filmmaking for teachers sandra lipkind united nations international school ib film teacher, ict...
TRANSCRIPT
Filmmaking for TeachersSandra Lipkind
United Nations International SchoolIB Film teacher, ICT teacher, Technology Integrator
[email protected]://tinyurl.com/ecisitfilm101
So, you want your students to make a film…
Be an Ally - Films from M3
Problem Example
Good Example
What stops many teachers● Not sure how to teach filmmaking● Time ● Classroom Management ● Equipment● Support
Importance of teaching Film and Filmmaking?
● Critical Thinking● Learn about cultures, the past, different
points of view● Engages Learners● Creativity● Collaboration● Fun!
What’s More...
● Most everyone loves film● We live in a visual world ● Visual Literacy skills ● Powerful way for students to express
themselves
So, Where to begin? It depends!
● Basics of Film Language ● Mini Lessons ● Short production exercises● Editing exercises
Teaching Film Language
● Film High Five (from The Film Space)● Teaching Trailers (Primary & Secondary)● Watch short clips and analyze (Short
lessons)● Mise en Scéne analysis
Using the Film High Five
From Teaching Trailers Primary
Teaching Mise en Scene
● Everything in the Scene - How do all of the elements work together to:o Tell the storyo Create the atmosphereo Highlight key themeso Give information to the audience
Activity: Analyze a scene using the High Five
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5rh7O4IDc0
Activity: Imagine a Room
What would you put in a room for the following inhabitants?● A classroom in a private school● A middle class suburban family● An American spy in 2015● The living room of a wealthy family in the
1920s
What are the steps?
● Pre-production (Planning Process)● Production (Shooting the Film)● Post-Production (Editing)
Pre-Production
● Make groups and come up with an idea● Propose idea● Write and rewrite a script● Create storyboards● Create Character Profiles● Create shot lists
Developing the Idea & Proposing It
● Teacher is the producer● Type of film (documentary or fiction)● Short films are a genre themselves.● Must be visual - use pictures and sound.● Not too much dialogue.● Have students brainstorm ideas● Use the Brainstorming
Planning Sheet
Three Act Structure - for Fiction FilmBeginning Middle End
Research format for Documentary ● Research - What research do students
need to do?● Interviews - Who will they interview? What
questions will they ask?● What found footage will they need?● Take B rollVisual (What is shown on the screen) Audio (What is heard? Narration?)
Writing the Script
● Type of script depends on the type of film● All group members should be involved even
if there is one writer.● Can use free script writing software● www.Celtx.com
The Screenplay
● Dialogue● Actor Movement & Emotions● Camera Directions● Sounds / music / sound effects ● Lighting● Location & Props● Timing when things should occur
Sample Screenplay
Script Breakdown
Storyboard
Sample Storyboard
Storyboard
Character Profiles● Presentation for
teaching developing characters
● Template for students on developing characters
Character Profile
Shotlist
Genre Exercise
How many conventions of an horror film can you think of in 1 minute?
The Babadook Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szaLnKNWC-U
Activity: Genre Conventions
● Spend a few minutes brainstorming the conventions of a genre
● Science fiction, Western, Horror, Romantic Comedy, Action, Adventure, Musical
● Show a trailer from that genre● Discuss
Production - Camera Basics
● Cameras - don’t need anything fancy - use what you have
● Hold camera in two hands● Never wave camera around● Tripod or no tripod - depends on film● Use your body as a tripod● Use a rolling chair as a dolly
Shooting● Practice with actors● Practice with camera● Film master shots● Film other shots (different angles, OTS,
Cutaways, Inserts)● Do not zoom - move the camera● Pan sparingly - makes people dizzy● Leave sufficient heads & tails on shots
Capturing Footage● Steps to capture footage (when to hit record)● Say, “Ready” (make sure the actors are
ready or the scene is ready)● Say, “Roll Camera”● Press the button● Silently signal to the people in the shot
by pointing at them.
Multiple Shoot Days● Continuity● Take photos of people’s outfits ● Take photos of set design● Be aware of the light and time of day
Recording Sound ● Recording sound while filming
o Make sure the camera is close to the actorso Film in a quiet locationo Slate the sound
● Capture room tone (at least a minute or two)● Foley - Adding sounds to your film
o Teach students to watch each action in the film and record sounds for each action.
● Music - Soundtracko If there is dialogue is in the script, use
instrumental music. Songs with voice in the background are distracting.
Activity: Count the cuts
Scene from Dil Se
Scene from Dil Se
Post-Production● Transfer footage to the computer as they go.
o Check for sound issueso Check to see if they need to reshoot right theno Much easier to reshoot when everyone is there and
everything is set up● All students should be involved with the
editing - even if it isn’t their role.● Option - Have all students edit their
own film from the same footage.
Editing● Import All Footage to the Program
o Put footage into an event● Go through footage with group and favorite
the clips they like● Create an assemblage. (Assemble the clips
in order)● Work on creating a rough cut.
Editing● Continuity Editing
o Smooth over the cuts so they are invisible and logical
● Use room tone captured when filming● Use transitions for specific purposes
Peer Critique & Feedback● Talk to students about how to provide
feedback to others o What you likeo What questions you haveo Suggestionso Can use index cards
● Show rough cuts
Final Cut & Reflection● Create a fun day to view films
o Have popcorn● Writing assignment about process
o Reflectiono Write about their role in the film and what their
original vision was and how it compared to the final film.
o What worked, what didn’t, what would they do differently next time
Activity: Editing Exercises
● Give students some footage to edit. ● Have students create a movie trailer for a
short film● Have students create a soundtrack for a film● Voice over and foley (Despicable me)
Example of voice over
Teaching Sound
● ADR - Additional Dialogue Recording● Foley - Adding sounds to your film● Music - Soundtrack
Activity: Listening to a film
● October Sky - opening sceneo Listen once (no visuals) write what you hearo Discusso Listen again (no visuals) and discusso Watch and listeno Discuss
More Resources
● There are resources linked throughout the presentation
● Teaching Trailers● The Story of Movies● BFI - Thinking Film● Into film ● Learn About Film
Any Questions?Sandra Lipkind
United Nations International [email protected]
Presentation: http://tinyurl.com/ecisitfilm101