Dd not given a part in filmmaking project

[Akiko]

My Dd, year 4 in a prep school is doing a filmmaking project at Drama. Each child would have a role: ACTOR, DIRECTOR, CAMERAMAN, PRODUCER. I am very disappointed that my child will not have any of the creative parts, but have been chosen to be an assisstant. I know that she is quite shy and not pushy, but I feel, that the teacher should give opportunity to each child. I know, there are too many children in the year group, they have chosen the most talented and outgoing children.

Please, give me advise, How to approach the teacher without sounding too pushy.I just want my dd to experience the joy of creating and not just sit and watch what the others are doing.

Does your DD actually want any of those roles? Is she a specific assistant? How were the children chosen? What does her role involve?

I don't think you'd be very popular if you walked in and said you wanted your DD to have a better role. Besides, as assistant doesn't mean she won't be part of it - if it's a whole class project everyone will be involved.

Honestly, you need to let it be. 'Experience the joy of creating'?? SHe is an assistant, whe will be involved. If it bothers you that much then go ahead and have your own movie makign project at home. By god, that teacher must dread handing out roles for the Christmas play

Do NOT approach the teacher - she will think you are a loon!

Oh V good.

I like the prep school touch.

Maybe the four children selected for the names roles are just as worthy of their roles and just as deserving and ready to "experience the joy of creating."

What do you hope to achieve by going in to speak to the teacher? Do you want one of the four other childrn taken out of the prohect to make way for your child?

Is there unfairness in that these same children get to do everything in school? Do they always get the main parts?

I just wonder why is she not having the confidence to show all she can at school? We did a movie at home and she came up with some great ideas.
I am not english, so I do not quite get the "prep" touch. I do not know how to deal with this in the best possible way, but should i just "let it be" and my Dd be pushed "backstage" and think of herself as not talented enough and not worthy?
I think that each child has talents, only that some of them are supressed.
In our case, being an assisstant to this project is not helping, she will not take an active part, lose interest and not benefit from the experience.

She will learn a lot from being an assistant - will be able to contribute her own ideas to the group and will learn how to co-operate in a shared activity in which everyone plays a part. This is a hugely important life skill. You are being a pushy parent and you need to remember that there are up to 30 other children in this class, many of whom will have been given a role of 'assistant'. In my experience, those who deal with this graciously and enthusiastically are the ones who really make progress in life.

There are activities available outside of school for using film or film making! I am sending my year 5 son on a Lights Camera Action activity in the October holidays which is something I have booked myself after he showed an interest. I did it through the East Midlands Regional Partnership for G&T at www.emgate.org.uk. It's got some really good activities and advice. I'm sure she will gain alot of experience as an assistant though

Not getting the top part on every single occasion is not the same as being suppressed: it is a vital life experience. Especially for a child with ambitions related to the film industry: anyone who is interested in acting or film has to learn to cope with rejection.

How much good do you think it would have done your dd if they had all been given the label Director? If the title had been given to 30 children, it would hardly have meant a lot.