Amanda O'Brien

Thesis – Personal Statement

When I began my graduate degree program at New York University’s Interactive Telecommunications Program, I needed to find a part-time job. I heard about the America Reads Program, which places students in New York City schools to tutor Math and English. I had always enjoyed being around children and at the time, had decided that my “major” in school was going to be toy design. Ultimately I decided that I would benefit from the exposure to children and I began tutoring the third grade class at the Beekman International School in Manhattan.

While I was tutoring, I was taking an animation class, Methods of Motion. I had a few clips of my claymation assignment on my laptop, and played them for the third grade class. After seeing the enthusiastic response from the children, the teacher asked if I wanted to teach a lesson in claymation. I immediately agreed. We decided to take advantage of this unique situation and began brainstorming on how to teach claymation in a way that was age appropriate. Our plan was to continue with what the children were already scheduled to learn (the country of Mexico) and apply it to making a short, stop motion film.

The children researched Mexico both online and during reading time. They then applied the information they had gathered to: write a script, build five movie sets, create armature clay figures, design and sew clothing for the armatures, make an audio recording, play the music for the ending credits and record an eight minute stop motion film!

The curriculum that the teacher and I put together was a complete success! The children became entirely immersed in making their first movie, and at times forgot that they were actually doing work. The children were extremely happy and very proud to show their work. We had a big movie screening for the parents and teachers, and the school even posted the finished movie on their website.

Being able to use fine arts and multi-media in an academic setting was thrilling! It was not just informative, but it was also a great experience for the children. I hope bring this unique experience to more children. My thesis will make the details of this project an online, community space, where people to both share the details of their own experience and copy the successes of others.