After watching Star Wars over Christmas break when he was in the first grade, my son decided he wanted to be George Lucas when he grew up. He made his first movie on the last day of Christmas break.
At first I thought it was a joke. He came to me and said he wanted to make a movie. I was busy so I told him he needed to write a script first, thinking this would be too much work and he would find something else to do. He was back fifteen minutes later, script in hand. So the four of us spent the afternoon helping Drew make his movie, The Lonely Jaguar.
Soon after we discovered a stop-motion animation program for the Mac. Drew became obsessed. He was constantly making movies with his Star Wars toys. He and Jasmine filmed a Dora movie, a NASCAR short and a bunch of other stuff that we've never posted.
The video above was made back in January 2008. A few weeks ago, Drew started his own YouTube channel. Most of the videos on his channel are Star Wars/Clone Wars stories that he has written himself. He monitors followers and video views as carefully as some bloggers watch their SiteMeter stats. (You can watch his more recent videos here.) Trust me -- he'll notice and he'll be thrilled to see that more people have watched his videos :)
When this whole movie making thing first started, I was constantly being roped in to help, first with filming, then with editing. These days, he does everything on his own. Which is why, every weekend I surrender my computer and my dining room. While I clean house or read a book, my son is making movies, working toward his dream.
I'll admit it. I swell with motherly pride that he's willing to invest so much time in something that he is so passionate about. It also kicks my butt in gear and makes me want to work harder for my dreams, too.
Today I challenge you. We know it isn't all fun and games. It takes a lot of work. So do the work and make your dreams come true.
23 comments:
Wow! That was SO creative. I watched it with my five year old. Afterwards he yelled, "Again! Again!" So we watched it again.
What equipment do they use to do this?
Your kids (and dog) are adorable (and smart!).
Cool, Kelly! I'm glad he liked it!
That's so sweet of you, Sherrie. My 7 yo keeps talking about making a movie, but I think he's talking something more like a Disney digital animation. And I don't see that happening. I'll show him your son's video tonight.
Have a great weekend!
Wow! I am certain Drew will achieve his dream.
Just blown away.
Shelley
That's wonderful that he's so into it, and that he's learned to do it all himself! Very impressive.
That is pretty awesome. A future Spielberg in the making!
Amazing. Talk about some great initiative.
That's really cool! Obviously the creative bug runs in the family.
This morning, I was contemplating doing something like this myself, but it's not where my interests really lie. I'm glad he's pursuing his dream. That's so awesome.
Will check them out later today.
You are an awesome mom, and it shows in the great kids you have. Excellent post. I needed a reminder like this to kick my buns into gear.
Definitely cultivate that talent! How freakin'adorable!
Wow! I am SO impressed! What an amazing kid! I love your son! (maybe he wants a cute six-year-old blogger girl friend? :)
What an inspiration. I'm emailing myself the link because I can't watch videos at work.
That is very cool! So great he is starting now. =)
Stina: I think that's what Drew had in mind originally, but he's learned to make do with what he can!
Shelley: He inspires me to dream big every day!
Anna: He knows far more about it now than I even did back when I was helping out. But it's his passion so he works at it.
Lydia: Yeah, Spielberg, Cameron and Lucas are his heroes!
Lois: He's a very self-motivated kid. Keeps me on my toes!
Laura: My husband is an artist: painting, drawing, ceramics. So yes, we do all have our creative outlets in this family!
Sarah: That's the thing -- pursue the dream!
Roxy: Thanks! My kids do inspire me every day :)
Candy: Yes, we're realizing we need to save our pennies so he can go to film school!
Corey: LOL! He would probably love a blog buddy. But he still thinks the idea of a "girl friend" is gross :)
Elana: Hope you enjoy watching them!
Carolyn: No kidding! I'd be so much further along if I'd followed my passion from childhood!
I'm so impressed!!!! I need to show my boys this. They will love it!
That's the thing about kids, they don't have the doubts and fears that plague us as adults. They just go for it. Thanks so much!
My boys loved that! They laughed when the cat meowed. We'll have to check out his other movies. My boys and oldest daughter love making these too. They're working on one right now -- something about GI Joe and aliens.
Tell your kids great work!
So very amazing! That says a lot of about your parenting, Sherrie, that he's confident enough to work toward his dreams at such a young age.
Can I request he do a Thomas the Tank Engine one? I have a three year old that will be his biggest fan forever if so! (We have to spend way too much time looking at other amateur TTE creations on Youtube, so a new source would be appreciated! LOL!)
I am seriously in awe! There is no way I could have done something like that as a kid, even with the technology. That's a lot of work!
My daughter just sat and watched the video. She was captivated the entire time, no joke. Tell your children they do a great job!
I love the part where Dora suggest, "We'll put tape on our shoes." That's so how kids think with their creative problem skills. Way to go, Drew! I'll show this to my son who is already a fan of many stop motion vids. on You Tube.
I AM BLOWN AWAY! It's no surprise that your kids are creative (I mean, look at their mom), but they're SO young! And adorable. I want to eat them up! Thanks for sharing this...I'm amazed!
Kristin: You are so right! I think we need to remember to go for it. Hope your boys enjoyed the videos :)
Rena: GI Joe and aliens sound fun!
Jackee: Drew used to LOVE Thomas! Not sure if we still have any trains around though :)
Glam: I'm so glad that your daughter enjoyed watching the video! My kids have a blast making them and they love when other people enjoy watching them.
Lori: You're right -- that's the perfect example of childhood problem solving :)
LiLa: I'm pretty sure my kids are more creative than me. They're certainly more patient -- stop-motion animation takes a LOT of time. But they love doing it so to them it's just fun!
I love how you encourage your children to be creative. It is fabulous!
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