Movie Workshop for Elementary Students: Facilitator Resources

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The goal of this workshop is to provide students with a creative outlet for the exploration in the art of film making. The workshop, if followed accordingly, will take students through several of the steps needed to create a short film:

• The selecton of a film career/role during the workshop
• The writing of a screenplay
• The translation of a screenplay to storyboard and execution of film directing
• The evaluation and design of props and costumes
• Filming the production
• Editing the production
• Showing the production

Through the use of this workshop, students will be asked to think critically about all aspects of the film they make, including the effect of specific shots, the quality of writing, the caliber of acting, selection of costumes, and the organization of a final product--their film. They will also need to creatively think of and write an original story and figure out how to film and produce it.

Utlimately, by the end of this workshop, students will have created their own film (or possibly films) that they can present to other classmates and family members and hold onto for memories.

Overall, the workshop should take about five weeks. Here is a breakdown of a potential sequence and procedure for the workshop:

1. Prior to the workshop, the LMS sets up a display that gains student interest in the workshop. Students sign up for the workshop using the Google from in this LibGuide.
2. During the first week, the LMS and experts will meet with students for about two hours (probably as an after school program) to help them explore screenwriting and write their own screenplays. Students will then use their own time to collaboratively finish their screenplays in  Google Docs.*
3. During the second week, the LMS and experts will meet with students for about two hours to help them discuss storyboarding and provide assistance in translating their screenplays to storyboard format. Students will be able to use Toondoo.com or Kidsvid.com to design their own storyboards on their own time throughout the week.*
4. During the third week, the LMS and experts will meet with students for about two hours to help them design and develop their costumes and props. Students will also be able to complete these costumes and props on their own time outside of the formally scheduled time slots for the workshop.*
5. During the fourth week, the LMS will meet with students for about two hours to help them film the shots from their storyboards along with the dialogue in the screenplays. Student will also be able to check out cameras to shoot scenes on their own time.*
6. During the fifth week, the LMS and experts will meet with students to help them edit their films using either iMovie or Windows Movie Maker. Students will also be able to use the LMC in their free time to work on the editing of their films.*
7. In the end, the final versions of the films can either be shown as an "Opening Night" viewing by the school or will be on display for students to view in the LMC and on this LibGuide. As another option, the LMS might choose to hold a "Film Festival" where students will view a major Hollywood production. Prior to this viewing, the film created by students will "open" the festival.

*To ensure that students participating in the workshop have adequate support throughout this entire process, the LMC should be open and the LMS available at all times throughout the five week period. This will ensure that students can come in, seek the help they need, or complete work that needs to be done in their free time throughout the school day.

This list of resources will provide you with more detailed information on the skills students will be asked to use in this workshop. Use these titles as  references so that you can better answer students' questions and provide guidance in the writing, filming, and editing processes of their short films.

The following information and technology standards from the Wisconsin Model Academic Standards for Information and Technology Literacy are covered in this workshop.

Media and Technology:

A.4.1: Use common media and technology terminology and equipment.

A.4.2: Identify and use common media formats.

A.4.3: Use a computer and productivity software to organize and create information.

A.4.4: Use a computer and communications software to access and transmit information.

A.4.5: Use media and technology to create and present information.

A.4.6: Evaluate the use of media and technology in a production or presentation.

Information and Inquiry:

B.4.1: Define the need for information.

B.4.3: Locate and access information sources.

B.4.6: Interpret and use information to solve the problem or answer the question.

Independent Learning:

C.4.1: Pursue information related to various dimensions of personal well-being and academic success.

C.4.3: Develop competence and selectivity in reading, listening, and viewing.

C.4.4: Demonstrate self-motivation and increasing responsibility for their learning.

The Learning Community:

D.4.1: Participate productively in workgroups or other collaborative learning environments.

D.4.2: Use information, media, and technology in a responsible manner.

D.4.3: Respect intellectual property rights.

D.4.4: Recognize the importance of intellectual freedom and access to information in a democratic society.

Please check your district's policies regarding the use of student pictures and/or videos for production and/or for uploading to YouTube.  You may also need to gain parents' permission to use their children's pictures or other work for public display.