Whose Jr. Film Critics Club (please click Check Out Our Blog for more updates)

Have your child or student participate in the Jr. Film Critics Club! This exciting two–part session is a unique collaboration between the Denver Film Society, KIDS FIRST & The entertainment project, inc. for Whose magazine? A youth publication. Scholarships are available thanks to the generosity of organizations as TIAA–CREF and others. The workshop is scheduled within one to four weeks prior to the scheduled film festival listed. The access to independent films and the festivals to introduce them to the community, gives children and students, between the ages of 8 to 18, the training and unique opportunity to be a film reviewer/critic. Students learn how to evaluate and discuss film/media using standardized criteria, violence in media and begin to understand the images behind the scene. Selected reviews will be published in our publication and all reviews published on the website.

photographer marissa

This year's 29th Starz Denver International Film Festival

Each year my young staff of fifteen to twenty something, second to fifth graders find themselves immersed into prepping for conducting interviews, attending screenings, standing and waiting with adult press on the Red Carpet, shaking hands with known and no so known men and women who make it the fantastic industry of filmmakers. This is how our journey begins.

Thursday, November 9, 2006
1:10 pm
Tonight, is the Red Carpet event opening the 29th Starz Denver International Film Festival. Today, I have just informed a fourth grader from Ashley Elementary School that she will be on the Red Carpet for the 29th Starz Denver International Film Festival. The talk around the school has teachers excited and giving high fives to Claudia, offering words of encouragement.

Before we even leave we have to research celebrities bios. Today, we focus on Tim Robbins. "I was so excited to have this opportunity. "I felt really happy because I was the only one selected from our school. I told my mom and she was excited. I was so nervous. I ate only a little bit."

4:30 pm
Pick up Claudia at her school and travel to the Buell Theatre. Upon arriving Claudia comments, "I have never seen this place before. It is really big!" Alante Thalley arrives. His claim to fame is that he was one of the reporters to interview actor, Morgan Freeman when he was at the film festival a year ago. An introduction is made and the two reporters work with volunteers to prep questions and their drafts for the magazine.

Alante Thailley comments "I think initially it will be difficult to communicate with Claudia, in light of the fact that we have never met before. Just before we start to interview people it'll be a lot easier because working together will have to be a main goal. Right around when the independent film stars start to approach apprehension will follow. "

Saturday: November 11, 2006
10:30 am
Our team arrives to set up computers and tape recorders for our interviews this afternoon. Present Madera Rogers, CEO/Founder, Colleen Carlson, coach and camera person and last but not least, Taylor Fonseca our 15 year old assistant. As we prep we notice, in one corner there gathers a group of unknown faces, little did we know that they were from the crew of the movie "Sensation of Sight". Upstairs in the lobby of Hotel Monaco gathers individuals from the press to actors, producers and such, all in attendance for the 29th Starz Denver International Film Festival.

"What we do is very important," states CEO/Founder of The Entertainment Project, Inc.; Madera E. Rogers. "It's important because we literally introduce kids to the real world. We place young people into the environment of the industry. The Film Festival for example, allows our organization to provide opportunities to have junior film critics, reporters, and photographers with jobs interviewing local and international filmmakers."

For Colleen Carlson , this is the first year with our organization at the festival. Colleen serves as women of many hats; camera-person, coach with the kids and typist. "This organization gives wonderful opportunities to kids. Things I could have only dreamed of at their age are actually happening to them! It's amazing to see how quickly the kids can overcome being nervous and shake a filmmaker's hand."

"This is a great experience for me, and also for my teammates. I'm glad to be here! I've never been to a film festival, let alone interviewed anyone in the movie business. I am very excited at the fact that I have this opportunity. Bringing children to real world experiences is very awesome. This prepares them for many things in the future. The fact that kids are interviewing famous actors/actresses, directors, producers, etc. gives them practice and knowledge of being part of a press. " Explains Taylor Fonseca, assistant editor/office support.

As the day progresses on we have numerous children who arrive to volunteer. There are three youth reporters ranging from 4th to tenth graders, to an 11 year who serves as assistant camerawomen and photographer. The young staff who participated are: Autumn Dyke, a fourth grader at Coronado Hills Elementary School, Aspen Silverberg; a tenth grader from Thornton High School, Taylor Fonseca, a tenth grader, and Saber.

Interview Update with Roberto Forns-Broggi
Film House of Wisdom

"The House of Wisdom" is an inspirational short movie about the town of Saravejo, which had over 2million of its books and literature destroyed in the war of 1992. The maker, Roberto Forns-Broggi, wanted his film to express his feelings of remorse about the decrease in the power of books. Roberto expressed his thoughts on how it is possible to defeat terror and opression only through creative expression and writing. Ever since he was a young boy growing up in Peru, Roberto felt that books opened up windows of imagination to him like nothing else could, and knew of no other mind expanding projects until he saw the movie "2001" A Space Odyssey". The film blew his mind and helped him realize that books are very powerful and could be used to really expand people's horizons. After 1999, Roberto left Peru and moved to the U.S. Four years later, he went to the Starz Film Festival and viewed a film by John Lock-Goldar, "Notre Musique", in which Saravejo was featured. The movie intrigued him, and a year later, he was in Saracejo with a digital camcorder, recording all he saw. By chance, Roberto stumbled upon the library of the town, which held no books. He was inspired, and later, after much more exploration, came back to the states and started to make his first iMovie. A year later, Roberto was surprised to find that the movie he had submitted to the committee of acceptance at the Star Film Festival, was actually going to be screened. He feels that this movie is his way to tell the world that books are true weapons of mass creativity, and are the only way to overcome danger and terror. Look for Roberto to make more influential movies in upcoming years.

Autumn Dike
11/11/06
Coronado Hills Elementary
9 years old
4th grade

What I did:
Right when I got here I shook everyone's hands, then we went over what my questions should be. After I was finished I wrote how I felt before I came and how I felt then.I learned what a documentary is. A documentary is a movie that shows real people and it is a true story.

How I felt:
Before I got here, when Mrs. Rogers picked me to go to the film festival, I was so excited. Then I went to my best friend's cheer rehearsal, I wasn't excited anymore, I was nervous. So now I'm here, I'm very nervous and hope I do well. 1:30

2:10 now I have met Shaun and David, the directors of the documentary "Purvis of Overtown". My first question was "Have you ever made a movie before?" They answered, "No." My interpretation on Shaun and David was that they were very nice; they made me feel like they felt the same as me, which was nervous. David has told me that he become inspired to make his movie by a person named Purvis. Purvis's artwork inspired David. He said he loved his artwork. David and Shaun have inspired me to stay with the KBS New Program and keep interviewing!

Taylor Fonseca
November 11, 2006
Standley Lake High School
Age 15
Sophmore

Today, November 11, 2006, I attended the press conference at Hotel Monaco for the 29th Annual Denver Film Festival. At first, I was very nervous and I wasn't sure what to expect. Well, I wasn't all just nervous. I was also pretty excited. I felt prepared with the help of my teammates, so I wasn't too worried.
It turns out that during the interview I wasn't nervous at all. I interviewed Will Nail the maker of the small film called "Runaway Rightie." His 5-minute film was entered in the Denver Film Festival and he was excited to have one of his pieces of work entered. His film is funny and very creative! He was very nice and fun to talk to.
The day turned out to be very fun! I'm glad I had the chance to experience this opportunity.

Jr. Film Critics Club

Opal Dreams Movie Review Contest

The Entertainment Project took a group of kids to the 29th Starz Denver International Film Festival to see the movie Opal Dreams.

Here are their reviews. Vote for your favorite one!!

Institute of Global Scholarship.

Critic #1

The title of this movie is "Opal Dream". The film takes place in Australian outback. The main character is Kellyanne. Kellyanne lives with her mother, father, and brother. Kellyanne is an unusual girl. Kellyanne didn't have real friends. Kellyanne has two imaginary friends. The father begins a search to find Kellyanne's friends when they get lost. Kellyanne becomes very sick. The music makes it seem like something bad will happen. I think this movie had a little drama in it. This movie is an independent short. This is a non-gratuitous film. The lighting was very bright. I give this movie three stars. I think this movie is very good. I think a lot of people would like to see this movie. I think this movie should be for nine years old and up. There are three producers. The director's name is Peter Cattaneo. The movie is 85 minutes long.

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Critic #2

The review I am doing is a short film called "Opal Dream." It is about a young girl named Kellyanne Williams who has an older brother named Ashley Williams, a mother, and a father. The setting takes place in Australia where Kellyanne has two imaginary friends named Poppy and Dingo. When they are lost, Kellyane can't find them or see them. So she becomes very ill. I think this film is funny and dramatic. One message that the film gave was you don't have to see something to believe it. The backround was clear. The people in Australia had a very good accent. The music was kind of sad. I think the whole family should see it with children 10 and up. The rated should be PG. The director is Peter Cattaneo and this film is 85 minutes long. I give this movie two stars.

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Critic #3

My opinion of this story leaves me to believe, that imagination is a cool thing. The title of the story is "Opal Dream". The main character of this story is, Kellyanne. This film is the story of a little girl named Kellyanne who lost her imaginary friends. The plot of the story leaves me questioning about the imaginary friends who didn't help throughout the story. The film is a documentary with live action. The production values are: the director is Peter Cattaneo and the movie is 85 minutes long. There are three producers. The setting of the movie is the Australian outback. The kind of people who would like live action would like or watch the movie. This movie is appropriate for ages twelve and up. I would give this movie two stars.

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Critic #4

This review is on a movie called "Opal Dream". The characters are Ashley Williams, Kellyanne Williams, and their parents. This movie takes place in the Australian Outback. This action packed adventure has the children's father chasing Kellyanne's imaginary friends while digging for precious opals. The action heats up when Mr. Williams is accused of stealing opals. The actors' accents, clothing, and the scenery made me feel like I was in Australia. I recommend this movie for those people who like action and adventure. This movie should be rated PG- 13 because there were scary scenes, inappropriate language and violence. I give this movie 1 star.The Entertainment Project, Inc. hosted our school and others in this Jr. Critic program. I enjoyed learning how to review a movie. I hope everybody enjoyed it, like me.

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Critic #5

 I am going to review "Opal Dream". Kellyanne is the main character of the movie. Kellyanne has two imaginary friends. One day her dad took her friends to work and lost them. The next day her family tried to look for them. Their names are Poppy and Dingan. Then all of a sudden Kellyanne gets a terrible illness. Everyone finds out that you don't have to see things to believe things. I think this is a lovely movie. People who I think would like this movie are people who care about girls with feelings. This movie should be for eight year olds and up. The movie is 85 minutes long. There are 3 producers and the director's name is Peter Cattanoe. There was gratuitous violence in this movie. I would give it 3 stars. I hope once you see it you'll see what I mean. This is Umarah signing off.

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Critic #6

 "Opal dream" is a touching story about a little girl, Kellyanne that has two imaginary friends (Poppy and Dingan). The girl has a brother, a mom and a dad. These people were very poor. Her dad digs for opals. One day her dad and brother took Poppy and Dingan to an opal mine where they get lost. Kellyanne finds out her beloved imaginary friends are lost and she becomes very ill. The film takes place in the Australians outback. This movie has gratuitous violence. The music is very sad but sometimes happy.  I think this film should be for age 9 and up. Some parts I did not like, but otherwise it's a great movie. The director is Peter Cattaneo. It has three producers and is 85 minutes long. This is a family movie I think it should have 3 stars.

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Coronado Hills Elementary.

Critic #7

This film was a 3 star film and my age recommendation is 9 years and up. This film was about a little girl who had imaginary friend named ding ham & Pobby. It was quite sad that every one thought she was mental or stupid because she had imaginary friends. Her mother, father, brother and the lady at the store kind of believed in her friends. Her father decided he would believe in the imaginary friend and took them to the mining site on day, when he returned they were not with him. The little girl got very upset when she could not find them; this even made her very ill. The little girl drew pictures of both ding ham & pobby for the brother to distribute through out the town of Opal. The little girls' illness continued until she was hospitalized. The brother

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Critic #8

I'm here to give you a heads up on a movie I saw. It is called Opal Dream. This short takes place in the out- back of Australia. Well, its about a girl named Kellyanne. Her brother\'s name is Ashvil, and her parents all live together. Kellyanne has two imaginary friends and their names are Pobby and Dingan. she has so much fun with them. One day, there was a Opal contest so she took Pobby and everyone made fun of her. There were other boys who made fun of her and her brother. Then one day she noticed her imaginary friends were missing. She made her dad go to his work and find them. Suddenly, the owner came and a cop came to check on them. He gave him court. Kellyanne got sick so she had to stay in bed. She asked her brother to make posters, so people would know about it. One day she pleaded to her brother and, got him to go to the place where their dad worked. He went underground through the tunnel, he dug through rocks and found a unique stone. He took it and took it to his sister. It was from her imaginary friends! He made a funeral. Guess what happened on the day of the funeral? Well, I\'ll let you find out. The producers were Lizle and Nick. The director\'s name is Peter Cattaneo. My rating is 3 stars because its sad and enjoyable. I recommend it to 10 years and up. My opinion is it\'s a great movie, and that is my review on Opal Dream.

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Critic #9

The movie Opal Dreams is about an 8 year old girl having 2 imaginary friends called Pobby and Diggan.But one day they dissappear and the girl gets ill and one day her brother goes out to find them and says that they are dead and finds a shiny rock where they died. The girl says that the rock is the imaginary girlfrieds belly button. Then the brother makes a furneral for them. For more information you will have to watch the movie. I would rate this as two thumbs up.

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Critic #10

I am reviewing Opal Dreams. It is about this little girl that lives in Australia and she has two imaginary friends. She plays with them all the time and one day her dad said,\"I\'ll take your imaginary friends to work with me.\" Then when they do they make a bomb and then they blast the imaginary friends and then they went home. The little girl goes to the truck only to find that the imaginary friends are gone. Then she gets sick because she can\'t find her imaginary friends. The brother pay with an opal to set up the funeral for the two imaginary friends. When they go to the graveyard they bury them with cherry and blueberry suckers. You\'ll have to watch the movie to find out the rest. I give it two thumbs up.

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Critic #11

I'm reviewing the movie OPAL DREAMS. This short film was a very interesting film. It was about a family looking for opal on the praire. A little girl had two imaginary friends. Their names were Pobby and Dingen. They are in the Australian Outback. They have Australian accents. She plays with Pobby and Dingen all the time. Then she becomes very ill. Her imaginary friends go missing. Her father takes them mining. They are gone. She has a funeral for them and then... you\'ll have to see the movie for yourself. I can\'t give away the best parts. Opal Dreams is a great movie for ages 5 +. Opal Dreams is a sad film but it is a happy film too. 5 STARS!

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