Update #3: Brinda School Screening
My apologies for the long delay in updates. I was home for the holidays (great to see so many of you) and just recently returned to India. It's time to jump back into the project feet first and update you on our developments.
On December 23rd, right before catching my flight to the US, we screened the pilot episode at Brinda School where 4 of the 6 kids who starred in the DVD attend. Not only were the kids thrilled to share it with their classmates, their classmates were thrilled to see them on screen--movie stars in their midst. I've attached a photo from the screening. Arranging this viewing for the entire school was a small challenge because as you can see from the pictures, the school does not have a large enough space for all the students except in the 'auditorium' which only has one outlet and lots of outside light, although no overhead lights. After realizing that the wall did not display the picture well enough, we brought a screen in addition to a projector, and speakers from our office which allowed all the kids to see and listen to it. Viewing movies, educational or otherwise, is not part of the regular curriculum at this school, so it was a special treat for everyone.
We are currently in the process of assessing the pilot episode at the above mentioned school as well as others to get valuable feedback from the teachers and students. Since the whole school screening, we've viewed it with the 4th graders three times as part of our initial assessment. Additionally, we are doing pre and post assessments with several students from each class to gauge the overall learning outcomes. Its a learning process for us as well, but we are borrowing ideas from the creators of Sesame Street. We are training volunteers to help us with the assessment and we will continue screening it and collecting feedback for another 1-2 months. This information will be invaluable as we develop the next set of scripts.
We are eager for outside feedback and comments as well. There are several copies of the DVD in the US floating around and plenty of copies in India. If you would like to view it for yourself, or know of educationists that may be willing to provide feedback, please let me know and I'll try to get you a copy.
Happy 2010!
Kirsten
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Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on March 17, 2010.
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Tea Time: Every little bit counts. Even $1 will buy biscuits, chai and one meal for a student while we are shooting.
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Duru: Receive a ‘shout out’ on our program blog. You may need ear plugs for this one.
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January: Previous reward, plus get a personal handwritten postcard from India to you, written by one of the child artists.
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Sukku: Get a digital download of the original soundtrack from the pilot episode “Wow! What’s that sound?”
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Sher Singh: Get your own copy of the pilot episode “Wow! What’s that sound?”
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SANTA'S SPECIAL (residents of Portland, OR only): Kickstart our project goal. Make a pledge BEFORE December 23rd and wake up on Christmas day to find the Ready to Read tote bag, DVD, and original soundtrack on your doorstep--delivered by Ms. Claus herself. Plus a “thank you” in the credits (if we get our project full funded).
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NEW YEAR'S SPECIAL (US & Canadian residents only): Kickstart our project goal. Make a pledge BEFORE December 25th and get the Ready to Read tote bag, DVD, and original soundtrack delivered to your house before New Year's. Plus a “thank you” in the credits (if we get our project full funded).
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What’s that sound?: Sponsor your favorite sound (I’ll send you a list to choose from) and get the Ready to Read tote bag with a DVD, and a “thank you” in the credits.
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Booga Booji: Sponsor the design and making of a costume and get a personalized video greeting from Booga Booji and his tree (birthday message, congratulations, etc), the tote bag with a DVD, and a “thank you” in the credits.
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Tommy the Tiger: Sponsor an original song for our remaining production and get a personalized video greeting from Gili Gili Valli on her caravan (birthday message, congratulations, etc.), the tote bag with a DVD, and a “thank you” in the credits.
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Ranga the Rabbit: Sponsor an original animation sequence and get a personalized video greeting from Ranga the Rabbit on his great big red rocket (birthday message, congratulations, etc.), the tote bag with a DVD, and a “thank you” in the credits.
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Associate Producer: Sponsor the production of an episode and we will use your name or your company name and logo as the Associate Producer, plus get the tote bag with a DVD and of course a mention in the credits. If you want more details about sponsoring the production at this level, please contact me directly!
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Discover our Set: Join me for a 5-7 day tour of Tamil Nadu including visits to several of Tamil Nadu’s most famous temples and heritage sites, a picnic outing with the stars and status as Executive Producer for the production of an episode plus the tote bag with a DVD (inclusive of economy class airfare, 3 star accommodation, train travel and meals). If you want more details about sponsoring the production at this level, please contact me directly!
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Connected as Kirsten Anderson
I began my decade-long relationship with India while studying in Madurai during college. After graduating from Grinnell College, I returned to Madurai and worked as a program assistant for the SITA Program and volunteered for SEED, an after school education program for disadvantaged students. I've co-led high school exchange trips to Saudi Arabia and South India and have taught English in Japan on the JET Programme for three years. My MA TEFL/TESL graduate thesis brought together my dedication to education and social issues in India through a comparative analysis of private and government published English textbooks. Last year I received a grant from Grinnell College to extend my AIF Clinton Service in India fellowship as well as to initiate the Ready to Read project with Aid India in Chennai.
