When Cooks Children’s Hospital in Fort Worth approached the Lone Star Film Society two years ago, they wanted to create a filmmaking program as part of the hospital’s artists-in-residence program. The film society knew just who to turn to. They immediately contacted KD Conservatory instructor Shawn Griffith about participating in the program, in which artists work with the hospital’s young patients, many of them terminally ill.
After Shawn Griffith’s initial meeting with Cooks Children’s Hospital, it was apparent that the pairing was a perfect fit. Shawn became certified, and got straight to work in making films with the children. Before long, Cooks approached KD Conservatory with the request of advising the hospital on designing and overseeing the construction of a state-of-the-art video studio in a new $400 million wing they had begun constructing, which was to include the “Child Life Zone”. KD Conservatory was more than willing to accept the challenge.
The Child Life Zone, scheduled to open in June 2012, offers patients at Cooks Children’s Hospital an area where they can escape the hospital life and simply have fun being kids. The zone offers standard entertainment, such as arcade games and a pool table, but it also gives them the chance to experience a new side of entertainment: the role of the creator. The zone includes a professional recording and television studio, where the patients can make compose and record their own music, make their own music video to go along with their song, and even create their own TV shows, all with professionals like Shawn Griffith there to help them every step of the way.
The studio in the Child Life Zone was made possible through the support of the entire community, including $1.1 million in donations. KD Conservatory is proud to have played a part in helping to create the Child Life Zone, giving the young patients at Cooks Children’s Hospital a chance to learn, create, and have fun in a professional studio environment.
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Cooks Children’s is a nationally recognized not-for-profit pediatric care organization based in Ft. Worth, TX.
KD Conservatory has acting, musical theatre, and film production programs to help prepare students for careers in the entertainment industry. Contact us with any of your questions, or check us out on Facebook for ongoing updates and information!
