Posts by owenwald

By owenwald on Nov 30, 2013 in In The News | 0 comments

Blair Karsch, a substitute teacher, has created “On Your Level,” a television show that will be put on major cable networks soon at around 8 p.m. He has been taping Wednesdays after school in the carpeted cafeteria and about 20 people attend, but “they all seem to be white and regular… We need to mix it up,” said Karsch. He is sending the tapes to JEL to be edited and have graphics put in. Karsch said, “I want to try to find corporate sponsorship and especially find a director that makes us look super polished and hopefully pick me or the concept up.” The problem of not having a diverse enough audience he tried to fix by meeting in Kathleen White’s study hall two weeks ago; ten kids agreed to be in it, while many watched. He talked with the kids and had those who wanted to be in move to the front where the camera could see them. Karsch then started discussion to start a topic, in this case, it was gangs and drugs. The general idea was the kids are growing up too quick and Karsch tries to provide answers and insights. The song “Cop Killer” by Ice T was brought up, and Karsch explained how they have the right to publish the song under the First Amendment and the students tried to think of ways to see how these “bad images” are publicized in songs and the media. Karsch has filmed shows at various other places also such as Borders bookstore. He concentrates on all teens, not just North Central students. For one show he had five students from Washington Township, five from IPS and five from Carmel. During the shows he tells the students not to mention North Central because he doesn’t want to let the audience know where it is; he wants the audience to think these are just regular teenage kids. The shows are being filmed because Karsch, “see(s) the kids crying out for more; so I have to use the current media to take advantage of these kids and how they are feeling. I want to be the Ricki Lake for teens except with a positive images.” He has contacted Comcast, American,...

By owenwald on Nov 30, 2013 in In The News | 0 comments

Topics Newspapers From television to poetry – a local author/speaker releases a new motivational poetry book. North Central substitute teacher and after-school television talk show host Blair Karsch has published the book, Bigger Than Cool: Motivational and Inspirational Thought Provoking Poetry.” “Kids need a connection to why they’re in school,” said Karsch. “Hopefully, this book will give them some sort of connection.” The 236-page book contains more than 500 poems ranging from learning to family to race relations. Karsch thinks kids need a tie to the real world. “I think I speak in the kid’s language,” he said. Karsch hopes to reach kids through the rhythm and beat of his poetry and to put a “positive perspective on the issues to facilitate a positive outcome.” Although he has sent copies of his book to publishers, Karsch is currently publishing and marketing the book himself. The book is now available for $15 at Chapters, Borders, Barnes & Nobles and Treehouse bookstores, as well as Grateful Threads and PAK Mail stores. The book can also be purchased by mail by sending a check to 9425 N. Meridian, Suite 152, Indianapolis, IN 46260 or calling...

By owenwald on Nov 30, 2013 in In The News | 0 comments

By Ed Stattmann Indiana Jewish Post & Opinion One of the other weeklies in town has a classified ad category labeled “Shameless Promos.” The P-O has no such heading, but if we had, it might be appropriate for mention of Blair Karsch. He has pounded on our door, so to speak, for many weeks, seeking some publicity. We surrender. Karsch is telling anyone who’ll listen that he deserves a chance at becoming a national television personality, because he’d be a lot better for child viewers than some of the trash talk shows now available. Being right and being marketable are two different things, he concedes, but he says he’s even willing to cut his ponytail and dress conservatively if he can hold onto his show. Karsch, 37, has a cable show in which he gets youngsters to express themselves about how school, adults, and life in general are treating them. This writer has no pretensions to being a critic of television or any art form. The Indianapolis Star & News TV critic, Steve Hall, recently gave a dollop of praise and a few verbal bruises having mostly to do with technical flaws. He granted that Karsch seems to get kids to say on camera what’s on their minds. Karsch is a graduate of North Central High School and Indiana University. He has done professional TV acting in Los Angeles. Now he’s a substitute teacher in Zionsville, Carmel, and Pike and Washington townships. A self-published rap-style poet, Karsch sometimes wins children over by plugging their names and their interests into instant verse. If Hall is correct, there’s some truth to Karsch’s boast that he’s a magnet for at least some kids. Some kids in North Central High who stayed after school to be on his cable show; some African-American kids in Tarkington Park, for example. He’d like to find some backup help that would lead to taking his concept national with good production equipment. “I’m an optimist. I believe the world can be a better place,” he says. “I believe TV can do as much to correct everything as they’ve done wrong.” Karsch says he’d like to combine TV talk with help for kids who need it – with toll-free...

By owenwald on Nov 30, 2013 in In The News | 0 comments

By Brad Kovach Topics Newspapers Every Wednesday at North Central High School, students have a chance to speak out in their own teen talk show. Blair Karsch, a substitute teacher and motivational speaker has created “On Your Level,” a show dealing with issues, challenges and thoughts from today’s generation. “It’s a medium to just talk about and express yourself,” Karsch said during a short introduction before taping a segment in the school cafeteria. Karsch has taped the half-hour segments Wednesdays after school for four months. Past segments have featured discussions on time management, crime and the media, racism, rap music, family values, talk shows, drugs and exercise and diet. In a recent meeting, students tackled the issue of expression. Nose rings, oranger hair and grunge clothing – why do kids make these choices and how will they affect their future, Karsch asked. About 20 students sat in a loose circle around Karsch as the taping began. Although Karsch’s short, prodding leads were answered slowly at first, the students perked up after a few rounds of questioning. “Youth has always been youth,” said a girl wearing overalls and a colorful, shiny satin shirt. “Kids try hard, sometimes too hard, to express themselves,” said a black-clad girl. The one black boy participating expressed that he was just trying to be himself. “I don’t act black. I don’t act white. I just act like me,” he said running his hands through his dreadlocks. “It’s all right if you keep your priorities straight,” Karsch said reassuringly. Before the end, the show has moved from expression, to after-school activities, to music and even to drugs and smoking. Karsch wants the show to be intimate, inspiring and relevant. Each show, he said, must finish on an upbeat note. Superintendent Eugene White advised Karsch when he presented his proposal for the talk show. “He said each show has to end with success and perspective,” Karsch said. “It has to relate to issues that reach to the mainstream. I want to deal with emotions, perspective and choices. I’d like to see a fight for five minutes, a conversation for 20, and a resolution for five. I want to hear someone say, ‘Maybe it does effect me,'” he...

Cooler Then School

By owenwald on Nov 29, 2013 in The Mailbox | 0 comments

My brain is nice my brain is cool. But school is even better when it’s cool. I reached the sky, I reached the ceiling but it’s not cooler then I. I went outside I saw a little dog said “my brain is cool but not cooler then school.