Let's Get Real

Opens up dialogue about name-calling, bullying and bias among middle school aged students—told entirely from a youth perspective.

Debra Chasnoff

Helen Cohen

2004

35 mins

Name-calling and bullying have reached epidemic proportions in schools today. Let's Get Realgives young people the chance to speak up in their own words about the real issues behind the problem.

Let's Get Real is simple, honest and oh so effective... This can't-miss discussion starter is highly recommended for both school and public libraries.

American Library Association

Synopsis

With amazing courage and candor, students discuss racial differences, perceived sexual orientation, disabilities, religious differences, sexual harassment and more. From the youth who are targeted, to the students who pick on them, to those who find the courage to intervene, Let's Get Real examines bullying from the full range of perspectives. This poignant film educates audiences of all ages about why we can no longer accept name-calling and bullying as just a normal rite of passage. Let's Get Real is now widely used to jumpstart violence prevention and multicultural educational programs throughout the United States, and all over the world. It's also a must-see for any adults who work with young adolescents.

Reviews

I have used Let's Get Real for years in my graduate class for aspiring school and career counselors. I actually wore one out and purchased another! While I have been on numerous task forces on developing anti-bullying policies in schools and school districts, the focus is almost exclusively on adult behaviors. These important efforts are a good start, but none have the impact of Let's Get Real.

Guy Alba

Adjunct Professor, Providence College—School of Professional Studies

Anyone who has recently been inside a middle school will likely recognize his or her own school in this dead-on discussion of bullying and name-calling. ...excellent, timely.

David Bilmes

School Library Journal

Riveting...[the student voices] are impossible to ignore.

Joan Ryan

San Francisco Chronicle

Our adults are learning as much as our kids from your films! This terrific film works for all age groups!

Amy Cheney

Librarian/Advocate, Alameda County Juvenile Justice Center

Let's Get Real should be required viewing for anyone interested in providing safe schools for young people.

Jerry Newberry

M.Ed., Executive Director, National Education Association, Health Information Network

Let's Get Real has been a very effective part of our district-wide initiative for all schools - elementary through high school - designed to prevent discrimination and protect student safety.

Dr. Rob Kessler

Superintendent of San Ramon Valley Unified School District

Let's Get Real is by far the best video I have ever seen about bullying. The articulate voices of the young people, the imaginative visuals, and the clear organization combine to make a teaching tool of great impact and vision.

Stan Davis

Bullying-Prevention Consultant, StopBullyingNow.com

...a remarkably candid documentary about sexual harassment, name-calling, and bullying that features no re-enactments or adults, just a wide variety of sound bites and interviews with real middle, junior, and high school students.

Video Librarian

Let's Get Real is an extremely well-made video...It goes beyond similar efforts, because it talks to youths who bully, drawing out their explanations and what it would take to make them stop.

Youth Today

The Newspaper on Youth Work

Let's Get Real is a moving and powerful film that shows why we must not accept bullying as a rite of passage for our youth. The film is an indispensable training resource for educators and concerned adults who want to stop the cycle of violence both inside and outside the classroom.

Ellen Hofheimer Bettmann

Director of Training and Resources, Anti-Defamation League

Let's Get Real is unlike any other film I've seen on bullying. It presents an unflinching look at what has become an epidemic in our schools. These kids break your heart with their courage and honesty.

Dr. Irvin Howard Past President

California League of Middle Schools

Let's Get Real is another powerful example of the value of kids teaching kids. The video and guide take the subject of bullying by the throat and gives it a good, hard shake. The comprehensive curriculum guide is usable and insightful.

Parents' Choice Foundation

Bullying is most typically discussed in terms of physical violence, but the mental and emotional consequences can be far more pervasive and just as damaging. Let's Get Real lets students know they are not alone, no matter if they are the victim, perpetrator or bystander. I highly recommend this timely and important film.

Michael Faenza

MSSW, President and CEO, National Mental Health Association

Let me cut to the chase... Let's Get Real is a must-see film for not only the middle school kids in your life, but for everyone who is working with youth in and out of the classroom.

Erica Marcus

San Francisco Bay Times

I have viewed Let's Get Real, and I really like it a lot. We are using it with our staff, students and parents as part of our bullying-prevention program at our school. This is an excellent resource.

Jill Boyd

Teacher, John Bullen Middle School, Kenosha, Wisconsin

I saw a sharp decrease in disciplinary referrals when we started using Let's Get Real.

Josh Thayer

Guidance Counselor, Spokane, Washington Public Schools

I showed Let's Get Real to my students, many of whom do not want to have these conversations and have a hard time sitting still. They were riveted. The discussion afterward was profound.

Kim Carter

Director, Monadnock Community Connections School, Keene, New Hampshire

What a great video! The kids loved it! They said they were finally given something on this topic that was real instead of scenarios.

Susan Sarabasha

Teacher, Boynton Middle School, Ithaca, New York

Keep making these wonderful films. I believe Let's Get Real will spark many interesting conversations about bullying with our students.

Joan Martin

Director, Crossroads School for Arts and Sciences, Santa Monica, California

Thank you so much for highlighting the problem [of name-calling and bullying]. Maybe if we are more proactive, we can keep things like Columbine from happening again.

Anne Cawood

Parent, San Leandro, California

Awards and Screenings

Columbine Award, Best Short Documentary, Moondance International Film Festival

Best Documentary, Danville International Children's Film Festival

Notable Children's Video, American Library Association

Parents' Choice Foundation Silver Medal

Honor Award, Skipping Stones Film Festival

Certificate of Merit, Rochester International Film Festival

Finalist, Best Short Documentary, International Family Film Festival

Features and Languages

Film Features

Closed Captioning
Director's Commentary
DVD Extras
Resources for Educators

Subtitle/Caption Languages

Spanish/español

Promotional Material

Promotional Stills

Debra Chasnoff

Debra Chasnoff, (10/12/57-11/7/17) was an Academy Award-winning documentary filmmaker whose work fueled progressive social-change movements. She was president and senior producer at GroundSpark, a national social justice media, advocacy, and education organization. The Debra Chasnoff / GroundSpark Legacy Initiative at Citizen Film continues to distribute Debra’s films and works to fulfill her mission.

View Profile

Helen Cohen

Helen S. Cohen is an award-winning filmmaker and working artist based in the San Francisco Bay Area. She brings to documentary filmmaking a long and eclectic history of activism and professional work with cultural, educational and community development organizations. She holds a bachelor's degree from Hampshire College and a master's degree in urban planning from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Contact Filmmaker View Profile