A Brave Writer's Life in Brief

Our family has movie night every Friday. We use our air popper to make classic movie popcorn. As soon as the kids smell and hear the popper roar to life they come from all corners of the house to help position the bowls right underneath the air popper machine. We then take our popcorn and chocolate milks and get cozy on the couch.

Last December we watched the 1964 stop action cartoon- Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. To make it really special I purchased reindeer antlers and red noses at the local dollar store for us to wear during the movie. I called it “Support Rudolph Night.”

Before and after the film, we discussed bullying. Rudolph in the film is bullied by being repeatably ignored, ridiculed, ostracized, and forced to hide who he is, all because of his unique red nose. Hermey and the toys on the Island of Misfit Toys in the film also feel ostracized.

Later on during the story, the very traits that the characters were bullied for end up saving the day. We discussed what to do if someone is bullying you, how to celebrate and accept the uniqueness of others rather than teasing them, how mean words really hurt, and how you could stand up and be an ally for someone else being bullied.

I was also ready to launch into a discussion on how stop action filming works but my kids were not interested this year. I’ll save that for next time.

~Katelyn

Images (cc)

Need help commenting meaningfully on plot, characterization, make-up and costumes, acting, setting and even film editing? Check out our eleven page guide, Brave Writer Goes to the Movies. Also, tell us about a film you and your kids watched together (along with a pic if you have one) and if we share it on the blog you’ll receive a free copy!

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