On the Journey Step Ten: Movie Making
On the Journey Step Ten: Movie Making
What is Movie Making?
Filmmaking is a process of creating art with a message to the viewer. Since the film is a product of the film maker's vision, the entire project requires the use of research, analysis, and critical thinking skills. The steps of movie making involve forming an idea, writing a script, developing a storyboard, casting, determining locations, filming, and post-production (NYFA, n.d.). In the classroom, the teacher becomes the facilitator for students to work in groups to initiate the movie making process through brainstorming and eventually assigning student roles for the project (Huerta, 2014). As a result of the project, the film which is produced is a vehicle which expresses the collaborative efforts of the class to develop, produce, and distribute their work.
The Benefits of Movie Making in the Classroom
There are multiple benefits for using Movie Making in the classroom daily. One advantage is that it provides an avenue for students to learn the ethical use of the internet (Dealer, 2010). Film making instruction provides an explicit way for educators to address the International Society for Technology in Education Standards for teaching students how to use technology. A second advantage is that students are able to develop critical thinking skills which will prepare them for the future. As students are using technology as their primary information source, they should know how to use and evaluate the content (Dealer, 2010). A third benefit is that the use of movie making allows students to access content and express their learning using various formats. This value supports the Universal Design for Learning framework. The students who engage in film making may find a passion for digital storytelling and working with others (Huerta, 2014). A fourth advantage is that students are empowered to connect with others through the use of technology (Dealer, 2010). The use of technology with filmmaking gives students a voice which can be shared with others outside of the classroom. A fifth advantage is that research supports the use of movie making to allow students to become producers and owners of new information which is expressed through a film (Dealer, 2010). A sixth benefit is that filmmaking is engaging to students. The students begin to value collaboration, and the learning process with using film making. Also, film making has the ability to reach all diverse learners who can use the arts to express their learning while collaborating with others (Heurta, 2014).
Movie Making Projects in the Classroom
The All American High School Film Festival is a yearly event which allows high school students to showcase their work, meet other filmmakers, and compete for scholarships (Pannoni, 2017). The opportunity to participate in the festival may be one way high school students can be motivated to use digital storytelling as a way to express themselves. Since filmmaking requires a team, the collaborative effort involved allows students to work together while even filming with a smartphone. One idea for filmmaking is a poem project which allows students to develop their literature ideas through filmmaking. Also, a study of filmmaking can use student-created documentaries to help students think critically about relevant topics.
The use of movie making does require that the educator have a knowledge of video production in order to give students multiple options to express their ideas. Students need to be able to script their ideas, create and edit the video, and share their work (Kids’Vid, n.d.). Some other easy options for movie making which can be used are stop motion animation and the use of a green screen (MissTechQueen, n.d.). Stop motion animation may be created with objects or paper while a green background allows background objects to be added later. Teachers may use an iPad, green felt and editing software to produce the movie. Some ideas for using movies are to animate a story, create a music video, or to take a trip around the world.
Movie Making Resources
Animoto is a free website which can be used for making classroom movies and stop motion videos.
ClassTechTips is a website which has an article about creating movies with students. There are free planning pages for movie making and a podcast link.
Kids’Vid is an interactive website that gives student-friendly directions for producing movies. The website shows students scriptwriting, production tips, editing tips, and distribution information.
MissTechQueen is a website which has an article about movie making in the classroom.
Open Thinking is a blog which gives ideas for classroom video projects.
DitchthatTextbook is a website which has an article about video project ideas for students.
The link to my podcast about Movie Making is here.
References:
Dealer, G. (2010, October 29). A case for filmmaking in the classroom. The Current. https://thecurrent.educatorinnovator.org/resource/a-case-for-filmmaking-in-the-classroom
Huerta, M. (2014, February 24). Through the lens of filmmaking. Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/blog/through-the-lens-of-filmmaking-merle-huerta
Kids’Vid. (n.d.). Video production. http://kidsvid.4teachers.org/
ISTE. (n.d.). ISTE standards: Students. ISTE. https://www.iste.org/standards/iste-standards-for-students
Miss Tech Queen. (n.d.). How to integrate movie making into the classroom. https://misstechqueen.com/2020/10/23/how-to-integrate-movie-making-in-the-digital-classroom/
NYFA. (n.d.). The Filmmaking process for beginners. New York Film Academy. https://www.nyfa.edu/student-resources/the-beginners-guide-to-the-filmmaking-process/
Pannoni, A. (2017, October 23). Reel teens into the classroom with filmmaking. U.S. News. https://www.usnews.com/high-schools/blogs/high-school-notes/articles/2017-10-23/3-reasons-to-reel-teens-into-the-classroom-with-filmmaking
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