Film Workshop
I have had many opportunities to teach film. While teaching English in New Zealand we had a film unit and students had to produce a film as their final assessment.During my time as a Drama teacher I was able to incorporate film in to many of our units, including Yr. 8 Silent movies, Yr. 9 Documentaries and a Yr. 11 Theater skills unit.
Regardless of the year level or theme, there are certain basics that always need to be covered to allow the students to achieve success:
1. Screen plays - Basics of story telling (rise and fall action)
2. Story boarding
3. Shots and composition - understanding how shots should be taken and put together through analysis and practice
4. Basic use of equipment
5. Acting for cinema
6. Editing
Regardless of the year level or theme, there are certain basics that always need to be covered to allow the students to achieve success:
1. Screen plays - Basics of story telling (rise and fall action)
2. Story boarding
3. Shots and composition - understanding how shots should be taken and put together through analysis and practice
4. Basic use of equipment
5. Acting for cinema
6. Editing
Useful Links
Shooting Tips
Framing and Composition
Video sequencing
Editing Tips
Film making tutorial
Film acting
Acting tips
Framing and Composition
Video sequencing
Editing Tips
Film making tutorial
Film acting
Acting tips
Silent Films
We watched examples of various silent films, including Charlie Chaplin. We focused on the physicality of the acting and how that conveys humor. Students also analyzed the videos, paying attention to shots, sequencing and editing. They then came up with a scenario and had to showcase similar techniques.
Documentaries
The students worked in groups and had to create a documentary of a famous person or event. We watched samples of each type of documentary and students had to make notes, analyzing what features are used in a documentary, including:
- Camera work
- Tone
- Sequencing
- Content
They then equally shared the responsibility of researching their event/ person. They were allowed to use photographs and some footage, but also had to re-create interviews or scenes ensuring that each member had an acting role. As the performer, they had to analyze their character and try to embody them.
- Camera work
- Tone
- Sequencing
- Content
They then equally shared the responsibility of researching their event/ person. They were allowed to use photographs and some footage, but also had to re-create interviews or scenes ensuring that each member had an acting role. As the performer, they had to analyze their character and try to embody them.