Small Factory Young Filmmakers Get Their Time On The Big Screen at FilmYoungFest This Weekend

Imagine being only nine years old and seeing your own film creation on the big screen. In front of more than 2,000 people.

Four kids from Small Factory Productions will have their animated short films debuted at the seventh annual FilmOneFest this coming Saturday, July 18. These films will be shown as part of FilmYoungFest, the newest addition to the festival promoting the talents of young filmmakers.

At Small Factory Productions, kids learn from a digital arts curriculum that introduces and develops creative and real-world skills in visual, audio and performing arts. Through Small Factory’s animation class, children’s imaginations can soar while being introduced to creative writing, art, music and acting. These young producers dream up an original story and turn it into a mini cartoon movie. From developing characters and backgrounds, to writing scripts, these young filmmakers do it just like the pros.

Clare Gibb is only 11, but she has a big imagination. Her film, “The Talking Pig,” follows the story of Larry, the talking pig. Larry is a little bossy, but then he transforms into something no one saw coming (You didn’t really think we were going to give away the ending did you?).

“I love making a brand new character that has never been made like I made it,” Clare said. “I made my own characters and I created my own story from my imagination.”

Clare’s mom, Tara, has seen the life skills Clare has gained while being at Small Factory.

“She had to pull it all together — for the good of the pig!” said Tara. “These new skills are the ones she can build on as she becomes more experienced with using the tools and her imagination. We’re very proud of her first project!”

Watch Clare’s Animation “The Talking Pig” here.

Thirteen-year old Kyle McCarthy is looking to the future with his animated movie, “The Elementals.” The film is a theme-song like animation for a series he plans to animate.

“This series is about five magical beings, each with a connection to an element, living together to protect their planet and search for their long lost leader,” said Kyle.

Impressed yet?

Kyle loves to make the characters he dreamed up come to life, but he also likes the technical side. One of his favorite parts of the Animation project was learning the animation software. He knows that being a part of Small Factory gives him the opportunity to shape his thoughts into moving characters.

“Small Factory lets me be surrounded by other individuals who have the same creativity and passion for animation that I do, and learning from them helps me perfect my projects,” said Kyle.

In 9-year old Luca Todorov’s film, legendary superhero Spiderman apparently needs to hit the gym. “Amazing Fat Spiderman” is an ironic and humorous rendering of the Spiderman adventures, because Spiderman is “out of shape.” Luca is an old pro at making animations, and has made several animated films, almost all of them with an element of humor.

“When I came to Small Factory I didn’t know anything about animation or special effects,” said Luca. “After a year, I learned a lot of stuff and now I can make animation myself.”

Luca’s dad, Alex, says the entire family loves Small Factory, and is thrilled with the skills Luca has been learning. And he’s not the only one.

“He just impressed one of my friends who is a professional cameraman and an editor,” said Alex.

Vincent Mann Jr., 10, uses his real life as inspiration in “Mr. Red’s Explosion,” the tale of a man who0

“It’s fun to make up my own characters and learn how to make my own movies,” said Vinny. “Learning animation is fun!”

FilmOneFest is an international festival of one-minute movies that has become a major attraction in Monmouth County. The festival was named “the best little film festival in the world by SmartMovieMaking.com

As part of FilmOneFest, FilmYoungFest gives youth of varying ages a platform to express their creative visions and personal statements, all within the one-minute framework of FilmOneFest. Having four Small Factory children in the festival is a source of pride for the event.

“It’s going to be a fun festival with great new additions,” said Beth Herbruck, organizer of the FilmYoungFest and a past FilmOneFest Co-Director. “It always makes me additionally excited when we can include local talent in FilmOneFest. The fact that we can incorporate more young, up-and-coming filmmakers in the new FilmYoungFest and support our local creative community is a win-win.”

For more information on the festival, visit www.filmonefest.org.

Think your child is a perfect fit for the creative environment at Small Factory Productions? Visit the Small Factory website at www.mysmallfactory.com for more information.