boot campFALL BANNER

Have you dreamed about being an Entertainment Reporter?

Fall Mini Weekend Camps are taking place in LA, Miami, Washington DC, Seattle and more! See below!

register here
 
 
 
KIDS FIRST! Film Critics
INTERVIEW CELEBRITIES


Abigail Zoe L., Justin Timberlake at Trolls premiere

WHAT HAPPENS AT CAMP?
Beginning Film Critics Camp

 

  • Develop vocabulary and criteria necessary to understand, use and enjoy films and become critical media consumers..
  • Watch, analyze and discuss films.
  • Examine behind-the-scenes contributors (directors to editors).
  • Review film in written and video format daily.
  • Learn the process of creating videotaped film reviews and learn skills needed to be both on-camera and a camera person..
  • Learn and practice interviewing techniques for conducting both in-person and recorded interviews. .
  • Meet working actors, writers, producers, film critics, etc.
  • Work collaboratively in small teams or as a large group to fulfill breakout exercises.
  • Tour a film production facility (depending on availability).
  • Share knowledge learned with parents and guardians.
 

Sandy Kenyon, Na'im Smith
Na'im S. with Sandy Kenyon, WABC Entertainment reporter

WHAT PARENTS SAY ABOUT THEIR CHILD'S CAMP EXPERIENCE

My eldest son, Rohan participated in the Boot Camp in 2016 and has been a part of the KIDS FIRST! team since. It has been amazing watching his confidence in front of the camera grow over the last two years. His teachers have also noticed a huge improvement in his writing ability. He went back to the advanced camp in 2017 and learned a lot about video editing and improved his interviewing skills. My younger son, Damon, was very eager to join the team and had a fantastic time at 2017 NYC camp. I can see him learning and growing more and more self-confident with every review too. I am very grateful that my children have had the opportunity to be part of this wonderful team. Jennifer Foxe, New York City

My son Rami absolutely loved the Brooklyn Boot Camp. He says "it was challenging, but exciting. We got to watch movies and review them in both written and video format. It taught me a lot about the film industry. I would rate it 5 out of 5."

Advanced Film Critic Camp

(Pre-requisite: Basic Film Critic Camp or Enrollment in Media or Performing Arts Program)

  • Develop in-depth analyzing skills.
  • Learn how to improve written presentations.
  • Receive one on one coaching to refine individual on-camera performance.
  • Work collaboratively with other KIDS FIRST! Film Critics.
  • Improve interviewing skills and refine camera skills.
  • Meet and receive feedback from working professionals.
  • Explore the field of digital media, career options and industry trends.
  • Implement modes for social networks and streaming technology.
  • Learn how to shoot on green screen and create video effects in your home studio.
  • Learn how to create professional lighting in your home studio on a budget.
  • Learn how to record and edit your own radio show segment.
  • Visit and tour state of the art post production facility and meet with working professionals.
Digital Media Literacy Day

For Film Critic Campers and Parent or Guardian

  • Bring your own device and learn how to use it appropriately, from white balancing to framing, to exporting media. .
  • Learn strategies to encourage and support your child as a KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Team Member.
  • Explore various devices, (e.g. camera, hand held microphone, tripod / monopod, etc.) needed to record, edit and upload reviews and interviews.

Questions?

If you have any questions, please contact our office at 505-989-8076 or email us here.

Disclaimers

This workshop does not in any way guarantee the participant employment in the entertainment industry.

This event is subject to cancellation if adequate registration is not received or other unexpected circumstances make it impossible to take place.

All camps have limited enrollment and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critics Boot Camp is a project of the Coalition for Quality Children's Media, a national, 26-year-old, nonprofit (501-c-3) organization whose mission is to teach children to become critical media users.

 

Do You ...

  • Love, really love films?
  • Love talking about the latest films?
  • Envision yourself talking on the Red Carpet?
Spend a Day or a Weekend
Learning How to become a
KIDS FIRST! Film Critic

Day 1: View & Review

  • Watch the latest films
  • Learn to critique and write film reviews
  • Learn to present your reviews on-camera

Day 2: Learn Interview & On-Camera Skills

  • Learn to present yourself on-camera
  • Learn how to interview talent on and off the red carpet
  • Meet guest film critics, producers, actors
  • Improve your shooting and editing skills

All classes are taught by seasoned professionals.

Afterwards, you will be invited to join our national KIDS FIRST! Film Critics Team!

KIDS FIRST! Film Critics attend press screening, press junkets, red carpets and other industry events. Their reviews and celebrity interviews reach more than 7 million people per month. If you love film, this is your dream come true! Come join our team!

2018 Fall Mini Boot Camp Dates & Locations

For more information, click on links below. You may sign up for one day or both days. To register, click on the register button at the top right. Camp fees are $125 per day and $229 for two days. Space is limited so, reserve your spot with a 50% deposit now.

October 13 & 14: Los Angeles, CA

Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd

October 20 & 21: Washington DC

Location: IN3, 2301 D Georgia Ave., NW

November 2 & 4: Miami, FL

Location: Kim Houston's Casting Gym, Hollywood, CA

TBD Seattle, WA

Rainier Arts Center, 3515 S. Alaska St.

TBD: New York City

Breather Space, 36 E. 23rd

Note: All camps have a limited enrollment and will be filled on a first come/first served basis.


Instructors

Ranny.Gerry.KeeferRANNY LEVY
The invasive impact of media on children became the impetus, in 1991, for Levy to create KIDS FIRST! / Coalition for Quality Children's Media, dedicated to promoting and nurturing quality children's media as a vehicle for social change. A former educator, Levy designed an award-winning television series, Kidnetics, for PBS Affiliate, WNIT-TV, produced an ACE-nominated television show (Cable Magazine), and managed an independent film production and distribution company, OneWest Media, selling to national and international markets including PBS, the Discovery Channel and Showtime. Ranny has written two books, "The New York Times / KIDS FIRST Guide to The Best Children's Videos" and "A Parent's Guide to the Best Children's Videos, DVDs and CD-ROMs" and is a frequent speaker at conferences about children's media.

Terry SoloweyTERRY SOLOWEY
Terry Solowey has a wide range of expertise in early childhood / elementary education and children’s media. She is a writer and developer of print and multimedia programs with a focus on outreach, curriculum and content development. Ms. Solowey served as Assistant Director of the Sesame Street Preschool Educational Program, as Manager of Outreach for Thirteen/WNET and Program Director for KIDS FIRST! where she continues to serve on the Advisory Board and works with the KIDS FIRST! Film Critics Program. Terry is a certified instructor for the KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Boot Camp and a member of the KIDS FIRST! National Advisory Board.

Ed GreeneED GREENE, PhD
Dr. Ed Greene serves as VP for Partnerships and Community Development at the Hispanic Information Television Network (HITN), Brooklyn, NY. Prior to his work at HITN, Ed worked as director of educational outreach for a U.S. Department of Education Ready to Learn Transmedia project.  He has been an instructional leadership coach for principals and  PreK-2 teachers in Detroit Public Schools for Teachscape. Ed was a senior adviser and consultant to Cito USA and its Piramide Approach to Early Learning and director of global outreach for Sesame Workshop. Over his forty-year career, Ed has worked directly with infants, toddlers, preschool children, adolescents and families, as well as in a variety of roles and capacities in the philanthropic, private, public sectors and higher education.  He is a former board member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children, the High/Scope Educational Research Foundation and currently serves on the Boards of the Council for Professional Recognition and KIDS FIRST! / Coalition for Quality Children’s Media.

Angel UrquidiANGEL URQUIDI
Angel has worked at KIDS FIRST! for two years and is the Managing Video Editor for KIDS FIRST! Film Critics. He is a graduate of Santa Fe University of Art and Design with a B.A. in Fine Arts, majoring in Film Production. He also has an Associates Degree in Radio, Television and Media Broadcasting from El Paso Community College. Angel has many years of experience working in film, television and  radio. He originally developed an interest in film and TV when he was in high school where he was enrolled in his school’s weekly news show. After high school he enrolled in a community college and gained skills in lighting, writing and editing. He graduated from Community College in 2013 and, after taking a year off, enrolled in Santa Fe University of Art and Design where he strengthened his skills in lighting, editing, filming and other production areas.  He graduated with honors in 2017. Angel has directed some short films and helped produce others. He wrote and produced a PSA called No Child Hungry, which won an award for best PSA at The Chocolate City Short Film Festival.

Carletta S. HurtCARLETTA S. HURT
Carletta S. Hurt is a passionate educator and a fierce youth advocate. As a former science teacher, she recognizes the value of having girls and women engaged in STEM. For 10+ years she was a school counselor at a math and science focused middle school in Washington, DC, where she worked closely with the computer science program and coordinated the Broadcast Media Program. Her Program was a participating school in the PBS Student Reporting Lab sponsored in part by the National Science Foundation. As a Discovery Education Network (DEN) Star, Carletta participated in a “global community of education professionals that are passionate about transforming the learning experience with digital media.” Ms. Hurt serves on the board of directors for Science, Engineering, Mathematics (SEM) Link, Women in Film and Video, National Black MBA Association – DC Chapter and is the founder of IN THE LOOP Program of Success, a youth development company, which provides ongoing, engaging programs to empower, educate and elevate young people. Carletta is working on her first novel, 20 Reasons Why I Love Girl Power (And You Should Too) scheduled to release in Fall 2018 and X Marks the Spot: Girls Voices from Around the World, a documentary about the power of being a girl. For more information, go to: www.carlettashurt.com or www.intheloopprogram.com.

PHILOMENA SALEM
Philomena is an artist, educator and advocate of child well-being. Philomena studied Media Technology at Jack Yates High School in Houston, Texas and earned a BA in Moving Image Arts from the Santa Fe University of Art & Design. Philomena has worked directly for the betterment of children since 2007 when she worked as a production assistant and juror for KIDS FIRST! She has worked with children of all ages in preschools, summer camps, museums and juvenile correctional facilities where she teaches video production, photography, theatre, painting and graffiti art, poetry and graphic novels. Philomena is the founder of the non-profit organization, Unlocked Minds, Inc., a programming resource that provides creative outlets, goal-oriented mentorship and professional networks to incarcerated and at-risk youth. Currently, Ms. Salem teaches at the Santa Fe Art Institute, Golden Acorns Camp of Living Arts & Culture, the Garcia Street Club Preschool and a certified instructor for the KIDS FIRST! Film Critics Boot Camp.

46ceab7767 headshotMarlene Sharp - Guest Speaker, Los Angeles Camp
Marlene Sharp is a creative and business-savvy entertainment multi-hyphenate who originally hails from New Orleans, but is now a Valley girl. She currently is director, production at LEVEL-5 abby, home of Yo-Kai Watch, Inazuma Eleven, Snack World and Layton Detective Agency. As former producer, TV Series, at Sega of America, Marlene worked on much more than the Teen Choice Award-nominated cartoon Sonic Boom. For example, her Hedgehog duties took her to the heights of nerd-dom as an official San Diego Comic-Con 2017 panelist. As a freelance journalist, Marlene concentrates on popular entertainment for Geekified.net. As a short filmmaker, she has snagged recent prizes at the Canine Film Festival and the San Luis Obispo Film Festival. And as a human being, basically, she loves dogs.

 

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