Filming
Present each part of the lesson in the following order:
KEY VOCABULARY (5 min.):
Action: the word the director says to instruct the cast and crew to begin the scene.
Rolling: the word the director says to let the cast and crew know the cameras are rolling, usually before calling “action” to begin the scene.
Cut: the word the director says to instruct the cast and crew to stop filming.
Reset: the word the director says to instruct the actors to go back to their starting places for the shot so another take can be filmed. This may also mean that props and set pieces need to go back to their starting places. [Film Terms and Phrases, A to Z Guide to Film Terms, 5th Edition]
Take: a single continuously-recorded performance, shot, or version of a scene with a particular camera setup; often, multiple takes are made of the same shot during filming, before the director approves the shot. [Film Site Film Terms Glossary from AMC, Written and Edited by Tom Dirks]
Filming Tutorial (10 min.):
Show your students a basic tutorial on the type of camera they plan to use. For example, you could play them this guide, “How to Film Professional Videos with an iPhone,” or this guide, “How to Film Professional Videos with An Android Smartphone,” both by filmmaker, Justin Brown. Ensure that they get the definitions of any words they do not understand within the video.
Activity (25 min.):
Give the students the following “filming scavenger hunt,” to be completed individually or in teams, depending on the availability of cameras and/or smart phones. Instruct them to say: “rolling,” “action,” and “cut” at the appropriate times for all videos, and to do at least three takes (including resetting) of each so that they can choose the best one.
Film a close shot
Film a medium shot
Film a long shot
Film an establishing shot
Film something that is moving
Film something that is still
Film one person
Film two people having a conversation
Film a group of three or more people
Tell students that a video may count for more than one category simultaneously. For example, they could film a close shot of something that is still, or film a medium shot of two people having a conversation.
Discussion (10 min.):
Ask students what was most fun and what was most challenging about the activity.
Encourage students to share their favorite take and explain why they think it was successful.
Instruct students to share what they’ve learned, including tips and advice, with other students.
Assignment (5 min. in class, TBD. at home):
Tell students that it is time for them to film their PSAs. Suggest that they review all of the prior lessons before shooting, since all prior materials lead up to this assignment.
∞ End of Lesson ∞