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Our Silent Film Festival
puts students in creative control of the filmmaking process. After exploring
a brief history
of film (silent film era - first color films of
the 1930s), students follow a pre-production sequence in small
groups
(2 to 4 students per group): brainstorming, developing and
writing a synopsis, scriptwriting/storyboard development,
creating
text frames (the text appearing on screen), creating props and film
sets.
Filming occurs in one or two days depending on the size of the
class. Students use digital video cameras to shoot their silent films in sequence - title sequence, action followed by text
frames to communicate the story (whenever a character speaks or to
communicate a time, place, or specific setting).
Post-production activities
include selecting (or composing) music for the film's soundtrack, and
editing
the film on
computers using video editing software. Students learn how
to use the software to make creative decisions regarding
the overall
form and style of their work. They also create DVD copies of
their finished film project.
The culminating activity is a Silent Film Festival held in
the classroom. Movie posters are made and hung, invitations
created and delivered to administrators, teachers, staff, and building
engineers,
and popcorn is served!
The entire process may also be filmed by selected
students from beginning (the brainstorming) to end (the festival).
A
documentary film of the unit can then be produced for future reference
or as an opening short at the beginning of
the festival.
Cookie Thief
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Cookie Thief was created by 8th graders Iris Mosah, Randrea Coleman, and Dagnia Villafuerte. The film team
chose to produce their project in black and white for a more authentic look.
Synopsis:
A friendly sleepover goes horribly wrong when a fresh batch of homemade chocolate chip cookies
are stolen. Will the cookie thief be found before it's too late? Watch and find out.
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Sickness
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Sickness was created by
7th graders Wenzale Knowles, Jay Dodson, Alex Jackson, Jamin Armour, and Justin
Williams. The film team added some special effects to give their film a strong
visual interest and to convey
the "sickness" feeling.
Synopsis:
It's morning... time to go to work, but someone in the group is sick (or is he?). See what happens
after the others leave their sick colleague behind, especially when the music starts playing!
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