This month, audiences can screen Great White Sharks on the Planet Classroom Network. This film was curated for the Planet Classroom Network by KIDS FIRST! Film Festival.
Directed by 10 year old filmmaker/narrator Lukan Duskin, Great White Sharks is an extremely well-made, LEGO-animated stop motion short that sheds light on the lives of the great whites. Duskin documents the lives of sharks from birth to death as we learn the importance of their role in the ocean’s ecosystem. I guarantee this fact-packed look at sharks will move you and change your perception of these intelligent and often misunderstood fish.
The Global Search for Education is pleased to welcome Lukan Duskin and his Assistant Director (and Mom), Darling Duskin.
Lakan, this film was very well done. What made you decide to focus on Great White Sharks, and why did you decide to use LEGO in your creative presentation of the story?
I’ve always loved Great Whites. They are fascinating creatures and unfortunately, misunderstood and endangered. That is why I chose to do my 4th grade project about them. Legos are fun! It’s easy and satisfying for me to build things using bricks.
Have sharks always been your favorite animals?
Yes, since I was 2 years old. I love sharks and dinosaurs.
Darling, what was it like assisting your child on the production? Was it entirely his idea or did you collaborate?
Lakan and I enjoy working on projects together. We are both Lego fans as well. This one is definitely Lakan’s passion project, from idea to execution, it’s all him. He also wrote his script and did all the sound effects himself. My job was to find the Lego pieces he needed, hold the props in place while he shot his film, and provide snacks.
Lakan, what do you hope your audience will learn from your story?
Great Whites are usually feared. Hopefully, after watching my film, people will realize that Sharks are really cool, important creatures that we need to protect.
Lakan, do you intend to create more videos like these covering other important topics, and if so, what are the causes and themes that interest you most?
Right now I am looking forward to summer break but I’m sure I will do a project like this again. I don’t know what it will be about yet.
Thank you Lakan and Darling!
C.M. Rubin with Lakan Duskan and Darling Duskin
Don’t Miss Great White Sharks, now screening on the Planet Classroom Network. This film was curated for the Planet Classroom Network by KIDS FIRST! Film Festival.
Related posts:
The Global Search for Education: Director Hasan Najmabadi on Aparat and His Lifelong Love of Movies
The Global Search for Education: Nine Year Old Director Maxwell Andrews on the Power of Words
The Global Search for Education: Bringing Shadow Puppetry to Life – An Interview with Director Daud Nugraha
The Global Search for Education: Exploring Parenthood: An Insightful Conversation with Director Alan Chriest
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