Zali and Poppy’s mum emailed me to tell me about the video that her girls had made this year. She thought that I might like it. Well. Do you know what? I really love the video the girls made. It’s a totally funny stop-motion claymation piece about the nice people they live with. You can watch it below (scroll down a bit!) : and you can see more behind the scenes ‘Making of My Funny Family’ photos here.
I thought it would be a really good idea to interview Zali and Poppy. And I thought it would be great to get them to take some photos of the things they make. Here is what they sent me. And here is what they told me.
The girls took these photos on Sunday. These are the kinds of things they are making. I really love these photos. They are cute and intricate and colourful. (I think the dolls at this house live pretty crafty lives too.)
Watch the film they made…
What I asked Poppy and Zali…
Have you ever been run over by anything? A shopping trolley, a bike, a car….?
Poppy: My dog once ran me over!!
Zali: No but I do get nervous when my mum makes me lay on a road (for a photo) and a car might come.
(* Editor :: They do check for cars. Do not worry. No one gets squished!)
What IS un-schooling?
Poppy: It is not having to go to school and not having to do school at home!
Zali: It is not home schooling. You don’t have to do work that you’re not interested in. You can follow your interests and then you will learn quicker.
What is it like being un-schooled?
Poppy: I like to wear whatever I want every day. You get to spend time with your family more and it is fun
Zali: It is like not having to wake up early in the morning, not having to sit in class room all day, I have experienced that!! It’s lots more fun then school.
What are your favourite things to do?
Poppy: Make things! – Dogs out of egg cartons, pizza, animations, make stuff out of boxes. Bollywood dance class, swimming, playing with my best friend Jess.
Zali: I like making dolls clothes, sitting with my dog Earnest, designing fashions, drawing, making things, reading, writing my blog or reading other blogs, swimming and capoira (Brazilian dance/martial arts) and playing with my friends!
 |
| Earnest |
I really liked the flowers in the video! What are your favourite kinds of flower? Has anyone ever given you flowers?
Poppy: Poppies!!! And roses and gerberas and lilies. Yes, my dad gave me flowers when I was sick and my mum has given me flowers before too.
Zali: I like tulips, violets and daisies. My dad has given me flowers for my birthday and when sick.
Have you ever seen knickers fall from the sky like they did in your film? (I haven’t! But I think it would be funny!)
Poppy: I have seen a baby’s Nappy!!!
Zali: Nope – but I have seen them on the ground!!! Ahhaahhhh!
Do you have any pets? (Imaginary pets are allowed, too.)
Poppy: I have a 3 fish and a dog!
Zali; I have a dog names Earnest who is a great Dane and is very big. He is very friendly and adorable. His ears do not know what they are doing! Also 3 fish and one of them is responsible for 5 deaths of other fish!! He is not even a fighting fish just a gold fish.
(*Editor :: Wow. That is some tough fish. Yikes!)
What sort of things do you like to make?
Poppy: I make dolls aprons and hammocks for dolls and you cut up boxes to make houses and decorate them.
Zali: Bunk beds, doll houses, doll clothing and pictures. Lots of things for my dolls. Stop motion videos and I take lots of photos of my dog! I also make little books.
If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?
Poppy: Italy, France, Spain and Canada and Fiji and England!! I love England!
Zali: I would go to Italy and Egypt, Fiji and New Zealand – I have been to NZ a few times. Also I would like to travel around Australia!
Do you think that you will keep making videos like this one?
Poppy: Definitely!
Zali: Yes we are making a sequel to my funny family called “My Funny Dog” I am directing this one!!
Was it fun to make? Or was it really hard?
Poppy: Fun!
Zali: It was both fun and hard. Making the clay people is lots of work but I do like doing it. It takes ages too!
Describe each other in three words (three words each… so six in total!)
Poppy on Zali: She is kind, creative and smart!
Zali on Poppy: Poppy is funny, dramatic and she likes to hug!
Name three people you would like to meet!
Poppy: Lauren Child and Florence (from Florence and the Machine) and Regina Spektor
Zali: I would like to meet Isobelle Carmody (a writer), the Irwin family and I also want to meet Lauren Child because I like her illustrations and stories.
Zali: I would like to meet Isobelle Carmody (a writer), the Irwin family and I also want to meet Lauren Child because I like her illustrations and stories.
Thank you so much Poppy, Zali and Hailey too! It was so great taking a peek in to your life and seeing all the great things you are doing and what you think about things! Yay for you!! And yay for dad Andrew too!
The End
that was so fantastic! Can you imagine the kinds of wonderful things these girls will be doing in 10 years time!!
My 6 year old son loved their video so much he watched it over and over again at least 10 times!
Can't wait for the sequal… go girls! ?
That was wonderful! I needed that smile on this dreary winter day.
Fantastic video and an amazing family!My dad hates flies too, you have to watch out when he has a fly swat in has hand as he'll whack them even if they land on you. Fortunately there are not too many around in Scotland at this time of year.