Mini Movie Makers- Parental Involvement Tips

	TIP OF THE WEEK This week we present "The Duplication Effect." The true "magic" of moviemaking is in learning all of the camera techniques that can make the impossible - well, possible. This "Tip" illlustrates the methods that your Minimoviemaker needs to use to accomplish a duplication effect. When done correctly it can truly amaze. After your child has mastered the effect, we encourage your child to create a story where use of the effect enhances the storytelling. This process not only stokes their imagination but will also encourage them to practice what they have learned. Nothing is more satisfying to kids than amazing their familly and friends with movie "magic."
	HOW'D THEY DO THAT Keeping with our theme this week - the magic of moviemaking - (see above), we are discussing the Special Effect technique of "Compositing!" Our goal here is to show kids that they don't need computer-generated graphics to make a truly classic film. We demonstrate how the 1933 film "King Kong" combines elements of live action with claymation, something that all kids with clay or Play-Doh can try for themselves. Practice makes perfect here, and it always takes a long time to master the art of stop-motion animation, but when it works it can really impress. Once again it is important that they use the effect to enhance their storytelling.
	SOUND EFFECTS When we discuss moviemaking, kids tend to focus on the camera and the moving pictures that it makes - the whiz bang of filmmaking. Just as important in their moviemaking is the audio in their films. Many a homemade movie is ruined by poor sound. To help kids learn to focus on the impact of sound, we have created different sound effects that they can create in their own home. As in all of our examples the idea is to give them a tool that inspires them to create a story allowing them to use the tool within their movie. We know that the sound of things cracking or breaking quickly gets the attention of most kids. This week's Sound FX clip shows how to create those sounds. Kids can use the sounds to make their movies better or use their imagination to craft a story that incorporates the sounds they have created.

Parent Involvement Can Help Kids Become Better Consumers of Media

While our website is targeted for youngsters between the ages of 5 and 12, an important goal of the site is to involve parents in the movie making process.  As our society moves more and more into a visual one - TV, movies, the internet (youtube, facebook) amongst a few examples it is critical that children understand and respect the medium.  We believe that the more they  learn to dissect and be critical of all the visual media that is being directed at them, they will be better prepared to interpret it. 

Kids Love Making Movies!

What better way to take control of the media that is already so important in their lives than to learn to create their own visual images through movie making.  By teaching children the right way to make movies we believe they will be more thoughtful and serious about all movie making.  Much of what is created today by and for youngsters is neither thoughtful nor serious.  We want to help change that. 

We have created an environment that enables you, the parent, to become involved in the process of movie making with your child.  Our weekly movie making assignments allow and encourage kids to work together with their parents.

Why Making Movies is a Wonderful Outlet for Kids

• It enhances their imagination and creativity.
• Provides real hands-on methods to demonstrate and express imagination.
• For some kids, it will be the preferred way to communicate their hopes, dreams and concerns for the future.

The Parent's Center is designed to provide you with:

• The background and insight into why we choose certain topics for presentation. 
• Tips on how to interact with your child in the movie making process that we are covering that week. 
• Articles and links for you to use to learn more about movie making for kids and the entire world of visual spatial learning. 

We hope to hear from you regularly and encourage your comments and suggestions. 

We believe that if your son or daughter stays with the website and participates regularly, they will become increasingly proficient in the world of movie making.  We hope you will too.

On the Web

  Mediaed.org - a resource for media education
  Medialit.org - provides resources for teaching media literacy
  Visualspatial.org - resource for children who are visual learners and how to find out if they are
  Kidtoonfilms.com - creates G-rated film events for families every weekend
  Adobe.com / education / digikids.com -  a site created by Adobe for educating kids about digital filmmaking