Moments of contemplation

It has been almost two weeks since our last day of Circle Round the School and I can't believe what an enriching time it has been.
When I started the class I had absolutely no experience working with children. My only teaching experience was with undergrads and they are definitely easier to teach. For example, you expect the undergrads to come to class with a certain level of skills. I can give them writing assignments or projects with some parameters and let him have at it. Most of the undergrads already have an idea of how they want their film to look or what film(s) they want to write about. I am there to give them a new method of thinking and possibly enlighten them on a few new films.
On the other hand, the students at Circle Round the School came out with all kinds of ideas. Their imaginations go wild and they have all kinds of creative ideas for their films. Pradeep and I would teach them the basics of visual storytelling as well as the production process. We would guide the students but they would do the work. Although, at times it may have been difficult to keep them focused, they always seemed excited about the ideas and their energy may have been tiring but kept us excited too. As a teacher, I wanted them to do as many projects as possible. It was amazing to watch them create movies. Many of the students didn't have any experience with cameras yet when it came time to make their films they blew many college age students away. They weren't worried about the type of camera or effects but instead they wanted to tell a story. A genuine, sincere story.

The Creative Loop as observed by Keith

Watching students be creative over the past four weeks has inspired me as an artist.  I see the wonderful things they are doing and it makes me want to change the way I make art.  Everytime I learn from individual students I have more to share with entire classes.  Thank you students!

Film Making Fun!

penultimate rehersals-Susie

Only one more day of rehearsals left! Costumes and props are ready. Lines are pretty much memorized (even those who stepped up today to fill in), and children around the county are practicing their projection and enunciation... I know everyone, teachers included, are very excited about Friday's upcoming performances.
I want to share a few snapshots from today's rehearsals. If anything, just to show off these amazing costumes they have created.
This is one of the three ministers in the king's court. She can't see the cloth being woven! Lucky shot, I guess. And her expressions throughout the performance are priceless...
Dress rehearsal tomorrow -- and then the big show. I know it will be a smashing success! With all the enthusiasm the kids are showing, and the pride they have in their shows, it already is.
-Susie - costumes and mask workshop for the Paper Theater

Stepping up: play's the thing!

This week I have seen some magical moments: yesterday our Amazon queen, who came off as pretty skeptical of all this acting silliness at first, asked if the group could rehearse at recess. Of course we said yes! (Always say yes, is our theater motto.) She rounded up her cast and we ran the play after lunch. Bravo! This morning we heard that our beloved Emperor had broken her ankle—right away, we found a willing understudy for this role, and another for the role that actor vacated: these two started learning lines, and did a great job in rehearsal, with everyone helping. Today we heard some quiet voices, finally emerging from shy actors' (male and female) mouths. The ACTion is getting bigger, and everyone seems to be having fun. In the first week of this program, I was so nervous: would we be able to interest the kids? Would we get plays? Would we actually produce them, with words, music, costumes, props and puppets—all that?? By now I know that Friday night we will have four dazzling performances, each the product of a group of young people and adults working together—a true collaboration. This is the joy and magic of theatre, and this is why I love this work! (which is also play—funny, isn't it…?)

Last week

Last week (the 3rd week) found some unique movies. We were ecstatic when the morning and the afternoon all wanted to do comedies. The morning kids did spoofs on Rocky and the Child's Play movies. Our afternoon, did their own version of Indiana Jones. They made some great choices with their shots and compositions. Impressive considering the time they are given.
It is amazing how watching movies your whole life can give you a film education (like the majority of the students.) They may not have understood composition or shot choice at the beginning but they knew what looked "correct" and what did not. It makes me wonder when people started making films, how did they create the "rules?"

Another group of filmmakers

Today marks the next group of filmmakers in our class. Every week brings a new challenge but Pradeep and I constantly think of ways to keep the students busy and creative. This group seems to have endless amounts of energy but seem eager to get behind the camera and watch films (one student even heard about Charlie Chaplin's Modern Times and wanted to watch it.) We're looking forward to see what these groups have for us. They all love horror films (I mean who doesn't) but a lot of the students want to do something different. Lets keep our fingers crossed to some new rocking stuff.
On a side note, we were pumped on how they did with the camera. Many of the students didn't have experience filming but they set up great looking shots and tried different angles.