Kidstalkpolitics.Com Gives Our Children A Voice in Their Future
Producer/director Ken Sheets launches "Kids Talk Politics" - a unique documentary about children, eight to ten years old, who have only known one president during their lives, yet are given the opportunity to talk about the 2008 Presidential Elections.
Why? Because although kids might not have a vote, they do have an opinion on things and their voice ultimately counts. More often than not, we, as adults, tend to underestimate children's level of awareness, yet the truth of the matter is that kids have a much more developed sense of observation and ability to reason than we give them credit for.
"Kids Talk Politics" gives our little citizens a voice in their future and as well instills in them a certain sense of civic responsibility. Every time a presidential election rolls around, there's inevitably a spate of articles and arguments about how young people don't vote - how they are apathetic and know very little about politics. With his documentary, Ken Sheets is allowing children to get involved at an early age and develop an interest in politics - after all if they are able to route for a sports team or a pop star, they certainly have the ability to formulate an opinion about our politicians. This is probably the reason why Obama was recently on the cover of Teen Magazine, and why our political candidates made a special appearance at this year's Kids' Choice Award.
"Kids Talk Politics" is reversing the general consensus that children under the legal voting age don't have anything to say because they are not affecting the polls - but we fail to realize that they are the voice of tomorrow, albeit a silent one. And so, what better time than now, during a hotly contested presidential race in both major political camps to give educate our children on the ins and outs of politics and let them speak their minds.
Ken Sheetz, the instigator of Kids Talk Politics, originally started the concept eight years ago during the 2000 Presidential Elections. Together with Canadian producer Nicolette Saina, he co-produced a half hour show documenting what kids thought of America during the presidential campaign. The show aired on PBS Prime Time as the lead into the Gore-Bush presidential debate and was selected as a "recommended Viewing" by The New York Times TV critic.
For these elections, Sheetz is traveling across the US to collect interviews from kids of all walks of life (ie: backgrounds, genders, race religions, ethnicity, etc...).
Filming started this month in Hollywood, California and proceeds later to encompass New Orleans, Chicago, New York and Native American reservations.
Clips are uploaded daily on the official website at www.kidstalkpolitics.com, thus airing the latest interviews.
This is a documentary about kids, by kids but certainly not just for kids: it is platform to hear children's point of view on Politics - a chance to learn about how our children are evolving within our times; and as the voice of tomorrow, we also get to learn what they are thinking, how they are thinking and what they are hoping for.
Ken Sheets, president of Overactive Imagination Pictures, enjoyed a successful commercial real estate career before becoming a filmmaker. He was responsible for over $1 billion in commercial real estate transactions which include the development of a 38-story $162 million skyscraper as well as Oprah Winfrey's $28 million Harpo studios which earned him the Chicago Sun Times developer of the year award.
Sheetz is also known for his writing and directing award-winning short dubbed "Zack's Machine" featuring veteran actor Ed Asner as the voice of the father. Zack's Machine takes a poignant look at the events of September 11, 2001 from the perspective of a tiny puppy who finds itself alone after its master Zack goes missing. The short was an official selection in numerous festivals across the US including the prestigious Palm Springs International Short Film Festival.
Ken Sheetz is currently working on a slate of film and TV projects including the TV pilot "Discover Me" produced with Emmy Award nominee John Amodeo known for hit shows such as "Arrested Development" and "Samantha Who?."