Turning your TV Time into Quality Time
March 18, 2008 Issue #3b
Christine L. Pollock, Editor Ranny Levy, Publisher
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Christine L. Pollock, Editor |
Ranny Levy, Publisher Granny Ranny's Addenda |
Plugged In Parents/Educators
Barbie Mariposa
Just like the butterfly, I too will awaken in my own time. ~Deborah Chaskin
New life… hope for change… what exactly is it that draws us to the butterfly, even from a very young age? Perhaps it’s the beautiful colors or the sense of freedom. Whatever it is, Mattel and partner, Rainmaker Animation, have captured some of the magical essence and put it on screen in story form. Fans of “Barbie in the Nutcracker,” “Barbie of Swan Lake,” and “Barbie in the 12 Dancing Princesses” now have another magical film to enjoy as “Barbie: Mariposa” hits KIDS FIRST! Film Festival theaters.
Mariposa is a beautiful butterfly fairy who loves to read and dream about the world outside her home in the land of Flutterfield™. Flutterfield™ is protected by the Queen's glimmering magical flower lights, but when the Queen is poisoned by the evil fairy Henna, the special lights begin to go out one by one. It's up to the brave Mariposa™ and her friends to journey beyond the safe borders of the city in search of a hidden antidote that will save the Queen.
Rob Hudnut, Vice President of Entertainment and Executive Producer, attributes the rich scenery and in this film to the texturing technology they used, along with the latest audio technology and the talent of their composer, Eric Colvin.
The Barbie team is especially excited about “Barbie Mariposa” because it is the first butterfly fairy-themed movie they have made and they know that kids and families will enjoy the rich storyline and vibrant graphics. Additionally, the heartwarming storyline features a wonderful lesson inspiring self-confidence and reminding viewers that “the most beautiful thing you can be is yourself.”
Barbie: Mariposa is now showing in the KIDS FIRST! Film Festival. Check out our website for screening times and location.
Entertainment Insider News
From Film Festival to World TV - "Her Best Move"
Filming is a different sort of ride for race-car champion Norman Hunter. Inspired by his three children, Hunter stepped behind the camera. It’s paying off, too. Hunter’s film, “Her Best Move,” made its debut on screens such as the KIDS FIRST! Film Festival, and now is picked up for distribution by some major companies and will soon be seen around the world.
Hunter, a high school soccer player turned soccer dad, dreamed up the story of Sara Davis, a high school soccer prodigy, who juggles life, family, love and sports on her way to becoming the youngest player ever selected to the U.S. National Team. He chose this sport to be the focus of the film because Hunter believes there is a reason it is known as “The beautiful sport.” He also appreciates that it seems to be the universal family sport, equally accessible to both genders. With 2 daughters and a son, Hunter is “way into equal opportunities for girls/women.”
Hunter joined KIDS FIRST! because he longs for the days when movies were funny-clever, not funny-raunchy. He likes stories that have heart and some sort of message, particularly those that can be enjoyed by all age groups. In his opinion, KIDS FIRST! seems to recognize that films can be entertaining and meaningful while not relying on vulgarity or violence – it just takes imagination!
“Her Best Move” played in over 30 film festivals, with KIDS FIRST! instrumental in placing a number of those. Hunter wraps up, “It’s nice having the KIDS FIRST! ‘seal of approval’ – it’s a way for people to understand what kind of film it is.”
* If you have a film you would like to enter into the KIDS FIRST! Film Festival, go to our website.
Read Hunter’s complete interview on the KIDS FIRST! News Blog.
Blogs: Up-to-Date News from our President and VP
Granny
Ranny's Addenda
The Seeker Comes to DVD
Based on the critically-acclaimed children’s book series, "The Seeker" will be released on DVD March 18.Will Stanton, a young... - Read It!
Mr. Men Jumps From Page to Screen on Cartoon Network
Have you seen the New Mr. Men Show? This delightful TV Series airs on the Cartoon Network and is based on the Mr. Men books created in the 1970s by Roger Hargreaves. ... Read It!
Ann's Marketing Memes
"You're never too old, too wacky, too wild, to pick up a book and read to a child."
Read Across America March 3rd Horton Hears A Who! (read-along book) Free to Your Classroom. For the first time ever...
- Read
It!
ABOUT CQCM AND KIDS FIRST!
The Coalition for Quality Children's Media is a national, nonprofit organization founded in 1991 whose mission is to teach children critical viewing skills and to increase the visibility and availability of quality children's media. More.
