Student Filmmaking Project
The student filmmaking project is an exciting opportunity for students to work together in a highly creative environment that plays to the strengths of each individual, creating a win-win for everyone involved.
Project Overview
Students begin with an overview of responsibilities and roles in filmmaking and learn to identify their interests and abilities and then match them with the skill set needed to produce a film. Some students like to be in front of the camera. Some would hate to be in front, but love to be behind operating it. Others like to edit, write the music, script, etc. Recognizing how our differences are strengths when we work together is a prime objective of this project.
Once they have the Big Picture, they create a strategy to break it down into manageable steps. This involves break out sessions and scriptwriting, developing the screenplay and creating storyboards. Camera operators and editors familiarize themselves with the equipment.
When filming begins, cast and crew work together to tell their story. Throughout the project the group reviews their progress and each student analyzes themselves and the role they played and how it contributed to the big picture.
This project is really fun. It plays to the strengths of each student, and provides a really positive environment to play your part, while encouraging others to do the same. It’s fun to have an ‘official screening’ at the end of the week and invite the whole school and family to celebrate the student’s talents and the creative risks they took together during the week.
Project objectives,
for each student to appreciate the value of their story (experiences/hopes/dreams)
to recognize the value of their own unique gifts, talents and abilities to share their story
to understand how our unique skill set allows us to work collaboratively to tell OUR story in a better way than any of us could on our own
For a recent multi media project in an elementary school, I asked two classes with 25 kids in each, to tell the story of their school. They brainstormed and came up with different elements that make up the life of their school. The mascot, band, breakfast program, recycling, etc.
They spent two days creating storyboards and shot lists for a lip dub video. Then they matched their individual skill sets, gifts and interests with the skills required to complete the project. They decided who would be actors, directors, camera operators, etc.
We had one 45 minute class each day over the week to produce these video. On the Friday afternoon at the end of the week, the school organized an assembly for all the students, and we had an official screening of the films the students made. This allowed the other students to see themselves on the screen, and for the whole school to celebrate their creativity.
Movie Trailers
I spent the following week in a middle school working with 4 different classes ranging from grade 7-9. I divided each class of 30 students into 5 separate film crews. Each group had to decide what type of film trailer they wanted to make. (horror, comedy, adventure, etc)
After deciding on the type of story, they worked out a storyboard and shot list. Then it was their turn to match their individual skill set with the skills needed to complete the project. One person may like to be in front of the camera, but the next person would hate it. But that person might like to operate the camera. Together they figured out who would write the script, who would direct and edit.
We didn’t have a lot of time. We spent the first two 45 minute classes (Mon & Tue) in pre production, getting the story, the script and shot list, and the following two days, (Wed & Thur) filming and editing. On Thursday night, we had a free community concert that featured the 8 trailers and a collection of slam poets I had also worked with through the week.
These projects develop media literacy and the fundamentals of storytelling and composition. They require students to identify their unique talents and abilities and then match those to the project. They learn to recognize how their strengths and weaknesses provide opportunities to work with others who are skilled differently.
One of the main strengths of this project is that we create an environment where every student can play to their strengths so that the entire group can have a ‘win’. It’s great for team building and setting a tone for creative exploration and development. I offer this workshop to teachers and adults in other professional settings as well.
Contact info@rikleaf.com or 250 896 2572 to book a residency in your school or community.
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