What's newKids are stars at festival’s ‘Movie Magic’
Hollywood and Vine will intersect in Lodi at this year’s Lodi Grape Festival and Harvest Fair when Mad Science Productions brings “Movie Magic: The Science Behind the Movies” to the celebration.
The Pink Panther leads audience members into the world of movie production
at the “Movie Magic: The Science Behind the Movies” stage show, presented
by Mad Science Productions at this years Lodi Grape Festival and Harvest
Fair which will rung from Sept. 16-19. (Courtesy photo)
Children can learn how their favorite movies are made and participate in this interactive stage show, sponsored by Diede Construction.
“We make science fun and learning engaging rather than classroom settings which, for whatever reason, kids reject,” said Mad Science Vice President Leonard Lipes.
The Montreal-based company produces science programs and activities that are delivered by local franchisees.
The production company’s stage shows delve into subjects such as Newton’s Laws of Motion or outer space missions to Mars. While the kids are being entertained, their brains are also being filled with useful information.
“We engage them so they don’t know they’re learning,” Lipes said.
The show at the festival will demystify the process of making movies, which has used more and more technology over the years, he said.
“Most people don’t have a clue that when they watch a person on a ski hill (in a movie), they’re not really on that ski hill,” Lipes said.
Using green screen technique, where actors are filmed in front of a green backdrop replaced with location footage in post-production, actors can appear to be in places where they aren’t.
Children participating in the show will experience this first hand as they step into scenes from “Legally Blonde” and “Agent Cody Banks.”
Audience members will call “Lights, camera, action!” on their own movie production where they’ll act, direct, make sound effects, work with lighting and create camera effects.
When the show wraps, they will have made a 2-minute film starring members from the audience.
Showtimes are 5:30, 7 and 8:30 p.m. Thursday and 3, 4:30, 6, 7:30 and 9 p.m. Friday through Sunday.
The 40-minute show is appropriate for ages 7 to 14, but appeals to more of a family demographic, Lipes said. “Parents will like this presentation as much as the kids.”
The Lodi Grape Festival and Harvest Fair runs from Sept. 16 through Sept. 19.
Contact reporter Michelle Miller at intern@lodinews.com.
