Much thanks to all my friends who joined us last night for the Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood Reception in NYC.
Lesli Rotenberg (PBS Kids), who moderated the event, and my co-panelists, Kevin Morrison (Fred Rogers Company) and Linda Simensky (PBS Kids) all did an outstanding job!
Children’s Media Association and PBS Kids hosted an incredible night which filled the 23rd street theater. The evening couldn’t have ended any better then when a four year old audience member was handed a mic & said,”Thank you. And I LOOOOVE Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood!”
If you didn’t get a chance to ask your question last night, comment away
I have a question! (I know—surprise, surprise.) ๐
This is a (for lack of a better word) “flaw” question that I have–if it’s too negative, please feel free to take it out of this celabratory post.) ๐
Can I ask what was behind your decision to remove the adult Lady Elaine’s…. fiestiness?
Let me explain:
With most of the adult residents of the Neighborhood, you’ve hit the nail on the head. ๐ King Friday, Queen Sara, Daniel…. list goes on, But then (IMO) there’s Lady Elaine.
In the origonal show, Lady Elaine was always the one who got in King Friday’s face about evreything. She had spunk. She wasn’t afraid to say something was wrong in the neighborhood.
Now, all that seems to be gone.
I understand she’s a parent now, so a little mellowing I’m okay with (and expect) But ALL of her edge? I dunno–it leaves me slightly dissapointed.
The show is still wonderful though! Congrats on such a sucessful get-together, BTW–wish I could’ve gone! ๐
I wanted to hear more about the Art Direction & Design of the show!
I especially like that, even using digital animation, there’s still a human warmth to the art!
Thank you for a wonderful evening!
I know I wasn’t the only one teary-eyed there!
I wrote this report for my friends & fans:
Last night was the screening of Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, followed by a panel discussion with the producer & creator from The Fred Rogers Company, and two of the honchos from PBS KIDS! The event was sponsored by Children’s Media Association.
I’d had some apprehension about the Daniel Tiger project. I don’t think that Dr.Seuss’s legacy has been handled with dignity, and I was afraid that Fred McFeely Rogers “Mr. Rogers” vision was gonna be plundered for profit as well.
But I needn’t have worried! Daniel Tiger has the same warmth & charm of the original Mr Rogers Neighborhood, plus its own flavor! So much care, respect and genuine LOVE has gone into the program, and it comes through! The show teaches social skills, something so valuable, so fundamental… but is so rarely articulated. We learn “strategies” (similar to the affirmations in intenSati), that we can call on in times of trouble. One I’ve been using a lot lately is:
“When we DO
Something NEW
Let’s TALK about
What WE’LL do”
as a way to build my confidence when I go into new & challenging situations.
And its such a positive way to frame facing fears, as “doing something new”!
It was a pivotal night for me.
I’ve always known that my Art is meant for Helping & Healing, not for selling more crap that The World doesn’t need. But I didn’t know how to go about it, how to Apply my Art. That’s kept me chasing my tail, scattered, smothered & covered. But now it is clear to me.
I want to work for the Fred Rogers Company on DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD.
& I’m GOING to do it.
I don’t know how, but becoming more involved with Children’s Media Association, like my friends Lisa Adams & Jaimie Kelton, seems to be the clearest path.
In this world of so many negative messages, where kindness & empathy are considered weaknesses, & cruelty a strength, we NEED programs like Daniel Tiger, something that goes out into the world & says, “You are able to Love and Be Loved… Yes, YOU!”
I want to be a part of that.
โกโคโก
Thanks for coming to the CMA & PBS Kids event Norn. And a great review, I must say!
We’re actually working on a post that discusses the art direction & design for Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood as we speak. Check back & let us know what you think!
..and yes, I was teary too ๐