Dramatic Play

Last year, I had the great fortune of working as a Graduate Teaching Assistant at Eliot-Pearson Children's School. While there, I learned about dramatic play. As a theater artist, this was so new to me! What was the difference between dramatic play and drama in the classroom? That is a topic I hope to write about in the future and will not dive into right now, BUT I did learn about how important and empowering it is for children to experiment with roles and status through their play.

While strolling around the Times Square Toys 'R Us (yes, I realize what an insane idea that was), I came across some children's television merchandise. I was so excited to see the Super Why! character costumes called "role play kits." I have always been a big fan of the show and of the company that produces it, Out of the Blue. The founder, Angela Santomero, comes from both a production and research/education background, something I aspire to. Seeing this merchandise made me feel as if someone out there is making sure that licensing is happening AND it's also quality play materials for children. Bravo!

To buy yours:
http://www.amazon.com/Learning-Curve-Brands-Super-Why/dp/B0024FW7LO/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1282163548&sr=1-5

Backpack, Backpack!

I'm spending my summer at Nick, Jr. this year, and today is a big day. We're celebrating Dora's birthday. With a new TV special on Nick next week, we are very excited! Times Square is filled with advertisements for the special that commemorates Dora's 10th year on television. Below is a really interesting article I found on the NY Times site...enjoy!

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/09/business/media/09dora.html

Creating a Logo

As a young person entering the field of children’s media, I’ve tried to ask as many questions of as many people in the business as possible. Each person I’ve spoken with has contributed to my development as a professional in some unique way. My introductory experiences in the field have led me to become someone who is actually called upon to answer questions for young people who have a budding interest in educational television. I so appreciate these inquiries and feel like I’m creating a network of future artists, producers, writers, and thinkers. These conversations and experiences have inspired me to write more about my production process. Today’s entry is about something I’m currently working on: creating a logo.

When I began working on my Rogers project, I had a really specific idea for a logo. I enlisted the help of an old NYU friend and amazing animator Rachel Yonda. Our process was fairly simple. I sent Rachel some sketches of my ideas with color suggestions. She sent me back 6 options: 3 variations on my sketch and 3 new ideas (she is brilliant!). I loved one of them and began stamping it on everything: contracts, the story bible, and scripts. I thought I was the luckiest gal in the world when IKEA began selling the exact fabric I was looking for as my scenic backdrop. It perfectly matched my logo and my vision of the set.

On the day of the big fabric purchase, I visited IKEA and prepared for my fabric’s homecoming. Much to my dismay, all local IKEA stores were nearly sold out of my print. I. LOST. IT. I started yelling, crying, and gnawing at Swedish-inspired throw pillows. After a meltdown on a display Karlstad loveseat, I realized a different color would actually work better and solve my costume/set ish that I was stressing over. I put on my big girl pants, wiped away my tears, and began measuring.

I had one big problem, though: the logo. My beautiful logo would have to be changed and, with it, all my paperwork. Ugh! Rachel was very accommodating to my new ideas and provided me with some options that complimented them. We experimented with different color schemes and finally created something even better than what we had started with.

This process really taught me how important it is to remain calm and be flexible. No more IKEA freak outs…for now. I also have come to further appreciate the kindness and hard work of my talented friends. I look forward to posting visual representations of Rachel and my process once the project is fully completed!

Money Talks...

I've been thinking a lot about money recently...especially after reading Josh Selig's latest blog entry on Planet Preschool. I feel so fortunate to have funding for my current project. I realize, however, that a future life for live-action children's television is limited. I don't think that animation is much cheaper, but it seems more profitable particularly when thinking about international markets. Ugh! What's a girl to do?!

Thanks to children's media know-it-all (I mean this sincerely...the man knows everything) David Kleeman, I came across this interesting project. DinosaurUS ExplorUS is a new project being developed independently. This production company is raising money online in order to produce its first pilot. I'm impressed, shocked, and interested. I wonder if this is the future of production capital. Please read up, share your thoughts, and spread the word about this innovative idea!

The Day I Decided to Take Over the World

Each morning on my commute, I pass a magazine stand. I'm so tempted to grab an issue to read on the bus, but then I think of how expensive magazines are and how little I'm bringing in as a children's media intern. I've had my eye on the issue of Wired featuring Pixar. A great alternative to buying the magazine is looking up the article on their website. I'm sure this will cost me money some day in the near future.
I've always been one to pull pictures out of catalogs or obsess over small objects on websites or stories people tell. Years later, these things continue to inspire or motivate me. It doesn't happen very often, but it's magical when it does. I had this feeling when I read the Pixar article and subsequently checked out their website. I love how they describe their company and seem to create a happy and creative environment for their employees. Today I've decided that this article came to me for a reason. I'd really like to work for Pixar...to actually be one of those happy employees. At the least, however, I think I'd like to create this kind of working environment if I ever run my own production company. I'd have Legos in the break room, dogs under cubicles, and scooters to get from one part of the office to the other.
I've spent a lot of time this week thinking about whether I'd like to work for someone else or take a huge risk and work for myself next year. It's nice to have goals, but I'm going to let this one work itself out. I think whatever is meant to be will be, and the best I can do today and tomorrow is produce an awesome and active program for kids.

Applied Experience

It's been a while since I've written anything. I've spent all of my time since mid-May working as producer and writer for my Rogers Scholarship project. Last week I also started as an intern for Nick Jr. It's been busy but incredibly exciting and a great learning experience! I've really been trying to educate myself about the business. In addition to reading Josh Selig's Planet Preschool blog, I've also been looking up articles in newspapers and magazines. I was really excited to come across this article about Disney's Phineas and Ferb. I've heard about the show through enthusiastic kindergarten students. It looks like the company is really trying to capitalize on its blossoming popularity. This article seems to have some amazing marketing tips and has provided me with a different point-of-view on the children's entertainment industry.

Vacation...

It has been a long time since my last post. I've been finishing both my semester and my first full-year teaching position. I'm particularly proud of completing my very first story bible! It's printed and bound and ready for review! I nailed down cameras today (woohoo HD!) and MUST find a shooting location by next week. I have a few more places to look, but I never thought it would be so hard. NYU had so many spaces to work in and there was almost always something available. It seems like there's much more red tape to go through here. I'm hoping to have a place by next week...look for a new post with pictures!

I've been telling my students Pearl stories this year. Pearl stories are oral stories about a tiny mermaid...kind of a cross between a mermaid and Thumbelina. My mom used to tell them to us each summer. We loved them! Sure enough, my kids love them too. As their summer gift, I've edited a story book film for them. Maybe this is the first step in getting Pearl produced?

Hope you like the story as much as my students do!