ANAHEIM : Kids Vie on Screen With Costner, Culkin

Moviegoers at Cinemapolis this summer can catch the film debut of 22 children from Sierra Vista Elementary School in Placentia along with the previews for the season’s blockbuster movies.

The children will be featured in a 45-second segment produced by the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District with the help of Disneyland’s Arts Partnership Program.

The second- and third-graders are depicted turning off lights, a television and water faucets while singing a rap-style song called “Turn it Off.”

“We wanted to do a public service announcement with an environmental message,” said district spokeswoman Karen Bass. “Sierra Vista had put on a play about the environment for their parents so we used that as the basis for the trailer.”

The action was taped last month in the school’s multipurpose room. It took about six hours, Bass said. Many pupils were excited about the taping, and by the time it was over they had learned about many aspects of the film business. “It was a wonderful experience for the kids,” said Bass, who organized the taping. “By the end of the day they didn’t think it was such a glamorous job (to be an actor), and some of them ended up being more interested in the cameramen’s job and other behind-the-scenes aspects of filming.”

Cinemapolis agreed to show the film clip if it was professionally produced. Bass asked Jill Bolton, manager of Disneyland education programs, if the park’s experts could help.

“We took the 90-minute video of the (Sierra Vista) program and picked out one song that was the most lively,” Bolton said. “We used the same students and the same backdrop, but the rest of it was scripted and staged by our production manager.”

Bolton said the joint effort is the first film production for the Arts Partnership since it was formed in October. The program was created to supplement visual and performing arts curriculums in schools. It includes grants to teachers and art lessons created by Disneyland artists.

“Turn it Off” will be screened in all 13 theaters at Cinemapolis as well as in the lobby. Cinemapolis is at 5635 E. La Palma.