After Littleton, a Search for ‘Warning Signs’

The indescribably tragic violence that occurred Tuesday in Littleton, Colo., spurred MTV to bump up the launch of its yearlong antiviolence campaign, “Fight for Your Rights: Take a Stand Against Violence,” from Tuesday to today.

It begins with the premiere of “Warning Signs,” a 30-minute documentary produced in conjunction with the American Psychological Assn. While it doesn’t raise the issue of violence in pop culture--something MTV itself has been slammed for--it does raise red flags that warn of possible violence.

Taking a public-service approach--no hip camera angles and only the ubiquitous rock score under the dialogue to lend an MTV touch--the documentary consists of three segments. Two revolve around students who killed others or themselves, and one is a success story about a troubled teenager who got help in time.

Viewers are urged throughout to take action regarding themselves or others before tragedy happens and to do what young people have so much difficulty doing: tell.

Host Serena Altschul talks to Evan Ramsey, in prison for life for killing his high school principal and a classmate in Bethel, Alaska. His case is textbook: His father was jailed for felony assault, his alcoholic mother lost custody and he grew up in foster homes; he had a history of violent behavior. Constantly harassed by classmates, he told some what he was planning to do.

Ramsey drives the message wrenchingly home. Wherever his head was two years before, he is now clearly aware of the horror of what he did. When his composure cracks on camera, it’s nearly impossible to watch.

Other segments include a teenage couple in Georgia who committed suicide, and Harold Branch III, the success story that helps prove the film’s point: His mother’s suicide, his anger and isolation made him a powder keg as a young teen, but people noticed and took action with a family intervention and anger-management training.

Other on-air components of MTV’s campaign include “Do People Kill or Do Guns?,” a live debate; “Scared Straight ‘99,” an update of the award-winning documentary; and short films.

For a “Warning Signs” guide, call (800) 268-0078 or go to the Web site: https://www.helping.apa.org/.

* “Warning Signs,” MTV, today, 4:30 p.m. (Also Tuesday, 10 p.m.)