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KIDS FIRST! NEWS 2003
Turning your TV Time into Quality Time
December 29, 2003 Issue #9
Ranny Levy, Editor
[email protected]
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IN THIS ISSUE
1. Letter from the Editor
2. What is a KIDS FIRST® Juror?
By Christine. L. Pollock
3. Media News
4. Events, news, special events
5. Classifieds
6. Subscribe/un-subscribe
* Permission to forward or reprint the content herein is granted with
complete attribution.
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Welcome to KIDS FIRST! NEWS. All articles are by Coalition for Quality
Children's Media unless otherwise noted.
QUOTE OF THE MONTH
In daily life, there is so much to do and so little time. You many feel pressured
to run all the time. Just stop! Touch the ground of the present moment and you
will touch peace and joy. -Thich Nhat Hanh.
Dear Friends,
Happy holidays and best wishes for a wonderful new year.
I’ve just spent several days with friends and family - including my two
darling grand children. Isn’t this what holidays are for? It’s also
a time of reflection about the year that’s passed and the year that looms
before us. For KIDS FIRST! we’ve made so many changes this year that it
seems as if every part of our operation has changed and blossomed. We went through
two very challenging years after 9/11 and this new cycle that we are entering
is positively thrilling. What a year lies ahead! Be sure to join us!
Please visit our website (http://www.kidsfirst.org/kidsfirst/html/newyork.htm)
to check out all the New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania locations for our
2004 KIDS FIRST! Film and Video Festival which will come to 20 locations in
the greater New York area January 10 through February 28. We also will have
some featured titles at the USA Film Festival in Dallas January 17 and 18 and
a big, eight-day festival in Santa Fe January 17 through 24 (http://www.kidsfirst.org/kidsfirst/html/santafe.htm)
And last, we have a special event for the Girl Scouts of the Greater New York
Council who are earning their KIDS FIRST! Junior Film Critics patch at Scholastic
on January 10.
This year’s festival has more than 70 films and videos in it including
major releases from studios as well as hidden treasures from independent producers.
We’re offering sneak previews of titles such as Dora the Explorer’s
Dora’s Pirate Adventures, Winnie the Pooh: Springtime with Roo, and Stellaluna
along with Dottie: the Little Girl with the Big Voice and Jumping for Joy from
independent producers. Visit http://www.kidsfirst.org/kidsfirst/html/fest03_programming.html
for a complete list of festival titles.
As the festival makes it way across the country to more than 40 locations this
spring, remember that you can bring the festival to your community by simply
contacting our office (505-989-8076). We’re more than happy to add you
to our tour.
We have one of our Junior Film Critics Facilitator’s training workshops
coming up right after the holidays at the Chaparral Girl Scout Council Office
in Albuquerque on January 10, 2004. To register, please contact our office at
505.989.8076 or go to http://www.kidsfirst.org/kidsfirst/html/becju.htm. Registrations
are due by January 3. Hope you can join us.
We’re delighted to offer a second article from guest writer, Christine
Pollock, a Juror for KIDS FIRST! who gives us an in-depth article about KIDS
FIRST! Jurors, sharing her own personal experiences together with a host of
others and tells you how you can become involved as well.
It’s not too late to make your charitable contributions for this year
and take a tax deduction. I’d like to remind you that the Coalition for
Quality Children’s Media and its KIDS FIRST! program rely on the contributions
of people like you to support our programs. Our Junior Film Critics Club, KIDS
FIRST! Film and Video Festival and KIDS FIRST! evaluation project are funded
largely by contributions from individuals, foundations, and corporations. Your
gift, however large or small really does count. Foundations look closely at
matching funds from our individual supporters as evidence that we have broad-based
support. As you are winding up your end of the year financials, consider making
a gift that will make a difference. The children of the world will thank you
for it. You may donate cash, put it on your Visa or MasterCard, or donate stock
- an optimal way to maximize your donation. Please send to: Coalition for Quality
Children’s Media, 112 W. San Francisco St., Suite 305A, Santa Fe, NM 87501
Again, I wish all of you the best for the upcoming New Year. Blessings to you
all.
Much love,
Ranny Levy
President, Coalition for Quality Children’s Media
What is a KIDS FIRST® Juror?
By Christine. L. Pollock
What did we get? What did we get?” My son bounded into the house with
a package from the mailbox. It was our latest batch of videos, CR-ROM’s,
and DVD’s to review for KIDS FIRST®. Even though we’ve received
similar packages at least ten times this year, the excitement of the shipments
never waned-not for the children or for myself. It is one of the perks of being
a juror for the Coalition of Quality Children’s Media.
What exactly is a juror? It is a person who critiques media. KIDS FIRST!®
has jurors in Canada and the United States. There is at least one juror in almost
every state. Soon there might also be jurors in Mexico, Colombia, and Chile.
The jurors come from rural and urban settings. Many different cultures are represented.
The present list of jurors includes: child development specialists, teachers,
librarians, and concerned parents. When KIDS FIRST!® began in 1991, there
were ten jurors. The number of media titles submitted for review grew quickly
and more jurors were selected to fill the demand. At this time, there are about
three hundred adult jurors and three thousand child jurors. But with all the
media being released, even more jurors are needed.
The critiquing process begins when media products (audio tapes, web sites,
DVD’s, CD-ROM’s, and videos) are voluntarily submitted to KIDS FIRST!®
by producers or suppliers. At this point, a Juror Coordinator checks a database
to see which jurors might be interested in reviewing the item. Each product
is reviewed by several jurors.
Michelle Roybal is the current Juror Coordinator. If the product is in Spanish,
Michelle selects Spanish speaking jurors. If the title is related to music,
Michelle chooses jurors with musical experience. If you have a special talent
to lend to the process, great! But each juror’s unique outlook provides
the feedback that KIDS FIRST!® needs.
The Juror Coordinator contacts the selected jurors to see if they are available
to review the material, and to ask how many items they are willing to review.
When asked about the jury reviewing process, Normajean Colby, a juror from the
suburbs in Southeastern Pennsylvania, states, “It’s fun and the coordinators
aren’t pushy. They always inquire if I can fit this in my schedule this
week.”
If a juror has time to critique, the media titles are mailed. A juror can receive
up to five or six titles at one time. Once the products are received, the juror
previews them.
For each title, the juror fills out a feedback form. If the juror decides that
the title is not appropriate for children, the title is thrown out and the reasons
for the disposal are documented and submitted. If a title is appropriate, the
juror gathers a group of no less than five children to review the product. This
can be great fun. Get out the popcorn and watch the kids reactions.
The titles can be shown in many different settings. Sue N. Howard, a teacher
and librarian from Memphis, Tennessee, frequently shows the media to eight to
twelve children in a school setting. Sometimes she holds reviews at home. Normajean,
a Registered Nurse, typically shows the titles at home, and, occasionally at
school classes, daycares and church groups. Sandra Tritton, a private school
teacher from a rural town in Northwest Minnesota, usually shows the media to
the kids at school. She generally has around fifteen children acting as jurors.
Before a title is shown, the adult juror talks with the children jurors about
things to look for. The adult might ask the children such questions as: Do the
characters treat each other well? Does it make you want to learn more about
something? Did you like it? Would your friends like it? Did you like how it
looked and sounded?
As the children watch the title, the adult juror documents reactions and quotes
from the children. The adult juror also observes the children to see if they
become distracted or remain captivated by a product.
After the title is shown to the children, the adult juror asks specific questions.
This can be a lively and entertaining discussion. The adult juror writes the
children’s responses on a form. The form is sent via fax, internet or snail
mail to KIDS FIRST®. The reviews must be completed within two weeks of their
arrival.
At the end of the two-week period, when all the reviews are in, the Juror Coordinator
tallies the results. They then review the evaluations and decide whether or
not to endorse the product.
Why would a person want to become a juror? Aside from the obvious benefit of
receiving hundreds of dollars of free, quality media? Sue found that being a
juror gave her an opportunity to preview media even before it was released to
the general market. Normajean became a juror as a community service – it
sounded like fun and also helped increase her awareness of what her kids were
watching.
Sandra was interested in finding, and helping others find, quality videos and
games for children. She states, “As an elementary teacher, it is most frustrating
to find a video that has wonderful content objectives, but yet is unsuitable
for the age group intended.” Jurors for KIDS FIRST!® are always asked
what age they believe the media is geared toward.
Jurors find satisfaction in seeing the kids respond as the juror had predicted.
They also enjoy watching the videos with the kids. Experts cite that parents
don’t spend enough time watching shows with their kids and talking about
content. With the hectic lives we lead these days, it’s difficult to find
the time to sit down and focus all your attention on your children. As a juror,
you have a great chance to just watch the videos with them, listen to their
reactions, and engage in lively discussions after the show. It’s a great
way to bring the family together.
Another benefit of being a juror is having the opportunity to talk to the children
about the criteria that are used in evaluating the titles. Their views are often
very different from the adult view and can be very enlightening.
The kids love receiving the media in the mail and also enjoy knowing that their
opinions are helping the whole country find better media. They take the job
of reviewing very seriously. They are proud of the work they do.
Due to the tremendous amount of media produced and marketed, KIDS FIRST!®
is looking for more jurors. They are seeking partners to host a KIDS FIRST!®
Junior Film Critics Facilitator’s Workshop in communities across the country.
In these workshops, KIDS FIRST!® will train local teachers, librarians,
Girl Scout leaders, or other interested parents in how to use the critical viewing
curriculum with children ages 8 to 13.
As Michelle Roybal sums up, “When I started, I thought ‘Great. My
kids will get to see a lot of movies.’ Now I realize that not only do they
get to see movies – they get to see and try some awesome children’s
media, from movies and audio to software, and in the process, they are learning
to become more aware of certain behaviors and the effects of media.”
If you are interested in learning more about becoming a juror, please check
the KIDS FIRST!® website at www.kidsfirst.org or contact Ranny Levy at (505)
989-8076.
Producer News**************************
*******************************************
CALL FOR ENTRIES - PRIX JEUNESSE INTERNATIONAL 2004
PRIX JEUNESSE INTERNATIONAL in Munich is ready for your contributions to our
40th anniversary festival, which will be held from 13 -19 June 2004 at Bayerischer
Rundfunk (radio house). Please click your way to the Contest Rules and Entry
Forms. Always keep in mind that we are looking for the best programmes FOR children
and youth, from around the world. PRIX JEUNESSE is the "Oscar" of
children's television, or even more - since the winners are selected by your
peers from around the world (see special PRIX JEUNESSE voting system!). The
festival is only as good as its programming, so here is how to enter your top
quality works to PRIX JEUNESSE. Deadline: January 31, 2004 http://www.prixjeunesse.de/home.html
The Radmin Company/filmmakers.com Screenwriting Competition -
The Radmin Company will read top 50 screenplays. Top Ten Get to Pitch their
Script to a Hollywood Producer. First Prize $5,000; 2nd Prize $1,000; 3rd Prize
$500... Final deadline: January 31, 2004. Information: http://www.filmmakers.com/contests/2004/scriptmag/index.htm
Extreme Filmmaker's 48-hour Film Festival
Want to be a filmmaker? Tired of making excuses instead of movies? Entry deadline
for the next event is February 6th, 2004. Festival screens in Los Angeles February
28th. For more details, basic rules and films from previous festivals go to
http://www.ExtremeFilmmaker.com
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Resources ***********************
******* KIDS FIRST! Book ***
Our book, A Parent's Guide to the Best Children's Videos, DVDs, and CD-ROMs,
featuring reviews of more than 1800 KIDS FIRST! endorsed videos, DVDs, TV shows,
and CD-ROMs is available now. To order your copy, call our office, 505-989-8076
or send your request, to kfnews@http://www.kidsfirst.org. You can view sample
pages of our book at http: //www.pgpress.com/Book_Excerpts/kidvid/
********************************************************************
Become a Coalition for Quality Children's Media Member ***
If you've found our e-zine and web site helpful, please consider becoming a
member of KIDS FIRST! Members help underwrite the various projects of this organization
and are a critical component of our success.
The Coalition for Quality Children's Media's relies on the generous support
of its members and donors to support its programs. An individual/family membership
is only $25/year. An organizational membership is $100/year. An independent
producer membership is $200; Corporate membership $1,000 -$10,000 / year. For
more information, visit our website (http://www.kidsfirstinternet.org/kidsfirst/head00.htm)
or contact our office for an application form, 505.989.8076.
*** MEMBER NEWS ****
Please note the new Coalition for Quality Children's Media members below and
support their work by visiting their sites.
VISIT OUR MEMBERS' SITES ******************
*****************************************************
http://www.advancedbrain.com
http://www.adventuresinoz.com
http://www.allbymyself.com
http://www.anchorbayentertainment.com
http://www.babybrother.com
http://www.a-imagination.com
http://www.activeparenting.com
http://www.BabyAboutTown.com
http://www.babyeinstein.com
http://www.babygenius.com
http://www.babygourmet.com
http://www.babyplaytime.com
http://www.babyprodigy.com
http://www.babysongs.com
http://www.brainybaby.com
htto://www.coachcoz.com
http://www.devine-ent.com
http://disney.go.com/DisneyVideos/
http://www.eatyourlunch.com
http://www.edact.com
http://www.familiesoftheworld.com
http://www.fancymonkey.com
http://www.finemediagroup.com
http://www.filmmarketonline.com
http://www.familytv.com/index_usa.asp?AFID=2002072002"
http://www.ftfun.com
http://www.hunktabunkta.com
http://www.iluminadaproductions.com
http://www.judypancoastkidpop.com
http://www.kidskills.com
http://www.kathybyers.com
http://www.kidskills.com
http://www.kirikou.net
http://www.lafete.com
http://www.learningbyosmosis.com
http://www.LetsTalkPuppyDog.com
http://www.Littlehardhats.com
http://www.littlemammoth.com
http://www.magicfrank.com
http://www.makebabylaugh.com
http://www.master-comm.com/
http://www.mybabyandme.com/
http://www.mybestenglish.net
http://www.nafce.org
http://www.nestfamily.com
http://www.newvideo.com
http://www.northbayentertainment.com
http://www.pixiesage.com
http://www.powertocreate.com
http://www.production-associates.com
http://www.rainbowplace.com/
http://www.seafunforkids.com/
http://www.sesameworkshop.org
http://www.shanabanana.com
http://www.sosmart.com
http://www.splashesfromtheriver.com/web/pl1.html
http://www.sqedunk.com
http://www.strangerinthewoods.com
http://www.stinkyshoe.com
http://www.tcfhe.com
http://www.underthestarsandstripes.com/
http://www.underthewaves.tv
http://www.vidmedia.com
http://www.hamtaro.com
http://www.view.com/
http://www.vtmproductionsinc.com
http://www.wamtv.com
http://www.warner.com
http://www.zula.com
EVENTS and NEWS ***************
***************************************
January 10, 2004. Facilitator’s Workshop for KIDS FIRST! Junior Film Critics
Club at Chaparral Girl Scout Council in Albuquerque. For more information, call
505.989.8076.
To add your event to this list, please sent a notice to
[email protected]
To add your event to this list, please sent a notice to
[email protected]
********* IF YOU FIND THIS NEWSLETTER USEFUL ...
FORWARD IT TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY ****************
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Copyright 2002 by Coalition for Quality Children's Media,
http://www.kidsfirst.org
**************ABOUT CQCM AND KIDS FIRST! ***************
KIDS FIRST! is the not-for-profit Coalition for Quality Children's Media's
initiative that evaluates and rates children's media -videotapes, CD-ROMs, and
television - using a highly acclaimed method that has been praised by parents
and educators alike. It utilizes professionally designed criteria and evaluation
tools and engages a volunteer jury comprising child development professionals,
teachers and parents nationwide and children of diverse geographic, socioeconomic
and ethnic backgrounds. KIDS FIRST! endorsed titles appeal to people around
the world and include many programs on topics important to children's development.
KIDS FIRST! - endorsed titles are available on CQCM's award-winning Internet
site, in The Parent's Guide to the Best Children's Videos, DVDs, and CD-ROMs
and in reviews it provides to more than 75 publications.
CQCM evaluates feature films, television programs, videos, CD-ROM, DVDs, and
audio recordings. For an application form and application deadlines,
visit our website (http://www.kidsfirst.org), call our office (505.989.8076)
Coalition for Quality Children’s Media, 112 W. San Francisco St., Suite
305A, Santa Fe, NM 87501
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