A new film using the language of dance is now available online, in an effort to provide educators new approaches to bullying for school-aged children.
, a non-verbal film, is part of an online education initiative to foster healthier relationships for kids through social emotional learning and conflict resolution. The project is a collaboration between B次元官网网址� Walk Away, Ignore, Talk it out and Seek Help B次元官网网址� the University of Victoria and Suddenly Media Productions.
David Ferguson, co-artistic director of Victoria-based , produced, co-directed and edited the 2015 film. It was released Oct. 15 and is now available for streaming to parents, educators and caregivers for $20. Its mantra: with no words, the film speaks to everyone.
Ferguson says the project was made possible in part by a grant from the City of Victoria in 2015, allowing the theatre to assemble a team of filmmakers together with six young performers. B次元官网网址淚 was surprised how instantly comfortable a lot of them were in front of the camera,B次元官网网址� he says, adding the kidsB次元官网网址� media-savvy skills made filming efficient and productive.
B次元官网网址淚 would have called it an anti-bullying film,B次元官网网址� Ferguson explains. B次元官网网址淏ut B次元官网网址榓ntiB次元官网网址� is language thatB次元官网网址檚 become out of fashion for some educators.B次元官网网址�
He says most of the language around bullying can be talkative and preachy, but itB次元官网网址檚 important to remember that not all kids (or adults) learn that way. Additionally, using a physical language like dance enables the message to reach those with speech or hearing issues as well as immigrants learning new languages.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 really a toolkit,B次元官网网址� Ferguson says. B次元官网网址淚t offers a lot of questions and comes with a facilitators guide so people can have points of reference.B次元官网网址�
Through fundraising initiatives online, the long-term goal is to see the project translated into other languages. While itB次元官网网址檚 currently available in just English and French, a Spanish version is in the works and will require translation of the guide, the acronym and the websites.
With the rise of cyberbullying, Ferguson says heB次元官网网址檇 also like to see a teenage version made to tackle the stresses related to conflict from their point of view.
B次元官网网址淭he film has a timelessness that allows it to be as far reaching as possible.B次元官网网址�
