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Children Learn Film Finesse At Media CenterA child learns filmmaking at Pacific Street Library's Media Center. (BrooklynPublic Library Photo)b i JEAN LENIHANPari of ihc United Naiions film shown all over ihe world for ihe Inicrnaiional Year of the Child, was made Iasi summer by children in a Boerum Hill library. Countries had been asked by the United Naiions to submit a film strip and from scores of United States entries, the one selected came from the Brooklyn Library branch on Pacific Street and 4th Avenue.The film, called \View,\blems that young children experience personally in different countries in the world. \the problem of drug addiction because it is something they see all around them.\he animation director at the Media Center on the second floor of the Pacific Street Library.The filmstrip, using animation and video techniques shows the story of a young boy influenced by his friends to smoke marijuana in he schoolyard.POWERFUL EMOTIONSThe Media Center has an ongoing program where children ranging front preschoolers to high school students, use video and animation to tell stories, reveal fears and expand their dreams. Upon entering the studio the word \picture, giving an idea of the work done there. It is done in tiled red letters, with all the power and anger the emotion implies. Small classes give Louis Ebarb and Priscilla Ellington, (the video program director), the opportunity to establish close relationships with the children.After two and a half years inexistence, the Media Center is growing faster than ever. Created by the New York State LibraryService Construction Act. and funds from BACA, (the Brooklyn Arts and Culture Assoc.), they work hand in hand with the librarystaff on productions and programs.\only means of education.\Fritz John, who heads the Media Center and whose enthusiasm and devotion have made the Media Center what it is today. \major form of communication,\says, \youngsters to come to theirlibrary.%u201d John is intent on keeping these programs on a high level byhaving a relatively small number of kids. \well than taking on more than we can handle and doing a second rate job.\Children are treated with respect at the Center, but also have to take on responsibilities. They must come to register for their coursc-- Mom can't do it for them. \have to show interest themselves.%u201d John explains. There arc no prerequisites for the workshops, and all students complete a film, whether they did it before or not.They do get help but arc expected to come up with, and carry out their own ideas.SKILLED TECHNICIANSThe animation program, where kids draw and film their movies, is primarily for the younger students. Ebarb and Ellington once worked with a group they had to wake from naptime to start work. Older kids do most of the video work and get technical training to use the equipment on a professional level. \worked with to make a film, that%u2019s what fine technicians they are,%u2019 %u2019says Ellington. Although she is concentrating this year's video program on story creation and actit g. all the children will run the vid e machines also.A presentation o f completed films ends each course, and kids invite their parents and friends to see w tat kept them w'atching T.V. for th: past eight weeks. Certificates o f merit are presented to each child and the movies are previewed. But this is not the end of the child%u2019 s connection with the center. Old students are encoraged to retu -n to the next program, to increase their skills and help the newer s udcnls with their films. The ccn ers ultimate goal is to always have their kids keep coming back, to go out on neighborhood shoots every two weeks.The ecr tor%u2019s staff is planning more grea things for Brooklyn. Fifteen branches of the Brooklyn Public Libnry have video workshops now. and they hope to expand even further. Programs for adults arc brewing, but the only workshop with openings right now is at The Brooklyn Heights Library Branch at Cadman Plaza starting the first week in November. It is for 10-14 year olds and is an animation program.Besides these ongoing programs, the Center is involved with other projects in the community. Films of indoor fairs, community cleanups, and projects have already been made and more are coming. %u2018 We arc a growing compogcm, getting more and more help each year,\QWelandra&N o v e m b e r s p e c ia lsA lm o n d s 11b.Reg. $4.Sale $ 2 .9 9S u n f lo w e rS e e d s 1 lb.Reg. $1.10S ale 7 9 CR ich life v it a m in Cw i t h Rose H ip s soom9Reg. 3.90 s a le 2 .4 9 II 250 tabs _ . _ __ IReg. 8.40 Sale 5 .4 9 |M iH c re e kJ o jo b a S h a m p o o& J o jo b a OilReg. 9.95 Sale 6 .9 5MillcreeksozJ o jo b a S h a m p o oReg. 3.50 Sale .9 9154 M ontague Street| Brooklyn Heights, n .y .I 855-6068 Open 7 Days Mon-sat 10-7 Sun 12-6Page 24, The PHOENIX, November 1,1979