Do you have a child who loves film, loves talking about film and loves to be on – camera? If so, we have a program for you – the national, KIDS FIRST! Film Critics, a project of the 25-year old Coalition for Quality Children’s Media.
KIDS FIRST! is pleased to be holding auditions at the Skirball Cultural Center on November 11, 2018 from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. The auditions are open to any child between the age of 8 and 18. To audition, you must register online at the KIDS FIRST! Film Critics Audition site no later than November 2, 2018. Go to https://www.kidsfirst.org/become-a-juror/2018.BootCamp.html to register. You may not Audition unless you are registered.
As part of your Audition Registration, you will need to write a 200 word review of any film, DVD, TV show or web series released in the last 6 months, rated PG-13 or younger. Auditions will be limited to 30 children. Special consideration will be given to youth who are bilingual in Spanish and English.
Participation in the KIDS FIRST! Film Critics program is voluntary. None of the reporters are paid. However, the program offers a unique opportunity for youth to attend press screenings, press junkets and red carpets, learn to review films, present themselves on-camera and interview celebrities. Many of the KIDS FIRST! Film Critics have found employment in the entertainment field as a result of their involvement in this program.
Brianna B. (age 18), comments, “Being a KIDS FIRST! Film Critic has provided me with skill sets that will last a lifetime. Who knew from being a KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, I would have one of my quotes on the back of a DVD, appear on a national syndicated TV show and interview so many great celebrities.”
Rather than talk abstractly about media, the KIDS FIRST! reporters are given a voice and their reviews reach up to 7 million people per release through KIDS FIRST! blogs on Kidzworld.com, Grandmagazine.com, our KIDS FIRST! YouTube Channel and 48 additional publications, both print and online.
Gerry O.’s mom comments, “This program not only teaches kids how to be better communicators, more pleasant company and knowledgeable movie gurus, it gives them so much more. These kids will be able to socialize and speak properly, write great essays, participate intelligently in debates and become confident leaders. My son Gerry was invited to present some of his film ideas to Morgan Freeman’s production team after interviewing Freeman on the red carpet three times in a period of six weeks.
He has completed over 200 reviews and taken numerous workshop at YouTube Space LA, representing KIDS FIRST! as one of a small number of channels accepted. He has interviewed many industry greats including Brad Bird, Morgan Freeman, Ty Burrell, George Clooney, Britt Robertson, Zoe Saldana, John Ratzenberger, Tara Strong and many more.
“We are delighted to hold out auditions at the Skirball Cultural Center this fall, ” comments Ranny Levy, Founder and President KIDS FIRST! / Coalition for Quality Children’s Media. “In the past, we have offered our KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Boot Camps in Los Angeles on the Disney and Paramount lots, in New York City at the Hispanic Information and Telecommunications Network’s HQ and in Washington DC at Discover Channel’s World Headquarters. Some of our Los Angeles based KIDS FIRST! reporters will be present at this audition and help us select new member to their team. It’s exciting to audition Los Angeles kids, where many of them already are active in the entertainment industry.”
Who: Any child in the Los Angeles area, age 8 to 18 interested in film and entertainment.
What: KIDS FIRST! Film Critics Auditions
Where: Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90049
When: November 11, 2018, 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Register here: https://www.kidsfirst.org/become-a-juror/2018.BootCamp.html
About KIDS FIRST! / Coalition for Quality Children’s Media: The Coalition for Quality Children’s Media is a national, nonprofit (501-c-3) organization founded in 1991 whose mission is to teach children critical viewing skills and to increase the visibility and availability of quality children’s media. The KIDS FIRST! Film Critics are a group of 50+ youth reporters, age 8 to 18, nationwide who review new film and TV releases, interview talent and share their views on entertainment geared for kids. Their reviews and interviews reach more than 7 million people every month. KIDS FIRST! is supported by major entertainment industry leaders, teachers, librarians, media professionals, lobbyists, policymakers, child advocates, educators, parents and families nationwide. For more info, go to https://www.kidsfirst.org
About KIDS FIRST! / Coalition for Quality Children’s Media
The KIDS FIRST! Film Festival is a project of the Coalition for Quality Children’s Media (CQCM), a national, nonprofit organization that promotes quality children’s media. The CQCM was founded in 1991 by a group of parents, educators, and filmmakers who were concerned about the lack of quality children’s media available. The CQCM’s mission is to teach children critical viewing skills and to increase the visibility and availability of quality children’s media. The CQCM accomplishes this mission through a variety of programs, including:
● KIDS FIRST! Film Festival
● KIDS FIRST! Film Critics
● KIDS FIRST! Coming Attractions podcast
● KIDS FIRST! website
