Northwest Vision and Media, create the bigger picture
Film Street
'Mouse, Camera, Action' - Inspiring the filmmakers of the future
A group of eight and nine-year-old filmmakers will see their movies broadcast to the world. The films, which they have scripted, acted in and filmed, will be watched by thousands of children via a new website; Film Street.
Siobhan, aged nine, is one of the filmmakers. "I had a phone call from my Grandad. He asked when my film is going to be on the internet. It's really hit my family - I've never been on the internet or TV before."
Film Street is an exciting new website designed to unlock the imaginations of six to nine-year-olds, introduce the joys of film and encourage expression through film making.
Film Street has been commissioned by Culture Online, part of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and developed by First Light, the UK Film Council's young people's initiative. Partners include CBBC, the British Film Institute, the UK Film Council and Creative Partnerships. The site has been designed by Atticmedia, which specialises in creating interactive educational content for children.
The website is packed with interactive activities, movie-making ideas and expert advice. Children can choose a character and explore the site to discover how to edit, animate and use special effects. A Film Street cinema previews the latest releases online and here children can even broadcast their own films to the world.
Paige, aged eight, is in Year 4 at Deepcar St John's C of E Junior School in Sheffield. She's been using Film Street to make movies with classmates. "My best bit so far was being in the actual film. In my bedroom I pretend I'm a film star. I've
been a real film star in Film Street. When I'm older I'd like to be an actress."
A dedicated teacher and parent section provides a wealth of information, lesson and activity plans and downloadable resources. The project will link to strategies relating to curriculum enrichment, literacy and the Primary National Strategy.
Hannah Jackson, ICT Co-ordinator and teacher at Deepcar St John's C of E Junior School has been using Film Street with her class. She believes that film is an effective way to introduce plot lines and says, "The kids interact with film clips so much better than text. They can pick out more readily the aspects you want them to pick out. They are more used to the medium of film.'"
Research indicates that internet access increases rapidly for children between the ages of five and 11, with 83% of children in this age range using a computer at home and 85% using one at school [Childwise]. Film Street has been designed so it can be used in the classroom, at home or at an after-school club.
As a parent, Becky Parry is excited about how the site can help with her children's learning at home. "My children love the characters and the humour of the site and keep returning to the activities. It's great to find a site that is creative and fun and encourages them to be curious about film. There are lots of activities we can do together and we can't wait to submit our finished work to the site"'
For more information about Film Street, images or interviews
please contact Clare Lewis:
Telephone: 0121 693 2091 M: 07967792358 Email: clare@firstlightmovies.com
