Thursday, October 7, 2010

Think Thursday! Reality v's TV


Ages & Stages, 7 to 9 years of Parenting magazine, May 2010 issue.

Reality v's TV

What kids don't see on TV and in movies is as important as what they do, says Toronto animator and teacher Ellen Besen. Increase their media literacy by pointing out tricks that make things look more appealing than they really are.

Break up the shots: A scene with ice cream might make her tummy rumble, but the treat is probably fake--hot camera lights would make real ice cream melt. if she looks closely, she'll notice the actress is not really eating her sundae after all.

Turn down the sound: Music is used to trigger emotional responses and redirect viewers' attention during commercials or action scenes, so help her see the difference when it's lowered.

Master the moves: Remind her that those pow! crash! wham! fighting scenes are pretend and , unlike in real life, no one gets hurt. Have her try falling gracefully or stopping punches and kicks inches from targets.

Hand over your camera: Poorly attended concerts or sporting events can look packed, thanks to tight shots of fan-filled sections. Let her zoom in and out with your camcorder to see the difference.

Consider the odds: Have your American Idol fan research the music industry to learn how to break into the business. Or ask, "Can 1,000 balloons really make a house fly?"

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