ReelSmarts

ReelSmarts evolved through two generations of ShowTime Kids into a film class. Students study various cutting edge and avante garde art forms through the year and work towards fusing an artistic vision on their own. Students study Performance Art, Black Light Theater, Hip-Hop Fusion, Mixed Media, Site Specific Improvisation and various film genres and techniques. Students are given ample time and materials to create their own film and art concepts and them fuse them together in a series of shorts. These film shorts are then submitted to local film festivals and other venues for show. The ReelSmarts class is held on Wednesday at 5:30-7:00PM at the Center. The group is limited to 10 students. Children may enroll in this group between the ages of 8-12+.

Support for ReelSmarts comes from the director of the program Deborah McQueen, and involved parents who wish to further the interdisciplinary experimentation and collaborations occurring at the nexus of theater, performance poetry, spoken words, and Hip Hop culture, and film production. This hybrid genre represents a significant and growing social and cultural phenomenon, as well as an artistic movement.

Equipment: Class projects can be done in-house or on location. The studio provides digital video cameras, MacBook with iMovie software, and Final Cut for editing.

ReelSmarts studies other well-known performance artists and works to find its own voice. Study includes observing the work of other artists directly through field trips, or as guest teachers, through video, and collaboration with other members. Members choose their own work which may include poetry, poetry slams, monologues, Story theater, dance, painting, working on-stage with props, spontaneous improv., etc. Members of ReelSmarts must be dedicated to attendance as their absence greatly affects the group's learning. ReelSmarts produces a final film in May. This final film contains various works by the students, some of which may be submitted to the annual California Independent Film Festival. Please contact us before enrolling to make sure space is available in this group. ReelSmarts 2006 submissions include three shorts - 1. Commander Bob 2. The Six-In-One Ear Cleaner 3. The Macarena - by Alana Hindiyeh, Jordan Hindiyeh, Zachary Stevens, Alex Gonzales, Erin McQueen, Harrison Gould.

Location: SmARTSunlimited Center, 53 Wright Brothers Avenue Suite D, Corner of Isabelle & Jack London, Livermore, CA. Time: Wednesday - 5:30PM-7:00PM Cost: $96.00 monthly - Program length - Sept. 7-June 13. Dress Code: Comfortable clothes that children can move in. Films will be submitted to the California Independent Film Festival. View the films submitted to last year's film festival:     Hemp Hospital     Perfect Emptiness     Escapades of a Soda Constructor View films submitted to previous year's film festival:     Endless Backpack     The Macarena     The Six-in-One Ear Cleaner     Commander Bob ReelSmarts in The Independent: Page 1 | Page 2. View Pics from the festival. Watch a short film about the program.