"We need filmmaking in our classrooms, not to graduate filmmakers, but to graduate problem -solvers, critical thinkers and passionate people who can work with others to make that which does not yet exist, real."
Nikos Theodosakis, The Director in the Classroom
Nikos Theodosakis, The Director in the Classroom
"The script is what you've dreamed up-this is what it should be. The film is what you end up with." George Lucas
"When you're making a movie, you can't think anybody will ever see it. You've just got to make a movie for the values it has. The greatest films were made because someone really wanted to make them. And, hopefully, the audience will show up, too." Clint Eastwood
"I've really only had one (dream) since I got into this business at 13 years old, which was to be in this business forever. Once I did my first television commercial, I caught that itch and that bug. I want to be a part of pieces of art – as far as cinema is concerned – that people will want to see for generations to come. That's my dream." Leonardo DiCaprio
"I look for a thematic idea running through my movies and I see that it's the outsider struggling for recognition. I realize that all my life I've been an outsider, and above all, being lonely but never realizing it." Martin Scorsese
"Pick up a camera. Shoot something. No matter how small, no matter how cheesy, no matter whether your friends and your sister star in it. Put your name on it as director. Now you're a director. Everything after that you're just negotiating your budget and your fee." James Cameron
"A hunch is creativity trying to tell you something." Frank Capra
Students as Filmmakers!
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Both students and teachers can utilize tools for filmmaking and videography to make 21st century learning come alive! I especially love this 7th-grade teacher's video introducing his students to an amazing new project - The Frankenstein Project!
The students and their parents were directed to go to YouTube on a particular time and date to watch this video. Then, the project was launched in the classroom the next day. This was not a low-level or silly project; rather, it was extremely high level in terms of content and the skills students developed in the process. |
After reading and analyzing two major novels, Frankenstein by Mary Shelley and The War of the Worlds by H. G. Wells, his students produced six films and they celebrated at the end of the project with an Oscars-style event, complete with red carpet, and flashing cameras! See his intro video above, then follow the links to the students' films.
See our Halloween curriculum resources which includes an introduction to Halloween as well as individual pages for Frankenstein, War of the Worlds, ghosts, witches, zombies (including Thrill the World - a global project), monsters, vampires and suggestions for curriculum connections, 21st century skills and connections to popular culture.
See our Halloween curriculum resources which includes an introduction to Halloween as well as individual pages for Frankenstein, War of the Worlds, ghosts, witches, zombies (including Thrill the World - a global project), monsters, vampires and suggestions for curriculum connections, 21st century skills and connections to popular culture.
Student Production - Film and Video
In addition to the possibilities for students producing feature-length films, there are many other options. All of them will be highly motivational for students. All of these options will provide students with opportunities to learn the required content knowledge at deeper levels, but will also be perfect for developing 21st century skills and the multiple literacies for the 21st century! There is no subject, course, topic, theme or project that cannot be learned or accomplished through film/video production! Options include:
Many schools now have their own radio and television studios. It is quite inexpensive, all you really need is a small room with a "green screen", a camera and a way to broadcast the program. You can broadcast via YouTube, Facebook or via a local television channel!
- Feature-length films
- Mini-documentaries - such as those shown on the History Channel, the Science Channel, the Biography Channel, the Discovery Channel.
- Mini-dramas or series
- Public Service Announcements
- Political Campaigns
- News Shows
- Entertainment Shows
- Guest Talk Shows - interview experts on various issues and topics in your community, and broadcast the shows live on television.
- How-To Shows - from study skills to building a skateboard, physical fitness and health, gardening, cooking . . .
Many schools now have their own radio and television studios. It is quite inexpensive, all you really need is a small room with a "green screen", a camera and a way to broadcast the program. You can broadcast via YouTube, Facebook or via a local television channel!
Celebrating Student Work
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Making student work public is a basic component of project-based learning. For example, students may enter their productions into one of many film festival contests, from local to national to global!
Making student work public meets the need for both authentic assessment as well as for celebration of a job well done! Many schools have their student films shown in local movie theaters. |
Some celebrate with Academy Awards type ceremonies - complete with Oscar-style awards, evening gowns and tuxedos, red carpet and "paparazzi" photographers!
Examples of Student Projects
Franklin High School students debut film at Franklin Theatre.
Springfield Schools Film Club
Middle School Students Produce Full-length Feature Film
Two Student-produced Feature Length Films to Screen at 7th Annual Frontera Film Festival
The Frankenstein Project - 7th graders produce six films! An introduction from their teacher, Rocco Russo, then links to each of the student films and the awards ceremony.
You get the idea! Just Google "high school students produce feature-length film"!
Springfield Schools Film Club
Middle School Students Produce Full-length Feature Film
Two Student-produced Feature Length Films to Screen at 7th Annual Frontera Film Festival
The Frankenstein Project - 7th graders produce six films! An introduction from their teacher, Rocco Russo, then links to each of the student films and the awards ceremony.
You get the idea! Just Google "high school students produce feature-length film"!
Resources
American Movie Awards - Category Definitions
Youth Filmmaking Programs - a PBS resource.
The Director in the Classroom - easily the best resource available for teachers and their students.
Local Resources in Your Community:
The Story of Movies - Created by The Film Foundation and Turner Classic Movies this excellent web site has lesson plans and a curriculum for analyzing several excellent movies: Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, The Day the Earth Stood Still and To Kill a Mockingbird. Additional excellent resources are on this site.
Film in the Classroom - a Guide for Teachers
Beyond Read the Book, Watch the Movie
Making Movie Storyboards
(this is an older lesson plan - used VCR - but can be adapted)
Charlie Chaplin - truly a pioneer in filmmaking, his movies remain relevant to this day. A filmmaker and social commentator, students have much to learn from studying Chaplin's films.
National Film Study Standards -
Youth Filmmaking Programs - a PBS resource.
The Director in the Classroom - easily the best resource available for teachers and their students.
Local Resources in Your Community:
- Universities - Contact nearby universities. Many of them have RTF departments (Radio/Television/Film). There is likely a professor and/or some graduate students who would be happy to lend a hand.
- Professionals - your city, or one that isn't too far from you, will probably have professional film and video production services. It is possible that one or more of these people would support your program in some way - from advice to technical support.
- Local Public Television Station - if your community has a local public television station, they often offer classes in television production, which include the use of all the necessary equipment. You may even get them to air your program.
- Parents and Community Members - you never know when a parent, friend or person in the community has a real interest and talent in filmmaking, photography and videography. Many would be thrilled to support your program in multiple ways.
The Story of Movies - Created by The Film Foundation and Turner Classic Movies this excellent web site has lesson plans and a curriculum for analyzing several excellent movies: Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, The Day the Earth Stood Still and To Kill a Mockingbird. Additional excellent resources are on this site.
Film in the Classroom - a Guide for Teachers
Beyond Read the Book, Watch the Movie
Making Movie Storyboards
(this is an older lesson plan - used VCR - but can be adapted)
Charlie Chaplin - truly a pioneer in filmmaking, his movies remain relevant to this day. A filmmaker and social commentator, students have much to learn from studying Chaplin's films.
National Film Study Standards -
