Experience movie magic with Child’s Play NY! Kids get to make and star in their own film, with professional actors, directors and designers. The finished product gets edited into a film for them to enjoy! From development to design to editing choices too, kids can take ownership over the creative process. Each group is fully customizable – extra sessions can be added to demonstrate editing through iMovie, music scoring and stop-motion animation.
1. Create your story
In a pre-production meeting with Jocelyn Greene, you will develop the characters, plot of your original story. Kids can also pick from favorite fairy tales and fables and choose to bring those to life! (1 session)
2. Cast your Movie
Casting is key – hire your siblings, friends and family to be your collaborators. Child’s Play NY professional actors (up to 2 teachers) round out the ensemble as needed. If you have worked with us, feel free to cast from among their teachers!
3. The Writers Room
Learn techniques that help drama, comedy and character emerge! Work on the writing though improvisation and get the blueprint for your own script. (2 sessions + asynchronous writing work)
4. Pre-Production Power!
Decide on what the essential scenic design, props, sound and visual effects will be. Get support from our scenic designer, Charlotte, to craft them yourself. (1 session)
5. Rehearsals: From read-through to run-through
Gather with your cast and run the show with the Child’s Play NY actors too. Give notes as a director, along with support from the Child’s Play NY team. (2 sessions)
6. 3-2-1 Action
Time to shoot your movie! The script is ready, the lines are learned, and the props are in-hand. Get ready to make Zoom-Movie magic. (1 session)
7. Post-Production Pow-Wow
Work with our editor and approve a final cut. Weigh in on music choices, opening montage, and end credits! (1 session)
8. Red Carpet Premiere
The film is ready to be seen! Virtually gather your friends and family for a screening. Come dressed to the nines and be ready for all the applause as your film airs live! (1 session)
Who leads the sessions?
In addition to any professional actors needed for the film, each session has a Child’s Play NY producer. Additional faculty are brought in to support the Writers Room, Rehearsals and Post Production. Each session is 45 minutes and is held over Zoom.
Who can do this?
This is for kids ages 7-16. There can be up to 4 student-creators on a project, and 6 child-actors at a time.
What’s the timing of this?
There are 9 total sessions of learning with Child’s Play teachers. There is developmental work (writing and designing) that happens on the students’ own time. We design a schedule that works for your crew.
This creative process will occupy kids for hours and hours – both in a structured way with scheduled Zoom meetings and in a creative way with design-elements and script writing.
What does this cost?
Packages start at $979 for a fully virtually-produced short film. In-person options available, contact us to learn more. Payment can be split among the kid-cast members or sponsored by one family.
