Smartphone Filmmaking (Grades 3-7)
Dates: 7/8-7/29
Time: 4PM – 5PM PST /6PM-7 PM CDT/7PM-8PM EST (60 minutes/class)
Class description
Students will make:
Students create a film of their own and enjoy the experience of filmmaking using just a smartphone.
They have the following options:
- make a film on environmental awareness, and participate in an exhibit such as Earth Day Fair. Students will receive an info packet if they choose this option. Suggested topics: CLIMATE CHANGE | CLMATE JUSTICE | WATER CONSERVATION | REDUCE PLASTIC USE | POLLUTION | PROTECT OUR OCEAN | NATIVE PLANTS | BIODIVERSITY
- make a film of their own choice and simply have fun
Students will learn:
Foundations for screenwriting, visual storytelling skills, camera angles, editing techniques and transitions, foundations in sound.
o Week 1 – Introductions & Course goals. Foundation in screenplay development (Story circle, story spine, Three Act Structure ) Screenplay format & the Pixar Storytelling formula.
o Week 2 – Informal Pitch to shooting ( Visual Storytelling, how to communicate using show don't tell.) Develop Visual Storytelling Tools, Foundations about Storyboard/Animatic/Shooting Board
o Week 3 – Smartphone filming, apps, and suggested equipment. Type of shots, Steps for Lighting a Scene
o Week 4 – Foundation on film editing and sound. Editing apps.
o Week 5 – Credits, Citing Sources & Permissions. Student-made films & Final reflection of the course.
Instructor
https://www.nextgeneducationus.org/teachers
Mr. Gus is an experienced Video Editor and Videographer adept at meeting client needs throughout the entirety of the film process. He is a teaching artist and film instructor for Austin Film Festival. He has taught the use of smartphones or tablets as a tool for filmmaking. The
process covers the idea, preproduction, production, filming, and editing.Class size
4-8 kids. Small class size, highly interactive and individualized.
(Age 8-13)
NextGen Edu 21st Century Skills and Mindset:
- Visual storytelling skills
- Creativity
- Communication (show not tell)
- Collaborations
- Leadership skills
- Video editing skills
- Publishing, Privacy, & Digital Citizenship
Supply List
- Students must own a smartphone or a Smart Tablet for the class.
- Mr. Gus will recommend editing software that is free and can be downloaded from the appropriate website.
- (Optional) During class, Mr. Gus will send a list of equipment/tools that is appropriate for students who want to embark on smartphone filmmaking in the future.