Whippersnappers Snapping

By Rob Christopher in Arts & Entertainment on Dec 6, 2007 7:03PM

Golly, when it comes to Christmas presents why the heck would any parent waste hundreds of dollars on a mound of crappy, potentially-toxic plastic toys for their kid? Most of 'em'll end up in next summer's garage sale anyway. There are so many cooler options out there: do some browsing at this weekend's Renegade Craft Fair and you'll be sure to find a few, or go all out and sign up your kid for Chicago Filmmaker's Winter Youth Video Production Workshop.

The ten-week session will give twelve lucky children the chance to create, produce, and edit their own movies on digital equipment. The class ends with a screening night of all the projects for family and friends, and everyone gets their own copy to take home on DVD. The $600 cost of the workshop might sound steep at first. But if you the cut out all the high-tech crap from your kid's wish list, the expense is more than justified. That kind of hands-on creative stimulation is priceless and will sure last a lot longer than some gizmo that's designed to become obselete.

The workshop will run Saturdays from January 12 to March 15. Because space is strictly limited, parents are urged to apply now. Call Chicago Filmmakers at (773) 293-1447 for more information.