Teens to create machinima about child rights at virtual summer camp

Global Kids announces that they are organizing a virtual summer camp to help teens in the Second Life Teen Grid to create machinima videos related to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.  Running for a month from July 23 to August 23, campers will be expected to attend the camp five days a week for two hours a day.  Machinima guru Moo Money herself will be on hand to help the teenagers learn all the tricks of the machinima trade. 

The rights covered in the convention include everything from freedom of expression, freedom of religion, freedom from abuse, the rights of disabled children, the right to play, to rest, and to education. It will be interesting to see what kinds of machinima these kids come up with.  I can imagine very interesting pieces being done on sexual slavery, children in warfare, the rights of refugee children, and other compelling topics.

I wish I were teen now so I could beg my parents to send me to there, instead of stupid soccer camp.

After the jump is the complete announcement. Head to http://globalkids.org to apply.

GK'S CRC MACHINIMA CAMP, SUMMER 2007

Global Kids will be hosting a Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) Machinima Camp within Teen Second Life in the summer of 2007. The CRC Machinima Camp will involve exciting leadership-development activities and fun workshops that will deal with important children's rights issues related to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, a document produced by the United Nations.

The CRC Machinima Camp will last for 5 weeks, beginning July 23 to August 23, 2007.

Participants will be expected to attend the program Monday to Friday during the 5 weeks, from 11am to 1pm Second Life Time.  Each session will last for 2 hours, with an extra optional hour to stay for additional help and troubleshooting.

This program is expected to have 20 participants from all walks of life, if you are interested in making machinima videos and have a desire to learn more about children's rights, this is something you would not want to miss out on.

So what is CRC Machinima Camp?

CRC Machinima Camp is a summer program for teens in SL who want to make socially-conscious machinima videos on issues that deals with children's rights, specifically raised in the Convention on the Rights of a Child.

This is the first ever machinima camp hosted by Global kids, in collaboration with UNICEF.  The final machinima videos will be showcased at the Second Life Community Convention in Chicago, USA on August 25, 2007, and later this fall by UNICEF.  Participants will be learning the how-tos and fundamental techniques of making a machinima, taught by none other but Machinima Guru herself, otherwise known as Moo Money on the main grid, and be able to understand the significant role that the CRC plays in the life of a child all around the world.

A little background on what CRC is:

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, often referred to as "CRC", is an international convention setting out the civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of children. It is monitored by the United Nations' Committee on the Rights of the Child, which is composed of members from countries around the world.  Governments of countries that have ratified the "CRC" are required to report to, and appear before, the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child periodically to be examined on their progress with regards to the advancement of the implementation of the "CRC" and the status of child rights in their country.

What will you be doing?

Through fun activities and workshops, this program will be a chance to learn about how the CRC works, and what role teens can play by making social-conscious machinima videos in TSL.  Teens who take part in the CRC Machinima Camp will identify rights declared in the CRC, create a storyboard as a film maker, and collaborate with other campers to create a 1-minute machinima that will be showcased in the teen grid, and also at the Second Life Community Convention in Chicago, USA.

Who should apply to CRC Machinma Camp?

There is no age requirement, so as long as you can roam around in TSL, you are eligible to apply!  CRC Machinima Camp will be a lot of fun, but it will also include a lot of serious discussion about important issues related to children's rights around the world. Participants should be motivated and enthusiastic, enjoy watching films and have a desire to make their own films in TSL.  You should be interested in raising awareness and making a difference in the world by using digital media technology available in TSL.

At the CRC Machinima Camp you will be encouraged to think freely and openly about all kinds of global issues and form your own opinions about these issues. You should apply if you are interested in taking part in lively discussion with a diverse group of individuals who offer a variety of perspectives. You must be able to work well with others, showing respect for people who come from different backgrounds and people who have opinions that differ from yours.

What kind of commitment does Global Kids expect from the participants?

Participants will be expected to give their full attention to CRC Machinima Camp activities while camp is in session. Part of being a participant will include contributing your point of view and taking an active part in the camp's activities.

Participants will also be expected to support an atmosphere of respect. This includes treating each other with respect and also showing respect for other people's opinions.

Global Kids will not tolerate disruptive behavior like PVPing, excessive gesturing, or the use of unacceptable language.  All participants are expected to respect the Global Kids guidelines and offer each other support through the 5 weeks session.

What can you expect from Global Kids?

In exchange for your participation, here is what you can expect to find:

• We will offer participants a safe space where individuals treat one another with respect.
• We will provide a chance to learn a lot, and have fun at the same time.
• You will have the opportunity to learn about important issues, formulate your own opinion and learn how you can make a difference in the world.
• You will get the chance to take on a leadership role in Teen Second Life, as the participants of Camp GK spearhead a project in the teen grid.
• We will provide a place where each person's voice is heard.
• A $50.00 USD stipend for all participants who complete the program.

How can you apply?

To apply to the CRC Machinima Camp, you will need to fill out the online application form at:

http://globalkids.org/?id=64

Any questions?

Please IM Tabitha Gkid in-world, or email her at Tabitha@globalkids.org for questions or more details.

Watch an example?

If you want to see an example of a teen-made machinima produced by past GK youth leaders, please go to: http://tinyurl.com/3x2l8o

Cheers,

Tabitha Tsai
Online Leadership Program Associate,
Second Life Education Specialist

Global Kids Inc.
http://www.globalkids.org
http://olp.globalkids.org