Learn the Fundamentals of Filmmaking
Learning In Focus
Resources to Engage, Teach, and Inspire Students through Filmmaking
courtesy of UtahFilmCenter.org
Spending some time learning a few fundamentals of cinematography is worthwhile. Not only will it will improve both the media-making process and product, but it will also save you time in the long run. In this unit, you will be introduced to the fundamentals of the filmmaking process: from pre-production to production and post-production. In addition to receiving a crash course on the technical skills required to produce a film, you will also be introduced to the key cinematic principles of storytelling, storyboarding, cinematography, copyright, and editing. All of these critical digital storytelling elements will help you build media literacy and digital storytelling skills, providing you with a strong foundation to move through the next three units in the SHIFT curriculum guide, and begin using media arts as a teaching strategy in your classroom.
PRE-PRODUCTION
Story Structure 1.1
The traditional story arc is at the essence of almost all stories and the most common format used in filmmaking.
Watch V4CUUM-RBT: A Love Story. Identify and discuss the three acts of the film.
Visual Storytelling, Shot Styles and Composition 1.2
Learning visual storytelling techniques and employing a myriad of shot styles will play a big role in helping you tell your story. Filmmakers use different shots and camera movements to convey emotion and affect the way the audience thinks and feels about the subject.
Watch the Shot Styles and Composition instructional video and use the shot styles handout to practice.
Read the nine sentence story examples and use the template to write your own.
Shot Styles
Nine Sentence Story Examples
Nine Sentence Story Template
Cinematography & Storyboarding 1.3
You are now beginning the process of transferring the story to the screen. Watch the Storyboarding instructional video, and the Nine Sentence Story Movie Samples and study how the nine sentence story #2 was translated to the screen.
Storyboarding Samples
Storyboarding Template
PRODUCTION
Shooting, Collecting, and Creating Media 1.4-1.6
It's time to film your video. Before cutting loose into production, make sure you have established careful equipment checkout protocol and all students clearly understand their roles and responsibilities.
Camera Use & Management
Production Roles
POST-PRODUCTION
Editing, Exporting, and Exhibition 1.7
Before beginning editing your footage, watch the Music and Editing Styles instructional videos. There are many video editing software tutorials online, and some good ones are curated under "educator resources" on the SHIFT website.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Tips for managing your media files and student release forms, and a rubric to assess the filmmaking elements and digital storytelling process.
Media Management
Sample Parent Release
Sample Subject Release
Filmmaking Rubric
Congratulations! You have made it through Filmmaking Bootcamp, here is your certificate:
Certification of Completion
