No child’s play

Most parents today lose a good amount of sleep pondering over the unruly dominance of television,video games and films on their kids. While violence and risque material abound in the visual media,educative thought provokers are often relegated to yawn-inducing formats. In this world of digitally enhanced cartoon characters and mind-numbing special effects,comes an idea that seeks to redefine the approach to films for children. The ‘Filmi Chashma’ project,planted by Mumbai-based NGO Comet Media Foundation,aims to help teachers and educators use the medium of films constructively as a method of instruction.

The project will be assisted in Pune by the department of communication media for children of SNDT Women’s University,and Madhavi Kapur Foundation. To be kick-started in four cities,Mumbai,Pune,Delhi and Kolkata,a series of non-residential workshops titled ‘Tools in Schools’ will be held for six days spread over three weekends. The intervening period between the events is to stimulate individual experimentation in the applications taught. Teachers will get a lowdown on the rudiments of film-making,and also on how to use films and documentaries to the advantage of students. “The films that would come out of these workshops will be screened at the ‘Filmi Chasshma Utsav’ in 2011,” informs Radha Misra,professor and head of department of communication media for children at SNDT.

Another interesting branch of this overall programme will be a film-making camp for children. Children will be regaled,(and that’s different from being just taught!),with world-class short films and information on how to dissect their intricacies. No longer an esoteric skill to acquire in this camcorder age,kids will be re-acquainted with shooting,lighting,editing and other aspects of film-making. “We want to encourage a culture of films that is student-oriented and help the kids to enjoy them – either as critique or support. We want them to talk about films and learn from them. In this age,one cannot avoid the impact that films have on kids’ sensibilities. It makes sense then to capitalise on the benefits and help the children broaden their perspective,” adds Misra.

The children’s film-making workshop is open to kids in the age group of 12-16 years,and will be held from November 10 to 13 at Aman Setu school,Wagholi. The ‘Tools in Schools’ workshop is for school teachers to seek out. The training will start from November 3 and 4,and will be spread out to the following two weekends. Registrations are open.