For kids who love movies, what better place to spend their week than at KIDS FIRST! Film Critics Boot Camp at the world-famous Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, CA. This is a unique and valuable opportunity which only 15 lucky kids will benefit from next month, July 11 through 15, at the KIDS FIRST! Film Critics Boot Camp program with coordinated activities and screenings provided by Disney Studios. Thanks to Disney’s participation this summer, Boot Camp attendees will also get to see screenings of the latest Disney films, learning about upcoming 3-D technology and will interview some of the talented folks from the studio’s films.
With visual media as pervasive as it is in today’s world, understanding how movies are put together gives kids valuable tools that go far beyond the movie theater. Boot Camp director Janet Davidson brings her experience as a filmmaker to the program which teaches kids aged 8 to 13 years old how to look critically at individual elements, from directing and acting to cinematography, writing and art direction. Boot Campers will take in new films – such as Winnie the Pooh, The Lion King 3D, PROM, Phineas and Ferb and the all-new Muppets movie – and discuss them, and will also view older films and compare published reviews with their own reactions to those films.
Boot Camp Director Janet Davidson states, “The value of learning to perform in front of a camera is incomparable. It will carry you in every walk of life.” And while your child may not want to pursue a career as a film critic per se, learning the dynamics of how a film is “appreciated” helps develop strong critical thinking, writing and discussion skills. Campers will learn to write film reviews and review films on camera that will be broadcast nationally. Not to mention the Boot Camp bonus of dining at the Disney Commissary every day – with the chance of catching sight of many a movie star!
Limited to 15 kids, ages 8-13, and the slots are almost filled. If you’re interested, go to http://www.kidsfirst.org/become-a-juror/BootCamp.html for more info.
