd Annual Big Lebowski Bowling Benefit participants enjoyed a full evening of fun including four hours of disco bowling, a pizza buffet, a beverage bar, roving entertainment, a “Big Lebowski” costume contest, giveaways throughout the evening, and a grand prize package for the winning team. Based on the film “the Big Lebowski”, a 1998 comedy film written and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen. X96’s “Radio from Hell” host Bill Allred, who serves on Spy Hop Productions’ Board of Directors, will emcee the event. Wasatch Brewery donated microbrew for the benefit.

“Real-life” means “hands-on” – youth need the experience of working with cameras, coding computers, and mixing music. “Hands-on” participation has lasting effects. For example, when a young person participates in the filmmaking process they understand how to create a story and how to create a vision. They learn to problem solve and to articulate their ideas. They are able to unleash their creative energy through the educational model of multimedia (which has a truly dynamic educational nature). Reel 2 Real is Spy Hop's quarterly newsletter that aims to share information about current programs and events with the community.

Each fall Spy Hop Productions has compiled two hours worth of their best youth produced film and video work created during the course of a year, including documentary, narrative, animation, PSA, music video, and experimental. The annual screening event gives young writers, actors, editors, cinematographers, and directors, whose voices are often disregarded or deemed unimportant an opportunity to see their creative visions on the big screen in front of their friends and community.