Inspire Me Now

Kid Tested: Kid as Documentary Movie Maker

How can you make a museum trip interesting to a disinterested pre-teen or teen? Give them a camera and put them in control of documenting their experience. Then, upload and edit their photos into a documentary-style movie.

"Preamble" by Mike Wilkins; The artist requested license plates from all 50 states in order to create this artwork honoring the preamble of the United States Constitution. (Photo by Ashton McGettigan)

My nephew Ashton is 11 years old. I thankfully note here that he lacks the "I don't care" attitude most kids take on at this age. However, lately he's become increasingly independent and has even adopted a bit of a sarcastic streak.

My sister-in-law brought my nephews and niece into DC for a Sunday afternoon museum trip. I thought it would be good to give Ashton an independent activity that would put him in control of his experience. The point was not to have an experience laden with adult-directed learning, but rather to give him some choice and the opportunity for self-expression.

When we arrived at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, I handed him a digital camera and explained that he was our photographer for the day. I showed him how to turn off the flash (since flash photography is not allowed in most art museums). Then, I explained that when we got home he could upload and edit his photos into an iMovie.

While the adults walked through the museum with the younger kids, Ashton went at his own pace-- always nearby, but focusing on the artworks he was drawn to. When he found something that interested him, he really took the time to set up his photo. Often, he specifically zoomed in to the scenes in paintings or aspects of sculptures that interested him most.

Ashton's photo of "The Headless Horseman Pursuit of Ichabod Crane" zooms in on the action scene in the middle of the painting. (Artwork by John Quidor, 1858)

When we arrived back home, we uploaded all of his photos onto the computer. I opened up iMovie and showed him how to transfer the photos onto the movie workspace. Throughout the process, I introduced him to a task, and then let him play around with it for awhile on his own. Though I would check back to help him with the next stage of editing, my help was not needed for the most part. He had never used iMovie, but was quickly able to figure it out-- making my hours spent laboring over it give me the acute sense that I am technologically disabled and old.

He did need some assistance with adding music to his movie. I showed him how to scroll through our i-tunes list. He was less than impressed with our music selections. He complained, "Aunt Tiffany, I don't know any of this music."

A quick trip to his parents' car yielded a Black Eyed Peas CD and an upload to our computer. As he explained to my husband and I who the Black Eyed Pea were, we happily retorted that we had actually heard of them and that despite the extensive jazz music on our computer, we were actually somewhat hip.

As Ashton finalized his editing, he played with the colors and exposure of some of his photos-- making the kind of choices an artist would in order to give the viewer a specific effect. He enjoyed adding transitions between photos, as well.

When he finished, he proudly emerged from our office to request a whole family viewing. We all gathered around to watch the movie, his younger brother bopping along to "I Got a Feeling." Through the viewing, we got special insight into Ashton's museum experience through his eyes. 

Later I was able to upload the movie to YouTube. Ashton plans to share it with his friends, and get this- his history teacher.

With the objective of putting him in control of the experience, he not only wanted to participate, but really enjoyed the process. His mom, on the other hand, has a bone to pick with me. Ashton has requested that he make a documentary film every time they visit a cultural site.

My bad.

Want to do this with your teen?

This process would work well at any cultural venue that allows photography. Just make sure your teen knows how to use the camera, and how to turn off the flash.

Chances are that most teens understand software like iMovie better than adults. To illustrate my point, consider that every YouTube tutorial I viewed on the topic "How to use iMovie" was created by a 13 year old.

Here are some different programs your teen can use to create a movie or slide show:

iMovie-- This software is available for Mac users and allows you to upload photo or video clips for editing. You can add music, text, and special transitions between images.

Movie Maker-- This software is available for Windows users. A tutorial on how to use it is available here. You can use photos or video to make your movie with this program.

Power Point-- If you have Power Point on your computer, this is another easy way to make a slide show with photos, text, and transitions. Did you know you can upload power point slides to Facebook?

A Visit and an Activity: the National Gallery of Art and fingerpainting

Follow a visit to the National Portrait Gallery with an at-home fingerpainting activity, inspired by Chuck Close.

Fanny/ Fingerpainting by Chuck Close (National Portrait Gallery)

Let's face it. An art museum can be a challenging place to take children simply because there is little to touch and there is an expectation to observe the artworks quietly.

But for me, after years of working with children of all ages, I've known few children who did not love creating artworks themselves. I've known few children who were not delighted by pictures and the stories they tell.

Consider an art museum an opportunity to inspire a child's creativity.

For example, take this artwork by Chuck Close. Found in the Concourse level (lower floor) of the East Wing at the National Gallery of Art, people are naturally drawn to stop and take a long look. From a distance, the painting looks strikingly like a photograph. Chuck Close's paintings were often based on real photographs, blurring the background out of focus the way a camera lens would.

When you approach this large painting, approach from a distance. Stand several feet away and ask the child "What do you think this is?" Most likely, the child will tell you that it looks like a photograph. Now, step close enough to see the artist's fingerprints. Let the child look and try to figure out how the artist put the ink on the canvas.

If the child is old enough, you may talk about how the artist made the painting look realistic through the detailed wrinkles and the shading.

Finally, tell the child that they are going to try this artistic technique at home with a photograph. Who would they like to paint? Why? What do they think it will be like to paint with fingerprints?

Home Activity:

Find a photograph of your child or one of your family members. Place it into a Word document and enlarge it to fit an 8 1/2" x 11" piece of paper. Print.

Set up a fingerpainting station for your child with different colors and plenty of newspaper or paper towels. If your child is older, you may consider having them use an ink pad for the fingerpringing, just like Chuck Close did.

Give your child the printed photo and show them how to make fingerprints to create the image. They can use any of their fingers to make a print, but cannot make strokes.

After the activity, compare the child's painting to the original photograph. It's okay if it doesn't look the same. Remember, every artist has their own style.

Some tips for visiting the National Gallery of Art:

• The National Gallery of Art's East Wing is located at 4th St NW and Constitution Ave. The closest Metro station is Judiciary Square on the Red Line, Archives on the Yellow/Green Lines and Smithsonian on the Blue/ Orange Lines. Public parking is limited to the surrounding streets and commercial garages.
• For gallery maps, hours, and more information to plan your trip, click here
• To plan your route on the Metro, use the Metro Trip Planner.
• For lunch or a snack, consider walking through the underground concourse that connects the East and West Wing's of the museum. Your family will enjoy the series flashing lights in the tunnel as they approach the Cascade Cafe. The espresso and gelato bar adjacent to the Cascade Cafe may provide a good pick-me-up for a tired parent. On your way out, check out the children's section of the museum store.

Tips for Looking at Art with children:

While you are visiting the museum, you will want to spend some time in the galleries. Let your child explore and respond to artworks that interest him/ her. When you look at an artwork together, the following questions should be helpful in developing observation and analysis skills:

• What do you see?(let your child list details throughout the artwork, really take the time to explore different details)
  
• What colors does the artist use?
• What kind of materials does he/ she use?
• How does the artwork make you feel?
• Do you like it? Why or why not?
• Is there a message the artist might be telling us?
• Is there a story the artwork is telling? (Let your child make up a story, if he or she is inspired)

If your children are older, you might also consider bringing a small sketch pad along.

Web Feature: Mammal Family Reunion {from the National Museum of Natural History}

 

Before you plan a family visit to the Mammal Hall at the National Museum of Natural History, spend some time exploring the Mammal Family Reunion web feature.

Certainly, your child will be surprised to learn that humans are mammals, along with dogs, dolphins, kangaroos, and so many other animals-- many we may not think to compare ourselves to. The interactive game guides your child through the characteristics of a mammal, the evolution of mammals, and the places in the world where mammals live.

Along the way, there are many opportunities to interact with the game-- whether by selecting animals who are members of the mammal family or dragging a temperature bar up to see how different animals' blood temperature responds (mammals are warm blooded, so their blood temperature will always stay the same).

You will want to be nearby when your child plays, as the success of some of the features are a little sensitive to where the mouse points on the screen. It's also a good idea to be nearby in order to reinforce the language. Although the game is written on an accessible level, there are still some scientific terms which may be difficult for some children without an adult's help.

This is a great way to prepare for a visit to the Mammal Hall, but it also stands alone as a fun way to learn about mammals without leaving your home.

More Information

You can find the game on the museum's website here: Mammal Family Reunion

For information about visiting the National Museum of Natural History, see here.

If you are interested in past web features, click here.