Comments on: Talking UP to kids

By: Ben Oviat

Ben Oviat — Wed, 06 May 2009 14:14:04 +0000

Another really important factor in children’s media (I’m thinking particularly of television, here) is that it also draws in the parents as an interactor. Unfortunately, this TV-as-babysitter model is pervading popular children’s television right now. That’s what I loved about Q&A: it is explicitly ABOUT fostering an interaction between parent and child, a process that is inherently superior to any form of media insofar as education and growth is concerned.

And congratulations on the ASIFA win! Well deserved.

By: admin

admin — Mon, 04 May 2009 17:06:38 +0000

Thanks for adding your thoughts Sarah! You make some really good points— some perspective only a parent could provide.

By: Sarah Darer Littman

Sarah Darer Littman — Mon, 04 May 2009 13:07:51 +0000

“It shows parents and adults that listening closely to what kids have to say is one of the most important things they can do.”

YES! And responding to them with the truth – in an age appropriate way. That’s always the thing I find the hardest – figuring out what is “age appropriate” for each stage. That’s where the whole black art of parenting comes in, because each kid is different.

As both a parent and an author of tween and young adult fiction, I’m painfully aware that kids have top-of-the-line bullsh*t detectors. It’s so important that what we present to them is authentic.

By: Elliot Cowan

Elliot Cowan — Sat, 02 May 2009 14:20:44 +0000

Mike – you speak of speaking up to children – this, I think, rarely happens.
This is what frustrates me.
The continuing endless collection of unchallenging, mediocre entertainment for kids.

By: Mike Rauch

Mike Rauch — Sat, 02 May 2009 04:20:35 +0000

Hey, Miriam. Good thoughts. I so wish we had let you know about Annecy. It would have been so much fun to hang out there with you— next time! We’ll be sure to keep you as up to date as possible. You can also always check our upcoming events here:

http://rauchbrothers.com/blog/category/events/

By: Miriam Gibbs

Miriam Gibbs — Sat, 02 May 2009 03:29:13 +0000

I recently finished a biography of modern art champion Peggy Guggenheim. Today, I met Ryan for lunch at the art museum and toured the temporary surrealism exhibit. Since lunch, my thoughts have been dominated by the question: What is art? Duchamp can turn a toilet on its side, call it a “Fountain” and sign it with an alias and that can be considered art. What is art? There are many definitions. We bought several paintings recently at a gallery and the gallery owner said that her main criteria for choosing art is that it be pretty to look at. I thought that view was pretty narrow and it made me think of a newspaper story I read after Andersen Consulting closed its offices in Chicago. It was having considerable trouble selling its corporate art collection because it was chosen to be pretty and innocuous and collectors were not moved enough by it to buy it. At least one definition is that it is provocative to its viewers. It makes you stop and think and see things in a new light. Children should benefit from being provoked by art. They’re probably even more susceptible to it than adults.
Ryan’s comment today on hearing that you are showing at Annecey was “if we’d known earlier we could have gone”. If you show in Chicago there’s no question we’ll be there. Please keep your loving and supportive family updated on your activities!

By: David Levy

David Levy — Fri, 01 May 2009 14:49:09 +0000

It gave me some pleasure to see that Bill Plympton enters many of his shorts into the kids film festivals too… even though there’s this perception that he makes raunchy and violent work. I think he’s entered all his Guard Dog pictures into the kids film festival circuit.

By: Mike Rauch

Mike Rauch — Fri, 01 May 2009 13:49:20 +0000

Elliot, I’m confused. What’s a constant source of frustration for you?

Re: entering kids fests— have no reservations, JUST DO IT! Even if kids weren’t your originally intended audience, your film may still connect with them. One thing that is said about kids (especially middle to high school aged) is that they really prefer things that don’t feel targeted toward them. They often gravitate to more adult programming. Tim and I really like content that bridges this gap and is entertaining for both kids AND adults.

By: Tim Rauch

Tim Rauch — Fri, 01 May 2009 13:21:00 +0000

You came up with those words, but I’m happy to share credit! I agree, and I would add that this does not mean kids media should never be goofy, silly, funny, crazy or gross. It’s all grey areas, it’s all subjective, but as someone who has been working closely with actual children (swim teacher/camp counselor for the past 10 years) I can say that kids are not all that different from “grown ups”. They can handle most anything we can dish out.

By: Elliot Cowan

Elliot Cowan — Fri, 01 May 2009 13:12:48 +0000

I agree with you entirely and it’s a constant source of frustration to me.

I’m always very torn about entering films into children’s festivals.
I know a lot of kids love my B&R films but I really didn’t make them specifically for children…