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SMALL FACTORY PRODUCTIONS PREMIERES ITS “READY SCHOOLS” CARTOONS AT NEW YORK CITY
OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT’S “PARTNERS IN PREPAREDNESS” LAUNCH EVENT
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.
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.
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ROBERTSVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND SMALL FACTORY PRODUCTIONS PREMIERE “HABITAT HEROES”
Animated Student Film Explores the Humane Treatment of Animals and is Dedicated to the Purr’n Pooch Foundation for Animals
[Fair Haven, NJ] On May 16, 2011, Mrs. Ilene Brudner’s third grade class from Robertsville Elementary School in Morganville, NJ celebrated the premiere of its animated film, “Habitat Heroes”. The class dedicated the film to the Purr’n Pooch Foundation for Animals, a non-profit organization that provides financial support and educational resources to animal rescue groups. More than 50 parents, school administrators, teachers and students gathered in the school’s library to view the film, which was created over the course of six weeks and made possible by a grant and production support from the Emmy Nominated children’s production company, Small Factory Productions of Fair Haven, NJ. Following the premiere, Mrs. Brudner’s students presented representatives from the Purr’n Pooch Foundation for Animals with a mountain of pet care products, accessories, treats, toys and nonperishable food generously purchased and collected by the class, teachers and their families.
The five minute animated film, “Habitat Heroes”, created by kids for kids at Robertsville Elementary School, features unique characters like Elaroo the Elephant, Radical the Rattlesnake and Flubber the Penguin who tell the story of their mission to stop Dr. Stinklebob from destroying their habitat in the jungles of South Africa.
Visit www.mysmallfactory.com/video/browse/Habitat_Heroes to view the film, or join the Purr’n Pooch Foundation for Animals and Small Factory at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 25th at “Paws for a Cause Day” at Pier Village in Long Branch, NJ. Visit www.purrnpoochfoundation.org for event details.
“Small Factory Productions took our children’s imaginations to the highest level. Spanning across all areas of the curriculum, students were able to send an important message to our entire school community,” Ilene Brudner, third grade class teacher, Robertsville Elementary School. “I feel the importance of this project was beyond measure. It was one of the proudest and most memorable experiences in my 30 years of teaching!”
“With the guidance of Small Factory Productions, the children opened their hearts to the Purr’n Pooch Foundation for Animals while participating in an invaluable learning experience!” Brenna Greer, Media Specialist, Robertsville Elementary School.
“Mrs. Brudner’s students not only created an animated film, but they also inspired the entire Robertsville Elementary School to help save the lives of animals through their support of the Purr’n Pooch Foundation. This Small Factory partnership is an excellent example of how today’s curriculum can be infused with rich, creative programming that opens a child’s heart and eyes to learning,” Chris Dudick, Owner, Small Factory Productions.
Small Factory’s “Create a Cartoon” program for schools is an amazing way to let children’s imaginations soar while introducing them to creative writing, art, music and acting. Young producers work together to dream up an original story by using their own imaginations. Every cartoon has characters, settings and plots that young producers can create. Creative writing, art, acting and teamwork are just a few of the skills that students acquire and build upon during Small Factory’s courses.
LOCAL BUSINESSES INVITED TO PLAY A “TUNE FOR TAILS” JINGLE TO PROMOTE PET ADOPTION DURING THE HOLIDAY SHOPPING SEASON
Fair Haven, NJ (November 28, 2011) – This fall, children in first, second and third grades from across Monmouth County submitted songs about their adopted dogs and cats during the Monmouth County SPCA “Tunes for Tails” songwriting contest. The contest was sponsored by Purr’n Pooch Pet Resorts and produced by Small Factory Productions.
Over the course of several workshops, coordinated by Small Factory’s music teacher Matt Cook, the winning songwriters, Marc Meloni from Oceanport; Lily and Aine McDonough from Rumson; Hanna Hale from Hazlet; Madelyn Delvecchio from Fair Haven; and Mrs. Ilene Brudner’s Third Grade Class from Robertsville Elementary School in Morganville, NJ created and recorded their 30-second jingle. The song debuted on 94.3 The POINT’s Lou and Liz Show on November 17th. Visit monmouthcountyspca.org to listen to the jingle online.
The children hope their catchy, upbeat jingle catches on with families seeking to buy pets for the holidays. Christmas is a busy season for puppy mills and pet stores as they crank out puppies by the thousands in time to fill children’s holiday wish lists. The goal of the jingle is to inspire families to adopt versus buy the family dog or cat.
Children are taught the importance of personal responsibility and that their actions can make a difference in the world by saving a life through pet adoption. According to the Humane Society of the United States, eight million animals were abandoned and an estimated four million dogs and cats were euthanized last year in the U.S. alone. Adopting your next best friend can change these disappointing numbers.
Businesses from across the region are invited to lend the songwriters a paw by playing the “Tunes for Tail” jingle during shopping hours throughout December 31st, 2011. Contact Matt Cook at Small Factory Productions at 732-212-1088 for more information.
“This holiday season, Purr’n Pooch has seen a growing number of our clientele adopting dogs and cats from area shelters and rescue organizations. These pets make wonderful family members and have much love to give in return for their rescue and care. Purr’n Pooch will play the “Tunes for Tails” jingle throughout the holiday season and hope area businesses join us tails wagging!” Elizabeth Palazzo, Purr’n Pooch Pet Resorts.
