Socially Conscious Kids Cartoons Steal the Show at the 55th Annual New York Emmy® Awards

Fair Haven, NJ (April 2, 2012) – On April 1st, 2a012, Chris Dudick, Executive Producer of Small Factory Productions in Fair Haven, NJ, was presented with the Emmy® Award for children’s programming at the 55th Annual New York Emmy® Award Gala at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square. The Awards honor the talents and abilities of those who strive to improve the quality of television. The winning “Kids Kare” socially conscious cartoons were created during Small Factory Production’s Create-a-Cartoon program. This interactive, educational arts activity is open to children ages four to twelve at the Small Factory studio and off-site at schools, hospitals and community organizations.

“It’s a huge honor to win an Emmy® Award for Excellence in Children’s Programming,” said Chris Dudick, Executive Producer, Small Factory Productions. “Small Factory Productions turns a hopeful eye to the next generation. Our socially conscious animated shorts, created by kids for kids, boast authentic voices that are relatable to children of all ages and offer a plan to parents for raising more engaged, community-minded kids. Our Award will hopefully expand the program to help more children tap into the arts for healing and learning.”

The “Kids Kare” young storytellers and animators have inspired the spirit of volunteerism and responsibility through their exciting cartoons and songs, boasting authentic, imaginative stories. The message of the young producers is simple – let’s join forces as the youngest generation to change the world by inspiring others to save lives, care for animals and lend a helping hand. They invite others to change the world with them, one cartoon at a time. To view the Emmy Winning “Kids Kare” cartoons, visit www.mysmallfactory.com.

One of the cartoons featured on the Emmy-Nominated Cartoon “Kids Kare” series was created by children from Riverview Medical Center’s Children’s Art Therapy Program. The teen artists created the animated film short “Tyler’s Reef” to help other children deal with the loss of a loved one. All the children involved were able to pull from their own experiences to create a heartfelt story of loss and love. The project was funded by a grant from the Provident Bank through collaboration with Riverview Medical Center’s Children’s Art Therapy Program and Small Factory Productions. Other films featured are: “Ready, Set, Prepare Yourself” and “Emergency Experts” created in collaboration with New York City’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM) and the Department of Education, and “Tails of Love” and “Habitat Heroes” created in partnership with the Purr’n Pooch Foundation for Animals and Robertsville Elementary School, Robertsville, NJ.

Ages 3-6

Mondays • 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm
Register for Spring I Session (March 5 – April 28) >
(No classes the weeks of April 2 & April 9)
Register for Spring II Session (April 30 – June 9) >

Fridays • 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm
Register for Spring I Session (March 5 – April 28) >
(No classes the weeks of April 2 & April 9)
Register for Spring II Session (April 30 – June 9) >

$170 per 6-week session

Ages 2-4

Fridays • 11:00 am – 12:00 pm

Register for Spring I Session (March 5 – April 28)>
(No classes week of April 2 & April 9)

Register for Spring II Session (April 30 – June 9)>

Ages 7 – 12

Tuesdays
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Register for Spring I Session (March 5 – April 28) >
No classes the weeks of April 2 & April 9

Register for Spring II Session (April 30 – June 9) >

CREATE-A-CARTOON

Ages 5 – 8
$240
Register >  June 25 – June 29 • 9:00 am – 10:30 am
Register >  July 16 – July 20 • 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm
Register >  July 30 – August 3 • 9:00 am – 10:30 am
Register >  August 13 – August 17 • 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm
Register >  August 20 – August 24 • 9:00 am – 10:30 am

Ages 8 – 12
$240
Register >  June 25 – June 29 • 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm
Register >  July 16 – July 20 • 9:00 am – 10:30 am
Register >  July 30 – August 3 • 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm
Register >  August 20 – July 20 • 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm

CREATIVE WRITING

Age 6+
$160
Register >  July 23 – July 27 • 1:00 pm -  2:30 pm
Register >  August 27 – August 31 • 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm

SPORTS TALK RADIO

Age 7+
$160
Register >  July 16 – July 20 • 11:00 am – 12:30 pm
Register >  July 30 – August 3 • 11:00 am – 12:30 pm
Register >  August 13 – August 17 • 11:00 am – 12:30 pm

VOICE & MUSIC PRODUCTION

Age 6+
$200
Register >  July 23 – July 27 • 11:00 am – 12:30 pm
Register >  August 20 – August 24 • 11:00 am – 12:30 pm

VIDEO GAME

Ages 7 – 12
$240
Register >  July 9 – July 13 • 11:00 am – 13:30 pm
Register >  August 6 – August 10 • 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm

PUPPET THEATRE

Ages 6 – 10
$200
Register >  July 9 – July 13 • 9:00 am – 10:20 am
Register >  July 23 – July 27 • 9:00 am – 10:20 am
Register >  August 6 – August 10 • 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm

CREATIVE STORYTELLING/ACTING

Ages 4 – 8
$165
Register >  August 6 – August 10 • 9:00 am – 10:30 am

RANDOM IMPROV

Ages 7 – 12
$165
Register >  August 13 – August 17 • 9:00 am – 10:30 am

SOCIAL SKILLS (BACK TO SCHOOL CAMP)

Ages 7 – 12
$300
Register >  August 27 – August 31 • 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm

CLAYMATION

Ages 8 – 12
$225
Register >  July 9 – July 13 • 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm

Create a Camp time that works for your child and his friends and get 50% off for organizing!

Ages 6 -10

Thursdays • 3:45 pm – 4:45 pm

$200 per 6 week session

Register for Spring I Session (March 8 – April 26) >
No classes held the weeks of April 2 & April 9

Register for Spring II Session (May 3 – May 31) >

Ages 8+

Saturdays
11:00 am – 12:00 pm 

$200 per 6-week session

Register for Spring I Session (March 10 – April 28) >
No classes held the weeks of April 2 & April 9

Register for Spring II Session (May 5 – June 2) >

Cartoons Prove Unique Tools in Teaching Children Emergency Preparedness

Fair Haven, NJ (November 5, 2011) – On September 26th, 2011, Small Factory Productions celebrated the premiere of its “Ready Schools” cartoons at the New York City Office of Emergency Management’s (OEM) “Partners in Preparedness” launch event at the Museum of Natural History. “Ready Schools” is a project of the OEM’s “Ready New York” program, which features informational guides and online resources to help New Yorkers prepare for all types of emergencies. In 2009, OEM and the Department of Education partnered to bring emergency preparedness education to elementary school classrooms, and today the program has grown from two colorful and creative guides to a suite of publications and videos.

In August 2011, OEM contracted Small Factory Productions to create cartoons based on the principles of “Ready Schools” to teach school children about preparing for emergencies. Over the course of two weeks, staff from OEM and Small Factory guided campers at a Police Athletic League in the Rockaways through the production company’s Create-a-Cartoon program. The children in grades 3-5 drew original cartoon characters, created scripts, and recorded voice-overs and songs for two cartoons. The cartoons, entitled “Ready, Set, Prepare” and “Emergency Experts” debuted at OEM’s “Partners in Preparedness” reception on September 26th at the American Museum of Natural History. To view the videos, visit www.mysmallfactory.com or www.nyc.gov/html/oem/html/news/videos.shtml.

“Small Factory Productions’ “Ready Schools” videos were launched only weeks after Hurricane Irene hit the East Coast on August 28th. Thanks to New York City’s Office of Emergency Management, children from across the five boroughs now have a better understanding of how to prepare for emergencies like Irene. Small Factory Productions was honored to be a part of this exciting project.” Chris Dudick, Small Factory Productions.

Read more >

Photo: Chris Dudick, President of Small Factory Productions (pictured on the left) with Children from the Police Athletic League in the Rockaways Celebrating the New York City Office of Emergency Management’s (OEM) “Ready Schools Partners in Preparedness” launch event at the Museum of Natural History.