The Entertainment Project, Inc.
30th Starz Film Festival
Reviews & Interviews
Kids from Excel Attend 30th Starz Denver Film Festival
Writer: Madera E. Rogers
Welcome to the comments and reviews of the youth team from Excel Academy. The film festival this year proved to be one of the most exciting and challenging for kids, and myself. First, I want to personally thank Mrs. Zimmermann for her assistance in allowing me into her classroom. The Excel Academy staff was gracious and made The Entertainment staff feel like we were at home. I thank you for this. To Mr. and Mrs. Miller, thank you for your endless energy and enthusiasm. You both were regarded as staff members. Thank you to the four days of stepping in as support photographer, videographer and team leaders. Thank you! To the kids who listened, learned lessons, stood up for your beliefs and showed what great human beings you are, I thank you for your trust in me. I am honored.
Director/Producer: Helen Hood Sheer of Jump Director: Rick Greenwald of Quantum Hoops |
The Movies That Made Us The Diving Bell and the Butterfly Quantum Hoops Jump Mr.Magorium's Wonder Emporium Run Granny Run |
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Writers: Nishann Miller, Devin Duerst and Madison Carroll
In one week, over 20 kids from Excel Academy will screen over eight films, interview more than six directors and filmmakers and have to meet editorial deadlines by Sunday night. Sounds like the real world. Right? “I think this is a great opportunity for kids to learn about a creative industry straight from people who are involved in the industry,” comments parent Kevin Miller whose daughter, Nishann Miller, a 7th grader, looks like a seasoned pro as she observes her with teammates: Devin Duerst and Madison Carroll as they are gathered in the main meeting room for filmmakers at the Starz Film Festival. The assignment: interview filmmaker/producer, Doug Pray of Surfwise.
“Parents and kids were all stressed, maybe even to the highest limit, but we managed to get through it. Waiting, and waiting, prepping and prepping. Those were the only two options before Doug Pray arrived. The interview started out smoothly. Madison introduced herself,” states Nishann Miller.
You may be asking yourself , kids interviewing film industry professionals? How is this possible? Over the past few days, kids from Excel Academy, Mrs. Zimmermann’s class have been spotted as reporters, reviewers and interviewers at the 30th Starz Denver Film Festival. This real world opportunity is one program of The Entertainment Project, Inc. A non-profit organization based in Denver, Colorado that provides to kids challenging learning experiences that connect kids to real world experiences and assignments that increase literacy and cultural experiences.
Do you have what it takes to be a winner? Is question asked by film reviewer, Devin Duerst a sixth grader? In the film, Run Granny Run, Doris Haddock, better known as Granny D, embarks on a mission to trek from Los Angeles to Washington D.C. at the age of 94. Remarkable as it sounds, it gets even better. Granny D sets out to demonstrate what democracy is all about, by running for U.S. Senator in New +-Hampshire. Sound interesting? It was! What a marvelous night we had, at the 30th Starz Denver Film Festival, at the screening of this film. This first night of the film festival there was electric excitement in the air. Everyone was nervous, because it was the first interview. I thoroughly enjoyed the movie and the chance to meet the star Doris Haddock, or Granny D. As part of the Entertainment Project, Inc. team, we also interviewed the director of the documentary Surfwise, Doug Pray. “I think this was a magnificent experience where we can learn things that we can’t learn in a classroom. If, according to Doug Pray, “the definition of a movie is to move the audience,” then I was definitely moved.”
“When Doug walked in I was so nervous. Twiddling my thumbs was the only option that went through my mind at that moment.” “Hello kind sir” were the first words from my mouth. Doug Pray sat down and I told him, “I am with The Entertainment Project for Whose Magazine.” I felt my stomach in a knot; I didn’t know what to say next!” comments Madison Carroll, 6th grader. I quickly figured out that I was a better writer/reviewer than an interviewer—that knot just wouldn’t go away and now it was in my throat, too. I did squeak out one really good question: “What keeps you going during your film and who is your inspiration?” His answer, “The idea is to finish the film, and then you start to care about the people who you are documenting.”