Description - Best friends Becca and Zoe help an old friend restore life to the Great Slumber Tree.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - I think this series could have a big following because it reminds me of famous kid shows, like the Baby Einstein series. The storyline is simple to understand and the 2D animation is cute.The story follows Becca and Zoe, two friends that help an elderly bear and three little bears find the sleepy fairies so the bears can hibernate easier. I like that the animated bears are different colors so we can easily tell them apart and that the story includes a rocket ship in space. I also like the story that the bears need fairy dust to sleep. The story line is most interesting when the bears are in space helping bears on Earth.
The point of view of the animation includes close-up shots as well as far away shots. It is neat seeing the rocket ship go out of frame in one of the scenes.
I like the pajamas on the little bears and the space gear (especially on the Robot Bear, voiced by Erica Opromollo) is cool. I like that one of the little bears has a yellow blanket with white stars. It is super cute. I like the scene of the elderly bear sitting in his chair with the little bears sitting on a green rug in front of him while there is a fire in the fireplace. It looks cozy to me. The music is upbeat and sets a fun tone to the film. It appears that possible relatives of the director, Mike Schleif make up the voice talent, since Madison Schleif and Julianna Schleif are listed in the credits. The little bears have cute little voices, so I like the voice talent. The animation is strong and simple, so it should translate to the big screen pretty well. The only thing I don't care for is how the bears walk as it is not very realistic. But, other than that, I'm a fan and recommend it for the KIDS FIRST! Film Festivals.
The message of the film is about helping others. My favorite character is the brown bear with the blanket (Lilli Mason) because she is so cute. I think her blanket won me over. I give this 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 3 to 9. Reviewed by Cadence G., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - I think this series could have a big following because it reminds me of famous kid shows, like the Baby Einstein series. The storyline is simple to understand and the 2D animation is cute.
The story follows Becca and Zoe, two friends that help an elderly bear and three little bears find the sleepy fairies so the bears can hibernate easier. I like that the animated bears are different colors so we can easily tell them apart and that the story includes a rocket ship in space. I also like the story that the bears need fairy dust to sleep. The story line is most interesting when the bears are in space helping bears on Earth.
The point of view of the animation includes close-up shots as well as far away shots. It is neat seeing the rocket ship go out of frame in one of the scenes.
I like the pajamas on the little bears and the space gear (especially on the Robot Bear, voiced by Erica Opromollo) is cool. I like that one of the little bears has a yellow blanket with white stars. It is super cute. I like the scene of the elderly bear sitting in his chair with the little bears sitting on a green rug in front of him while there is a fire in the fireplace. It looks cozy to me. The music is upbeat and sets a fun tone to the film. It appears that possible relatives of the director, Mike Schleif make up the voice talent, since Madison Schleif and Julianna Schleif are listed in the credits. The little bears have cute little voices, so I like the voice talent. The animation is strong and simple, so it should translate to the big screen pretty well. The only thing I don't care for is how the bears walk as it is not very realistic. But, other than that, I'm a fan and recommend it for the KIDS FIRST! Film Festivals.
The message of the film is about helping others. My favorite character is the brown bear with the blanket (Lilli Mason) because she is so cute. I think her blanket won me over. I give this 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 3 to 9. Reviewed by Cadence G., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic
Juror Recommended Age: 3-9
Suggested Retail Price: $
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ASTA'S JOURNEY - FREIA TITLAND
Series: SCREENPLAY, AGES 7-10
Description - A film steeped in Norse mythology and folklore, Asta's Journey tells the story of a young girl on the eve of her 9th birthday. Asta's wishes come true as she embarks on an adventure through a magical forest in order to save a new friend.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - This story is based on a young girl and fairy tales and it is entertaining. I really like the characters and the story flows well. I also like the gentle reminder of when you lose someone special they are not forgotten. I give this 3 stars out of 5 and recommend it for children ages 7 through 10. It is engaging and I like the dialogue. The downside is there just may not be enough adventure to keep some children's interest and it is somewhat predictable. Reviewed by D.B., KIDS FIRST! Juror
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - This story is based on a young girl and fairy tales and it is entertaining. I really like the characters and the story flows well. I also like the gentle reminder of when you lose someone special they are not forgotten. I give this 3 stars out of 5 and recommend it for children ages 7 through 10. It is engaging and I like the dialogue. The downside is there just may not be enough adventure to keep some children's interest and it is somewhat predictable. Reviewed by D.B., KIDS FIRST! Juror
Juror Recommended Age: 7-10
Suggested Retail Price: $
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CASTLE - RACHEL DOMAN
Series: SCREENPLAY, AGES 12-18
Description - Castle follows a young girl, Raegan, struggling with Asperger's Syndrome when she is taken in by her school chess club led by popular Kennedy. An unlikely friendship between the two girls and the game reveals an sanguine alliance between Raegan's unique mind and the game of chess and forces Kennedy to adapt, and thrive, in developing society beyond the basic social dynamics of school and develop a new human connection.When a devastating meltdown puts their relationship to a heightened test, the bitter truth of reality sets in.
The theme of human connection is imagined through a castle rooted in a heroic fairytale from Raegan's past and evolves an inspiring journey from a childhood dream.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - At first, I wasn't quite sure if young Raegan had Asperger's because there are only a couple of subtle hints. I like that the script really portrays what it may be like to be a girl with Asperger's and how difficult it is to make friends. I like the characters and felt they represented teenagers quite well. It is insightful and may teach an understanding for those on the spectrum. I found the story unique and appropriate for ages 12 through 18. I also liked the descriptive writing style and give this 3.5 out of 5 stars. Reviewed by Denise B., KIDS FIRST! Juror
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - At first, I wasn't quite sure if young Raegan had Asperger's because there are only a couple of subtle hints. I like that the script really portrays what it may be like to be a girl with Asperger's and how difficult it is to make friends. I like the characters and felt they represented teenagers quite well. It is insightful and may teach an understanding for those on the spectrum. I found the story unique and appropriate for ages 12 through 18. I also liked the descriptive writing style and give this 3.5 out of 5 stars. Reviewed by Denise B., KIDS FIRST! Juror
Juror Recommended Age: 12-18
Suggested Retail Price: $
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DAWN RIDGE - ELIZABETH ADAMS
Series: SCREENPLAY, AGES 7-10
Description - DAWN RIDGE explores a young boy's feelings about losing his family home. Wyatt rows up in a special place - a fantastic old western ranch that once hosted hundreds of visitors a day, but is no longer as popular in a world that has forgotten the lure of six-shooters and lassos. Wyatt's ??fascination with the ??abled Lost Adams ??old sends on him on a journey to save the property and remain on the ranch. From bedtime to horse chases, his living?? room becomes the rowdy saloon it was meant to be. DAWN RIDGE rides head-first into the ??feelings of?? loss, ??growth, and love that come with ??getting older.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - What is missing are more specific details about why the family of three is moving away from the old west type of town. I did understand that the Mother and Father are most likely not making enough money and are in the red, so to speak. But all I learned is that they are moving somewhere with snow so that will be a new adventure. I like the use of imagination and found the over all dialogue entertaining, but the theme isn't as original as I would like. There is a slight message of being positive about the future but that isn't a strong message either. It is appropriate for ages 7 through 10. I give this 2.5 out of 5 stars. Over all, the characters are a strong point but I would like more of a story.
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - What is missing are more specific details about why the family of three is moving away from the old west type of town. I did understand that the Mother and Father are most likely not making enough money and are in the red, so to speak. But all I learned is that they are moving somewhere with snow so that will be a new adventure. I like the use of imagination and found the over all dialogue entertaining, but the theme isn't as original as I would like. There is a slight message of being positive about the future but that isn't a strong message either. It is appropriate for ages 7 through 10. I give this 2.5 out of 5 stars. Over all, the characters are a strong point but I would like more of a story.
Juror Recommended Age: 7-10
Suggested Retail Price: $
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SPEED BAG - JOSEPH EDWARDS
Series: SCREENPLAY, AGES 10-18
Description - Speed Bag tells the story through the eyes of a young boy that falls prey to bullying. At the brink of hopelessness, he discovers a mystical speed bag that teaches him an extraordinary skillset. Through the support of his mother, a former boxing coach and the neighborhood grocery store owner he learns that a compassionate heart is more powerful than a clinched fist.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - This is more than your typical teenage bully drama where good wins over the bad. There's a magical twist to it. The characters are well developed and aren't just a group of undefined teenagers. I really like Mr. Earl and Freddie's Mom and feel they are very positive characters in this story. All of the dialogue is realistic and naturally flows. I like how the conflict is resolved. It is quite appropriate for ages 12 to 18. I give this 4 out of 5 stars because it is engaging and has a message that being a bully really isn't okay and is also refreshing that the bully learns what it is like to be bullied first hand without the story being too violent. Very nicely written.
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - This is more than your typical teenage bully drama where good wins over the bad. There's a magical twist to it. The characters are well developed and aren't just a group of undefined teenagers. I really like Mr. Earl and Freddie's Mom and feel they are very positive characters in this story. All of the dialogue is realistic and naturally flows. I like how the conflict is resolved. It is quite appropriate for ages 12 to 18. I give this 4 out of 5 stars because it is engaging and has a message that being a bully really isn't okay and is also refreshing that the bully learns what it is like to be bullied first hand without the story being too violent. Very nicely written.
Juror Recommended Age: 10-18
Suggested Retail Price: $
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HERE BE DRAGONS - STEVE BRUMWELL
Series: SCREENPLAY, AGES 12-18
Description - After discovering a mysterious old hermit in an abandoned coal mine, four friends searching for their missing classmate team up with him to fight off the machinations of a local businessman using dark magic to further his sinister ambitions. A young boy who has lost his belief in magic, an old man who has lost his faith in humanity....together they must face down a powerful evil.... When their classmate goes missing, four pre-teen friends set off into the wild countryside outside their remote Welsh village where they stumble into a disused coal mine. Inside they are terrified by the presence of a decrepit old hermit who looks at least a hundred years old and smells like a thousand cigar smokers. They run in fear and soon find themselves lost in the cavernous and obsidian dark of the mine, to their surprise the Old Man finds them and leads them to the exit. They explain about their missing friend but the Old Man has heard or seen nothing of him. He tells the friends he is waiting for something or someone but cannot remember what it is, just that he knows he is supposed to be here right at this moment.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - I really enjoyed the story and I have to admit that, besides Harry Potter, I am not big on stories of dragons and warlocks. This was engaging and entertaining and I really like how well the conflict is resolved. The characters are engaging and the dialogue holds your attention, especially the humor. There is also a message of friendship and teamwork and good winning over evil. I give this 3.5 points out of 5 and recommend for ages 12 through 18 years old.
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - see adult comments
Juror Recommended Age: 12-18
Suggested Retail Price: $
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TROPHY HUNTER - BILL JARCHO
Series: INDIE SHORT, AGES 8-18
Description - A little boy with a BB gun fantasizes of being a big game hunter. Selected: 9th Balne�rio Cambori� International Film Festival; International Film Festival of Larissa
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Wow, I am such a fan of Sean Burns' work. Kubo and the Two Strings is one of my all-time favorite animated films. It is so brilliant. He is brilliant. Thanks for submitting your short film to our festival. We are honored. This short film tackles a not uncommon situation of a boy with a love for playing with guns. We watch him stalk the wildlife in his own backyard until he finally gets a hit, leaving him unsatisfied and aware of the value of living things. The animation is remarkable in its attention to details and beautiful color palette. The music and sound effects are spot on. The storyline is told without dialog and we get the message loud and clear. My favorite part is when the boy realizes he did wrong by killing the bird. It's heart-breaking. My second favorite part is watching him discard the gun by the tree and seeing the tree grow year by year, season by season. Beautiful piece. 5 out of 5 stars. Recommended for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. Reviewed by Ethan P. and Julie S., KIDS FIRST! Jurors.
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - see adult review
Juror Recommended Age: 8-18
Suggested Retail Price: $
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KARMA OF BOCCE, THE - DUNCAN PUTNEY
Series: SCREENPLAY, AGES 8-18
Description - A young boy meets a young girl at a local park. They watch her grandfather and his elderly friends play bocce as she reads the boy a story, his imagination is set free and he watches the heavens move with every toss in the old men's game.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - This is an engaging short with a powerful message about the importance of having an imagination. The characters are very descriptive. I felt as if I could picture them and their dialogue is very real and easy to relate to. I recommend this for ages appropriate for ages 8 to 18 and adults. I can see this on the big screen and I give this 4 stars out of 5. Very well written.
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - see adult comments
Juror Recommended Age: 8-18
Suggested Retail Price: $
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LISTIES WORK FOR PEANUTS, THE - EPISODE 3 - ASH COTTRELL
Series: FOREIGN SHORT, AGES 8-12
Description - THE LISTIES are odd couple housemates who love to have adventures. Just staying alive can be a fun challenge for them, literally. Recently, Matt was worried he was dying. He thought his bum was broken - there was a crack down the middle. On top of this their landlady, an impossibly high achieving and quick witted eight year old ABERNATHY PEANUTS, won't stop hammering on the door with a list of demands - well it's more a list of DEMAND seeing as there's only one thing on the list: PAY YOUR RENT! The Listies have got bills, bills, bills so they need to get to werk, werk, werk! The only thing is, they're not exactly what you would call employable. In fact they've been fired from literally every proper job they've ever had, (apart from when they were human cannonballs, when they weren't fired, because they didn't fire, so they were fired (if you catch my drift). In every episode of THE LISTIES WORK FOR PEANUTS, Matt and Rich have to get a job to pay their rent to their eight year old landlord, Abernathy Peanuts - and if they don't... they'll be out on their BEEPs!
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Where to start. This is episode 3 of a series so you don't quite know the backstory, but it doesn't hamper understanding this clip. It is well produced and quite current in terms of the social media maven/influencer that hires the two goofy guys for her campaign. The topic of replacing poo for chocolate certainly has no socially redeeming value to it, but it is funny and kids would get a kick out to it. It works for kid and family festivals for a bit of comic relief. The camera work is very good. The actors are spot on, especially the "odd couple." Love the visual graphics. Fun. I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 12. Reviewed by Julie S., KIDS FIRST! Juror
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - see adult comments
Juror Recommended Age: 8-12
Suggested Retail Price: $
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SARAH MACDOUGAL MEETS THE GHOST OF BEETHOVEN - KEVIN REEVES
Series: FOREIGN SHORT, AGES 4-14
Description - A disenfranchised girl is bored with life until the ghost of Beethoven appears and sparks a renewed interest in the piano, her friends, and life in general.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - This is a sweet story about a girl and the power of music to inspire. It's fun to see Beethoven portrayed in modern day as a ghost. The music is beautiful! The story is about a young girl reluctantly learning to play Beethoven's music who meets the ghost of Beethoven who befriends her, teaches her how to play better and inspires a love of classical music and adds a spark to her life.The story is a bit predictable and the pace is a bit slow. However, the photography and color palate are very pleasing. A scene where Sarah plays the Moonlight Sonata in front of an audience is particularly well shot. The modern day dress for the girl works fine and Beethoven's attire seems true to his time. The sets are varied, from the home to school to an auditorium to outside in a park, all very pleasing. The music is very well-played and definitely drives the story, given that it is essential to the plot. The ghost appears and disappears and the visual effects are fine although subdued. The two main actors playing Sarah and Beethoven perform quite well. Tere are some nice scenes with Sarah and her friends who want her to play soccer with them instead of practice the piano, but by the end they come to appreciate her talent. The production design is very good. Visually the film would look fine on a big screen, but its short-comings, such as slow pacing, may be more apparent than on a TV screen or computer. The message of the film is about being open to new experiences and you might become inspired. Good friends will stick by you even if you need to spend time on something other than them. I particularly enjoyed learning details about Beethoven, such as that his Moonlight Sonata was named by someone after he died and not by Beethoven himself and that, in anger, he once threw an unwanted entree at a waiter! My favorite part is when Beethoven tells Sarah he wants to rewrite a section of his famous Moonlight Sonata.
It's a sweet story and Sarah's relationship with her friends is nicely portrayed. Also, the music is beautiful and it might inspire some young viewers to take playing piano seriously. I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 4 to 14. Reviewed by Michael F. and Julie S., KIDS FIRST! jurors.
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - see adult review
Juror Recommended Age: 4-14
Suggested Retail Price: $
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CLYDE AND BEAR - ARAM KATZ
Series: SCREENPLAY, AGES 9-18
Description - One was a boy with no friends. The other was a dog, abandoned and forgotten. Together, they built a bond that could never be broken and shared adventures that they would remember for a lifetime.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - At first, I wasn't sure what to expect when I started reading about bearlike aliens and when I found out it is a boy's game and use of his imagination, I found the story much more intriguing. The characters are easy to relate to and are a strong point of the screenplay. The bullying seemed a bit over the top at first and then it fit with the story. My favorite characters are Bear and Clyde's mom, but all the characters are engaging. It teaches kids a lesson about bullying and also about friendship. Even with a talking dog it feels very real and, although I would have really liked to know if Bear lives, it still has a very good ending. I give this screenplay 3 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 9 through 18. Some adults may even learn something about compassion and friendship. Reviewed by Denise B, KIDS FIRST! Juror
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - see adult comments
Juror Recommended Age: 9-18
Suggested Retail Price: $
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L'HARMONIE DE LA VIE - PHILIP MARCOCCIO
Series: SCREENPLAY, AGES 8-18
Description - PAR Avion AIRMAIL, a teachers intuition, kindred spirits, and true love . The harmony of life at work in the lives of two children.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - This is a sweet, simple short that is about friendship and love. I liked that it starts at present day and then goes back to 1965 when the two main characters are only 8 years old. It is an appropriate love story for ages 8 through adult. Its main benefit is entertainment but it also teaches about love, hope and friendship. It made me smile and I like the characters and their dialogue and how well the story flowed. I give this 4 out of 5 stars and recommend for ages 8 through 18, plus adults. Reviewed by Denise B., KIDS FIRST! Juror.
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - see adult review
Juror Recommended Age: 8-18
Suggested Retail Price: $
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BECOMING LANA LIU - DAVID J SCHROEDER
Series: SCREENPLAY, AGES 12-18
Description - Lana Liu, disguised as a boy, enters a Chinese martial arts academy, only to be discovered. She fights to support her grandmother, and begin her journey to the home of her father, the USA.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - This is a short screenplay about a teenage girl who, as Shi Fu says, "will go far." I really enjoyed the characters and the dialogue is engaging and believable. It is most suited for teenagers and young adults. It is entertaining and it teaches an important lesson. I give it 3.5 out of 5 points and look forward to seeing even more about Lana Liu. Reviewed by Denise B., KIDS FIRST! Juror.
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - see adult comments
Juror Recommended Age: 12-18
Suggested Retail Price: $
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RUPERT BECOMES - DAVID J SCHROEDER
Series: SCREENPLAY, AGES 12-18
Description - A pink Irish ogre, RUBERT, discovers his origin and creators in an animation studio.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Rubert is a pink ogre who sports a bowler hat and dances through the forest. Although he seems a bit dazed and confused, he learns a lesson about existentialism. I found the characters quite likable, although I admit my prejudice to being a big butterfly fan. I recommend this for teenagers and college students as it would be a great introduction to learning about free will and this philosophy concept. I think it would be best shown in a classroom setting but that may just be the teacher in me. I found this original and engaging and rank it 3.5 out of 5 stars.
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - see adult comments
Juror Recommended Age: 12-18
Suggested Retail Price: $
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FLYBOY - TREVOR LAWRENCE
Series: SCREENPLAY, AGES 8-18
Description - In the vile orphanages of the 1940s there flourishes a monthly flying class whose devious design is to keep overcrowded children docile by toying with the imagination. The program is a rousing success until one child does the unthinkable, and sparks a revolution.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - This script has an original theme and is inspirational with its message of hope. Its greatest strength is the message of hope and a happy ending. It flows well especially from the middle to the ending. The weakness is that it took me more than a few pages to get into it and understand exactly what was going on and I feel that this may be the case with many people. The characters are well developed and the story flows quite well, especially from the middle to the end. There are very few punctuation, grammatical or spelling mistakes. I found the theme interesting. I recommend for ages 12 though 18. This script has it all, from conflict to bad to good to friendship. I give it 3 out of 5 stars. Reviewed by Denise B., KIDS FIRST! Juror
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - see adult comments
Juror Recommended Age: 8-18
Suggested Retail Price: $
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OGGLESWOG THE DRAGON - MONIQUE AMADO
Series: SCREENPLAY, AGES 5-18
Description - An isolated and wingless dragon is transformed through his friendship with a brave and compassionate young girl.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - I wasn't sure what to expect with a fantasy story about a talking dragon and I was pleasantly surprised. The characters are very likable and easy to relate to. The story is quite solid and flows well. It is quite entertaining and has some very important moral lessons that most children in today's world need to learn, especially about judging others and that violence is not always the answer. I give this 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for children ages 8 through 18. Reviewed by Denise B., KIDS FIRST! Adult Juror.
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - see adult comments
Juror Recommended Age: 8-18
Suggested Retail Price: $
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DOOR, THE - ROBERT COX
Series: SCREENPLAY, AGES 9-18
Description - Carl is an eleven year old with serious health problems. He has a brain tumor that he is being treated for, but the loss of hair and the fear the other children in his class have of him has made his life even more miserable. The constant teasing and shunning he receives makes him dread going to school. His mother and he have moved in with his grandfather when his Carl's own father deserts them, after telling his wife and son that he can't deal with the strain of caring for a sick child. At his chemo treatment, he meets Evan, a boy about his age who has leukemia and is also undergoing chemo. They begin a friendship that make their illnesses easier to bear and makes even the problems Carl has had in school easier to take. Evan's friendship with Carl has a benefit as well. Carl, with a little help from his grandfather, coaxes Michael, Evan's father, into allowing Evan to go trick or treating., something he has never done. This clears the way for a relaxing of the over protectiveness Michael has shown in the past. Carl's grandfather passes away, and soon afterward, a door begins to appear in Carl's room, pushing out of the wall, a door only he is able to see. Carl's grandfather spoke earlier to him of how dying was like opening a door between one room and another and Carl is convinced that his grandfather is waiting for him on the other side of that door, but there is also the fear that it is only a manifestation of his illness. As Carl's health declines, Evan, who is also losing the struggle with his own illness, confesses to Carl that since he has only his father for family, that when he dies there will be no one waiting for him and that that the thought of being alone frightens him. Carl promises that he will not leave Evan alone, calming his friend's fears. Seeing that the door is fully formed and thinking that he doesn't have much time left, Carl begs his mother for a favor; a drive around town to look at the Christmas lights. Michael, who has become an important part of the family, bundles Carl up and carries him to the car. The four of them drive around, looking at the lights, Evan excited by the sights and Carl knowing that he may be for seeing them for the last time. Then, late one night, the door opens.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - I really enjoyed reading this script because it was realistic and it flows really well. The characters are a real strength in the script and I could really picture every single character. I like that it takes some really tough subjects like death, cancer and a parent abandoning his wife and child when times get tough and actually is not just sad but empowering and positive. Reviewed by Denise B., KIDS FIRST! Juror
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - see adult comments
Juror Recommended Age: 9-18
Suggested Retail Price: $
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CONCERT, THE - STEVEN PROWSE
Series: SCREENPLAY, AGES 12-18
Description - A group of kids try to prove their grandfathers' innocence of the largest theft of artwork in history. A small budget project that has already won four screenplay competitions last year.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Greatest strengths are the story line and the tween characters. The dialogue is pretty believable. The setting in Boston is appropriate. It's a cross between Goonies and Oceans 11, with tween heroes and contemporary twists. The kids use their technology to do research and track down the culprits in the story, making it very contemporary. They play detective in an effort to clear their grandfather's good name. 8 of 10 points. The screenplay makes a lot of sense until it comes to a conclusion on page 64 but then circles back to recount the last portion of the story, almost play by play. That does not make sense. We already come to a conclusion and then it's recapped. A bit of that might make sense but not to the degree shown here. Kenzie is the strongest character both as leader of the "band of 5" and the granddaughter of Harry Miller. The other kids are pretty well developed though none stands out as much as Kenzie does. Herne the cop is fairly well developed but the others don't stand out much. Kenzie's wit and good nature are well played and Herne is the brute of her jokes at times. In terms of pro-social modeling, Kenzie exemplifies her love of family in wanting to clear her grandfather's name. She is also a positive role model when dealing with her peers in the "band of 5." Again, it is Kenzie's lead to investigate and solve the mystery of the missing artwork as well as the scholarship funds. She is relentless. The ending is horribly messy. It ends at page 64 and then starts back in again. It's almost as if the writer forgot to delete that version of events. I didn't see any glaring grammar or spelling errors. I do have some issues with mild profanity (Damned, pg. 30) and inappropriate language for youth (I needed that. Was it good for you too.) (wife having an affair with their accountant). Just unnecessary in a script geared for a youth audience. YES - Meets or exceeds the KF criteria, is appealing and engaging. For the most part, I found this screenplay well thought out and well written. I could easily visualize it transformed into a film on the big screen. The characters are engaging and interesting. They storyline is appealing. The shortcomings are some mild profanity, inappropriate language with sexual references and an awkward ending. If those are fixed, I would give it a higher score. As it is now, I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars and accept it for KIDS FIRST!
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - see adult review
Juror Recommended Age: 12-18
Suggested Retail Price: $
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PLACE OF THE GODS,THE - STEPHAN VINCENT BENET
Series: SCREENPLAY, AGES 12-18
Description - Considered to be forbidden by the villagers, main character Surreal is guided by her instincts and regardless sets out on her own to discover "The Place of the Gods." Once there, she comes across significant realizations.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - I rate this 3 out of 5 points, because it lacks a strong storyline and substance. Although it is based on a short story by Stephan Vincent Benet, not everyone has read this story. I am not sure if all teenagers will get what's going on here and it is most suitable for teens. Recommended age: 12-18 It lacks a strong story line and focus. Although I get the main point, I don't easily picture it on the big screen. It is an interesting read but feels that it needs more of a story line. From the stand point of a script, I feel as if I was reading a book or essay, not a screenplay because there are so many descriptive words of what is going on. Stronger dialogue would help a lot. The target audience is for older teens and adults, since it is after the world is pretty much destroyed. The storyline needs further development. It lacks strong direction and sort of fizzles out without taking us anywhere. I rate this 3 points because the storyline needs more work. It shows how the protagonist realizes that the Presidents were human, not Gods. But it also insinuates that they were not intelligent and I had a hard time with this reasoning. Presidents such as Lincoln and Washington were not Gods, only men. I don't think the theme is strong enough. There should be more of a main point. I give this 10 points out of 25, because the storyline is not a strong and lacks development. I could see this developing into something very interesting, but as it is we just get a glimpse of one scene. I would like to see the writer develop this into a full length script. The characters lack depth. The main character, SURREAL is the strongest and although the other characters are minor, I would like to see them more developed. I didn't really feel like I got to know or understand them. I rate this aspect with 6 points. This is where it is really lacking. I give this 6 points. I don't feel that it gives children a real understanding of the world, especially with the focus of how Presidents were before the apocalypse. There is a lesson, but it is not strong. The story line really needs more development. Surreal seems to think that life in her day is much more intelligent, but, I don't see how SURREAL really proves that in the script. I wouldn't say that the script encourages questioning or probing. It could, with more development. It is suitable for the intended age group. The storyline needs more substance and a reason for its purpose. I would like to see a stronger focus and I would to see teenagers curious about the purpose of the story. There are not too many grammar and spelling mistakes. Qualified yes. Meets KIDS FIRST! criteria. Needs more work. It's possible that if I read the short story this script is based on, I might better appreciate the adaptation. However, a screenplay should stand on its own and not require the reader or viewer (once produced) to go back to the original source material. I accept this with the caveat that this is a good start, but needs further development. As it is, I do not find the story line strong enough. The main character is likable, but I the minor characters lack development as does the entire story line. It's a good start.
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - see adult comments
Juror Recommended Age: 12-18
Suggested Retail Price: $
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MONSTER COMMANDOS - JERMAINE JONES
Series: SCREENPLAY, AGES 13-=18
Description - Five pre-teens use SWAT Team tactics to stop monsters from invading their neighborhood. The Spirit of Fear is an evil spirit from the Land of Torment who cruelly conquered the peaceful world of Meerkaworld - the land of the Meerkats. After seizing their Earthworld Portal Key, he opened up the portal from the Monsterworld to Planet Earth to launch his monsters upon the planet to terrorize children. But in the process of opening the portal, the portal key was swooped in and lost on Earth. The Spirit of Fear feeds off children's fear in order to grow bigger and more powerful everyday until he himself can enter Earth and be able to put fear into all of Earth's people. Several of the Meerkats were able to escape his reign into Earth where the Meerkats' alpha male leader formed a five member team to stall the Spirit of Fear's scheme until the Earthworld Key is found...the Monster Commandos
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - I wasn't sure what to expect when I first started reading this. I understood that it was about a team called Monster Commandos and was pleasantly surprised to find out that it's about a group of teens. The story line is creative and flows well. The development of the characters shines through. The characters are my favorite part of the script. It is entertaining and treads lightly on family issues such as abuse and divorce. I would have liked to see more of a resolution between Justin and his abusive Mom, but in reality there isn't always a happy ending. I give this 3 out of 5 stars recommend it for ages 13 though 18. Happy to give this a KIDS FIRST! endorsement. Reviewed by Denise B., KIDS FIRST! Juror.
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - see adult comments
Juror Recommended Age: 9-15
Suggested Retail Price: $
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