Chaplin and Keaton are as relevant as they ever were.
Here’s what happens when you show silent films that are nearly 100 years old to some 7-year-olds: they roll on the floor laughing
After 20 minutes or so of these, let them catch their breath, give them some toys to use as characters in their own stories with little or no input from grown-up-types
If they have any creative differences, give them a little extra time to work it out. The goal is to gently assist them with making their own silent movies that make sense to them. Perhaps, to them alone
Each production team of 3 or so make simple storyboards, title pages, austere backdrops, and then rehearse at least once in front of the camera before someone calls out “Camera Rolling…” and “ACTION!”
[click the image above to watch]
Conrad Praetzel made the music
some of the others are here