Outraged parent says class was shown 'bootleg' copy of new 'Shrek' movie

[The Straight Story]

Outraged parent says class was shown 'bootleg' copy of new 'Shrek' movie
By MARCELA ROJAS
THE JOURNAL NEWS

(Original publication: June 21, 2007)

PEEKSKILL — Tim Trewhella, the parent of a fifth-grader at Hillcrest Elementary School, wasn't amused when his daughter came home giggling the other day, saying her teacher had "committed a crime."

On Tuesday, just three days short of summer vacation, Lovell Quiroz is said to have shown his class a screening of "Shrek the Third" as perhaps an end-of-the-school-year treat. But the popular digitally animated film is still in theaters and likely will not be released on DVD for months. It is illegal to acquire, distribute, copy or sell copyrighted materials without permission.

"I'm upset because first off, it's a bootleg video," Trewhella said. "I'm also upset in general because they spent a day watching a video with no redeeming educational value."

Calls to Quiroz and Hillcrest Principal Joseph Mosey were directed to the district's administration.

http://www.nyjournalnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070621/NEWS02/706210374

[Horse with no Name]

1. When I was in 5th grade

We used to get these big reels of films and got to have film day once a week.
We were supposed to watch "Man without a Country"...the teacher started the reel and went to run an errand in the Principal's office.
Unfortunately the film was switched and we were in the midst of watching the Clutter family in Kansas be murdered when the teacher came back in the room.
I don't remember any parents getting mad about that...

[orleans]

2. ah, setting a good example for the kids.

what an asshole.

[canetoad]

3. Life must be a bowl of cherries

living at the Trewhella house.

[KansDem]

25. No, they don't want their kid watching a cartoon during class time...

What's wrong with that?

[LWolf]

26. Nothing.

I will point out, though, that the last 3 days of school aren't exactly "academic." Why?

Well, you see, I have to have the grades done, the report cards done, including individual comments, the certificates done, many determined by those grades...all ready to hand out on the last day of school.

I like to get a good night's sleep. I'm not going to be grading the final assignments after school the day before the last day of school so that I can stay up all night working on report cards and certificates for the next day.

I have to cut off all graded assignments a few days before the last day of school. Still, because the way we fund public ed, including the payroll, is ada, we have to have kids in school while I'm doing all of that.

I can spend those last days on academic activities that don't go into the grade book. Of course I can. I have. I do spend some of it that way.

Do we get buy in for lessons at that point? No. Kids are geared up for summer break. They are expecting end of the year festivals, field days, and other celebratory events. Not only that, but they know that the quality of their attention and participation won't affect grades. The attempt is, at that point, an inefficient use of time and energy.

In my class, they will be playing board games. Board games that require math, spelling, vocabulary, and thinking. They will be reading and doing book talks for summer reading lists. Art. They will engage in academic competitions as well as "field day."

I did, though, show one movie the last week of school. It was for those people who needed an indoor break from field day. Students came and went randomly as needed, with no way to organize a structured activity. So I showed a movie they've all seen, and they sat and talked about the movie, and the book it was based on, as it played, until they were ready to go back out. "Holes." Shown during class time. Field Day goes on for 3 hours of class time.

Showing a bootlegged copy of a movie was, in addition to illegal, just plain foolish. I won't defend it. Showing a movie? Why not? If you must supervise 30+ children when the grading deadlines are done, why not use film? Film can be a teaching tool, too.

[KansDem]

28. Agreed...

,,,why not use film? Film can be a teaching tool, too.

Then use film that teaches, not another product of Hollywood's 'Greatest Blockbuster since Last Time' Industry. Sure, show films that teach. There are plenty of them out there. Just don't pull some product from the New Release video-rental shelf.

Frankly, I've got a problem with movies that are released the same day as action figures at fast-food places, licensed images on clothing at major retail outlets, and all the rest of those products of the predatory-marketing industry designed to separate a child from his/her money.

[LWolf]

38. I do.

The films I showed this year?

Part of a public television series about ancient greece, and "Holes." The movie version of a Newberry award-winning book. Literature.

Two in a school year is not a waste of student time, imo.

Reading isn't all about saying the words on the page. It's about knowing how to understand them. About accessing meaning, about thinking about what you read.

Those comprehension and thinking skills are taught through conversation. It doesn't matter if the conversation is about the film or the book.

I don't use film too often, because I don't want to reduce the amount of time students must spend reading, rather than watching. It can be effective, though, to spend time discussing literature presented in the format they are most familiar with.

For those who subscribe to the cult of "students must have extrinsic rewards to perform," (I'm not one of them), films can be the "reward." I see them used that way sometimes.

I also see them used as "sub plans." When a teacher has to be gone from the classroom, it's not always best to leave an actual lesson teaching something vital. There's no way to know if it will be executed effectively, or if the teacher will have to spend more time "un-doing," and "re-doing" upon his/her return. It's usually more time-efficient, and less troublesome for learners, to leave something that doesn't require much from the sub.

My last sub allowed my students into my desk, and into the "teacher shelves" behind my desk. They spent their time, not on the lessons I left, but destroying 3 pencil sharpeners, playing with the remote control of my CD player (used for books on tape), listening to the radio, and talking. Their assignments were not complete; they told me that the sub "Didn't understand them," so "said we didn't have to do them." It was pretty basic stuff.

Thankfully, I'm rarely out of the room. I haven't taken a sick day in the last decade, and I'm only gone when attending mandatory district level meetings. Leaving a film with a study guide and requiring notes and/or a follow-up worksheet or essay is a good plan.

I haven't seen "Shrek 3." I didn't even see "Shrek 2." I think I could have made productive use of "Shrek 1" in the classroom, though. As I recall, it referenced many fairytale/legend/myth characters and events that could have been researched, compared/contrasted, etc..

Really, it's not about the film, it's about the responsible use of film. This example of a bootlegged copy of "Shrek 3" was not responsible. To say the least, lol.

[Squigglenob]

4. "And lastly, I'm upset because his name sounds illegal-like." n/t

[newyawker99]

13. Hi Squigglenob!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[TreasonousBastard]

5. It seems the "outraged" parent is not so outraged about...

the bootlegged DVD, but about kids being shown movies at all. And even moreso about "useless" films like the Shrek series.

Well, fuck him.

[Matsubara]

6. As a parent, I really don't send my kids to school to watch silly movies.

The fact that it was bootlegged is a problem between the teacher and Dreamworks. But as a parent, I'd much rather class time be spent on LEARNING.

When did it become a normal thing to show kids full-length movies instead of giving them some sort of lesson or educational activity?

[canetoad]

7. The Matsubara household

sounds like a barrel of laughs too.

[Matsubara]

8. My kids have a lot of fun.

They have a lot more freedom to play, do and go where they like than most American kids, whose every minute is scheduled, who are chauffered about everywhere and whose parents shelter them from everything. They've seen the Shrek movies, and a whole lot of other silly fare. They have turned my bedroom into a "haunted hospital" They have a freaking blast.


But they go to school to learn. And I'm glad that the Japanese schools do better than to just park them in front of a video of mass-market entertainment.

Because they are in Japanese school, I have to set aside 6-8 hours a week to tutor them to keep up their English ability, they also attend a weekend study and play session with other natie English-speking kids in town.

How sad that you would think that putting kids' time to good use is some sort of punishment.

[canetoad]

10. So what do you want?

A medal or a chest to pin it on?

[Matsubara]

11. Thank you for your input.

You've made it clear that you have no stake in raising a child and no comprehension of what that entails.

So sue me for giving a damn about my kids' education.

[canetoad]

12. You are welcome. Yes, no and no

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

16. LOL

Why won't somebody think of the children?!

:rofl:

[Missy Vixen]

19. We're smart enough to pay for it, though!

>You've made it clear that you have no stake in raising a child and no comprehension of what that entails.<

It's the end of the school year. Since teachers have to turn grades in at this time, the last few days of school is not an educational banquet.

It happened when I was a kid; I'm sure the same thing's going on today. Is it right? Who knows. Are those kids going to be permanently damaged because they watched a ninety-minute film? Probably not.

Julie

[Matsubara]

23. When I was a kid, there wasn't heavy studying on the last day...

There were, however a lot of games and fun activities - not vegging out in front of a TV.

I may be dating myself, but when I was in school there were 16 mm films and filmstrips, oh, and the overhead projector - no VCRs yet.




(PS - I wasn't aware that it was the last day at first.)

[Beaverhausen]

15. How old are you? 12?

Such mature and insightful posts! :eyes:

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

14. As a parent and former teacher and elementary school student...

I'm not to old to remember that the last day of school was often filled with fun and games instead of academics.

[Beaverhausen]

17. Did you show bootlegged films? Did the kids go home and say 'the teacher committed a crime?"

There is a crime here. Why is everyone ignoring it?

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

18. Do you want to talk about bootlegging now?

Are we off of that dumb "children's movies shouldn't be shown in elementary school, we should be more like Japanese cram schools" tangent?

OK, good.

Bootlegging a movie is like xeroxing a Farside cartoon and taping it to your office door.

[Matsubara]

21. I don't send my kids to "cram school"

They go to a regular elementary school and have a healthy balance of study and play. I wouldn't send them to cram school after school, because all of the supplemental work they do to stay fluent in English is enough, IMO.

The movie piracy thing is not such a big deal to me (although it is presumptuous to tell the kids you've pirated something, when you are probably contradicting what a lot of parents may be trying to teach their kids).

I wasn't aware that it was the last day of school. We had fun activities on the last day too - God knows kids are in no mindset for study on the last day.

Summer vacation doesn't start until July here.

[Beaverhausen]

30. Nice interpretation of copyright law

[Missy Vixen]

22. I'm not thrilled with the bootlegging aspect

It's too bad the teacher couldn't have found another suitable film.

Julie

[HughBeaumont]

9. Uh . . .

:wtf: :wow:

Kids need to spend EVERY SINGLE HOUR LEARNING! One day sitting watching a Shrek movie is one precious valuable day our children have LOST trying to keep up with the Scandanavian and Asian kids that beat the pants off of us in EVERYTHING. HOW are they supposed to gain a competitive edge in college and then the workplace? Their whole LIVES can get thrown off balance! Bad enough we have summer vacation and recess; there should be MORE homework and LESS time being a kid and these kids should simply learn to DEAL with it! Best to prepare them now for cube drudgery than sugarcoat things with a damned bootlegged movie.

:eyes: :eyes: :eyes: :eyes: :eyes: and in case that wasn't clear . . . . :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm:

Methinks there are WAY more important things to worry aboot in life.

[RiverStone]

20. Showing a movie's cool - though not a bootleg version

Showing a movie during the final few days of school is no big deal --- kids, teachers, administrators, cooks, bus drivers --- all are pretty ready to lighten up. Game days, movies, fun field trips, all mark the transition into summer. This expected end of the year rituals builds bonds among kids.

However, showing a bootleg version - in particular if the teacher pointed out that it was illegal - was not only bad role modeling, but copyright infringement. Great the kids are taking time to chill - not great they did it watching a movie the teacher acquired illegally.

[Matsubara]

24. I personally am not against filesharing, etc.

But a teacher should be respectful of parents' right to raise their kids with certain values. Telling your kids you bootlegged a movie is bound to be contradicting what a lot of parents have been trying to instill in their kids.

Just as I would be pissed if a teacher made my kid read Bible passages in class, I can see how other parents would be pissed if their kids came home saying "teacher said it was okay to steal movies!".

[Nikki Stone1]

27. IT WAS THE LAST THREE DAYS OF SCHOOL!

(OK, done shouting). Seriously, though. LWolf said pretty much the same thing and I can back her up. Grades have to be done before the last day of school, so you can't give graded assignments. And teaching anything new in the last three days? Forget it. The kids are antsy, the teachers are tired and, if they're like me, they're usually cleaning up the classroom for the next (year round) teacher using the place and taking care of administrative odds and ends. We try to give activities that we think the kids will like, but, quite frankly, no one wants to be there. I don't blame anyone showing a movie those last three days.

Now as to the pirated movie, that is unethical. At my school, all films had to be cleared before we could show them. If we even tried to show a pirated movie, that would be as good as tearing up our credential.

[taught_me_patience]

29. Showing bootleg movies to kids

in a classroom is disgustingly unethical. It gives the impression to kids that bootlegging is ok.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

31. If they were selling tickets, maybe unethical would apply.

"disgustingly unethical" is hyperbole.

If anybody's being a bad role model, it'd be the parent.

[Beaverhausen]

32. No, get it straight. Showing bootlegged films is ILLEGAL

Jesus, what part of that don't you understand?

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

33. Yeah, and faux outrage is stupid.

What part of that don't you understand?

[Beaverhausen]

34. Faux outrage? I work in the film industry.

and no, I'm not a millionaire, so don't start with that crap.

This teacher is teaching kids that it's OK to steal.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

36. Oh baloney.

I'd be more worried the kids are learning it's OK to charge seven bucks for a shitty movie.

[theHandpuppet]

40. I'm with you

For what it's worth. Obviously to some around here stealing is nothing more than a joke and that's what bootlegging is -- STEALING. THEFT. And a crime.

Also for what's it's worth, I'd rather that seven bucks for a "shitty movie" go to the workers who actually made the film, not some overseas bootlegger.

[BlooInBloo]

35. Stupid teacher. Don't give them an *excuse*.

[RedCappedBandit]

37. THe last three days of school?

gimme a friggin break, what young student actually cares about learning anything during the last three days of school?


Ya kno, recess has no inherent educational value either, we should get rid of it. Or did they already do that? I have no idea.

[theHandpuppet]

41. Well I guess they learned something

They learned how to steal.

[RedCappedBandit]

42. Well, thats what the movie industry does to everyone else

when they charge 10 dollars for a one shot ticket to some crap film.

[theHandpuppet]

44. Rationalization, my friend

They're not holding a gun to your head, forcing you into the theatre.

With your kind of rationalization I should be stealing everything in sight -- after all, we could certainly say we are getting robbed by banks, car dealerships, doctors, grocery stores, retailers, etc. Maybe I should just help myself to anything and everything and tell the judge it was their fault anyway for not offering me better choices in how to frivolously spend my extra money.

In this case, you have a choice. Either pay 10 bucks to watch what you believe is a shitty movie, steal a shitty movie and waste two hours of your time, or simply say no thanks.

[RedCappedBandit]

47. I wasn't rationalizing or condoning anything.

My post was meant to be slightly humorous in nature. Don't get too upset about it.

[Beaverhausen]

45. So, if the movie is 'crap' it's OK to steal it and watch it?

Who is making you pay to see something you think is crap?

I cannot for the life of me understand this logic.

If you don't want to see a movie, don't see it. Simple.


edit- had to change "shitty" to "crap" since I was answering yet a different poster who thinks it's OK to steal movies cause they don't like them.

[RedCappedBandit]

46. Communication over the internet can be complicated.

What I said was rather tongue in cheek.

[Beaverhausen]

49. and I had intended to answer another poster who said what you did

but that one was serious.

anyhow, this does hit me close to home, so I get extra defensive.

[RedCappedBandit]

50. My apologies if i offended you

.. in reality, I am the last person who would pirate such forms of media.. i love artists and writers and their work.. and I am more than willing to pay for something which I will enjoy.

[Dora]

43. Schools are slowly eliminating recess. It cuts into testing. n/t

[RedCappedBandit]

48. And here I thought the proposition was absurd.

Sigh.

[dropkickpa]

39. Heh

I read all the "I don't want my kids doing non-educational stuff in school" comments and just laugh and laugh and laugh. Due to NCLB and the testing done in May, the month of June is a wash educationally in my large district. Dropkid went and saw Shrek 3 at the theater as a class trip on the last day of school. Picnic on the 2nd to last day. Performance and party on the 4th to last day. Diabetes walkathon and picnic on the 5th to last day. Shit, June was pretty much all field trips and "non-educational" activities and I don't mind one freaking bit. She was in Kindergarten and had 2-5 pages of homework 4 nights a week. Let them have a little bit of fun!