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First Navajo, English language puppet show to launch film project

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ALBUQUERQUE — It’s “Diné Naa’l kid Time!” and it’s the first-ever educational Navajo and English puppet television show created for an all-ages audience who want to learn the Navajo language. The title means Navajo Moving Pictures Time and will feature three characters Nanabah-a young girl, Gáh (Rabbit) and Dlǫ̀ǫ̀ (Prairie Dog) who will go on endless adventures learning about language, culture and the importance of family values.

Filming begins on Nov. 4, at 8:15 am at the University of New Mexico’s Communications & Journalism Studio, Rm. 116, located at 2101 Central Ave. in Albuquerque.

“We are planning to film a short 30-45 second video sample of the show which will be used to start a Go Fund Me page and help us create a series of 10-15 minute episodes and build more puppet characters,” stated Dr. Begay.

Begay (Diné) the project director recently graduated from the University of Nevada-Las Vegas with her doctorate thesis “Developing A Navajo Media Guide: A Community Perspective” extensively researched the concept of this project which is partially modeled after another popular children’s television show.  She is co-writing the show with producer Charmaine Jackson (Diné) and together they have developed the first three-puppet characters.
Jackson (Diné) graduated from the University of New Mexico with a BA in Broadcast Journalism and has worked in public relations and the film and television industry for the past 15 years.

Puppeteer Jason Barnes, (Diné/Pacific Islander) is also a multi-media artist and an expert at creating puppets for short films and other media projects. He will be graduating this fall with an MBA from the University of New Mexico’s Anderson School of Business Management.

The show was originated by a team of Navajo filmmakers, writers’ producers and artists under the direction of Dr. Begay. The film director is Shaandiin Tome, (Diné) of Mud Films LCC and recently graduated cum laude from the University of New Mexico with a BFA in Film and Digital Media Production.

DINE’ NAAL’KID TIME-FILMING LOCATIONS:

9:30 am to 10:30 am #2-Garden Scene: Farm and Table, 8917 4th Street NW 87114 (on 4th and Alameda)

11 am to 1 pm #3-Navajo Loom Scene: Hatch Property, 406 Aniceto Road NW (on Alameda and near 4th street)

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