We all appreciate animation, from Mickey Mouse to the dinosaurs of Jurassic Park to the motion graphics used to dramatize the nightly weather reports.
“Pictures are compelling, and moving pictures even more so,” stated Ali Everitt, teacher for the first of two Creative Kids animation class offerings through the Greenbelt Recreation summer camp series.
In two week-long afternoon sessions, young filmmakers and animators produced their own movies with scenes like paper cut-out elephants eating and a live-action murder mystery where the actors, camera, sound and lighting operators were camp attendees.
All of these scenes were edited by the students on Greenbelt Access Television (GATe) computers for finished video productions to be viewed on the last day of class.
Along with videographic and editing skills, the students, some as young as 6 years old, learn to work together to create the short films. They also learn to work on projects that take many days to complete, which requires patience and dedication.
Phoebe McFarb, GATe executive director, runs the program and teaches filmmaking and editing for two of the four summer sessions. The other two sessions are led by GATe’s long-serving animation instructor, George Kochell, and new animation instructor Everitt.
McFarb, Kochell and Everitt all teach classes year-round at GATe. They are assisted by two paid high school summer interns, Mason Vosmek and Kalen Wright. Both interns are currently students at Northwestern High School, where they are in the filmmaking program.
One more animation class will be held in August for the last session of camp. Classes will resume in the fall with more animation and filmmaking offerings through GATe and Greenbelt Recreation. The classes have been a big hit. Here in the Greenbelt Community Center today; next stop, Hollywood.