11-year-old filmmaker wins award at Windover center

NEWBURGH – Tien Misler of Winterport is only 11 years old, but she is making her first movie.

Every year for the past seven years Windover Art Center in Newburgh has offered a writing contest for children age 7 to 14. The story selected by a panel of judges is made into a short film.

Using Windover’s equipment and with the help of the staff and students, Tien, this year’s winner, is making her story “Tiki and the School Play” into a film. It’s a story about a young fairy who lacks confidence but rises above her fears and gets the lead in her school play.

Tien’s job has many aspects. Planning is essential. Auditions with Windover students, finding locations for filming and making costumes, props and sets will get things started. Once these things are in place, filming will begin.

Directing the actors, choosing camera angles, and dealing with weather and deadlines are just a few of Tien’s challenges. But Tien won’t be doing all the work on her own.

She will have the support of the Windover community. Staff members help with tasks from writing revisions to scheduling. The art department is making wings for the fairies, the theater department helps with actors, Windover students practice their lines and are ready on the set, and Windover video instructor Alexander Marquis plans with Tien the day’s list of scenes to be shot.

As the winner of the Windover Filmmaker’s Prize, Tien is involved with all the planning and behind-the-scenes work that must be done.

She is the daughter of Jeri and Scott Misler and will attend Samuel Wagner School this fall. Tien loves acting, animals and all forms of art.

Past winners of the Windover Prize have reported that making a film was more difficult than they expected, but they were pleased to have the opportunity. And when it is finished, they have their story transformed into a film that can be shown for years to come. Children have the experience of working as a team and planning – two key elements to any big project.

Windover Art Center holds the contest every year. Children age 7 to 14 may submit an original story by June 1, 2009, for the next contest. Judges look for the most original story and one with a good message or happy ending.

For more information, call Windover Art Center at 234-4503, e-mail Windover.art@mac.com or visit www.windoverartcenter.com.

Windover recently announced the addition of two new members to its board of directors. Jenifer Wilson and Taunya Harvill are parents of Windover students who became active at Windover as a result of their children’s positive experiences. Other board members of the nonprofit organization are Jim Corliss, Bill Kuykendall, Ruth DeFeo, Martha J. Harris, Executive Director Mari Abercrombie and Nathaniel Putnam.