By Terry Jinks
Special to Inside
Sixth-grader Victoria Grimm gets it. This will be the third year the precocious 12-year-old has spent part of her summer watching movies for fun and education — as well as for learning to analyze media and communicate her assessment of it. Asked what she learns at the annual Facets Multi-Media movie camp, she confidently said, "To not be afraid of expressing my opinion, because it is mine and no one else's, so you don't have to feel ashamed about it."
Victoria also enjoys meeting other kids with similar interests. "We learn about writing movies and get to write and act in our own 30-second commercials. It's really cool because you get to see your own ideas acted out on screen by you." Using children as actors can be a good strategy, as it can be more effective for seven year olds to see a 12-year-old and not an adult doing an anti-smoking spot.
The Young Chicago Critics 2005, June 22 through July 1, features two separate sessions, one for kids 7-10 and one for those 11-14, both of which will be held daily. Support comes from the Illinois Film Office, the Best Buy Children's Foundation and the Elizabeth Morse Genius Trust. Nearly 75 percent of the children attending the camp receive full scholarships.
The program gives kids of all backgrounds the chance to discover why they love movies. The Young Chicago Critics program offers the rare opportunity to learn about, and participate in, every part of the filmmaking process.
Seven-year-old Alexis Hoard will be attending for the first time and owes her acceptance into the camp to her interest in acting, writing and movies. Applicants must answer essay questions as well as provide a brief bio. Her interest in writing has been piqued by her favorite movies, "Fat Albert," "100 Dalmations" and "Madagascar."
Presented by the Chicago International Children's Film Festival, the intensive two-week YCC program gives children a forum to discuss and analyze movies. They learn how to "read" a movie's message and critique it based on writing, editing, cinematography, and sound. This year's attendees have been chosen but parents and kids can apply for next summer.
"The Young Chicago Critics program offers kids opportunities they won't find anywhere else," said Nicole Dreiske, Director of Children's Programs. "They learn to review films from around the world in a creative environment and work with other kids in hands-on video production." The YCC program provides the children with access to state-of-the-art technology and input from leading critics, teachers, producers, and filmmakers.
Eight-year-old Anna Christensen will be attending for her first time but it is not her first production experience. Her fourth grade class produced an i-Pod video where she participated in writing, acting and editing the scenes, music and special effects. "I have been wanting to make a movie for a long time and going to the YCC will help me to better understand both how hard it is and how easy it is," said Anna. Anna's class at school shot and edited video that covered an historical event and information on the Pottawatomie Indians. "I hope to learn more about working together with people and critiquing movies," she added.
Laura Sher, Anna's mother and a member of Facet Multi-Media, said she has known about YCC for years and is very excited that Anna will have this opportunity. It will make it possible for Anna to be a juror for the Chicago Children's International Film Festival, which is known for very high quality films.
You don't need to know how to analyze movies before becoming a Young Chicago Critic, according to Kerensa Peterson, Camp Director. She said all you need to have is passion and an enthusiastic spirit.
After completion of the camp, children will receive special film critic's credentials and have their films screened on July 1. In addition, YCC graduates are invited to put their skills to use for the Festival's Children's Jury in August. Five Young Chicago Critics will even be chosen as delegates for the acclaimed Giffoni International Children's Film Festival in Italy. For more information contact Kathleen Beckman at (773) 281-9075 or Kidsfest@facets.org. |
