We learn how to kiss, or to drink, or to talk to our buddies; all the things you can't really teach in social studies or history, we learn them at the movies - Jack Nicholson
It would be naive to ignore the omnipresence of the screen in daily life and our familiarity with its use for a myriad of purposes, including:
- Entertainment
- Education
- Creativity
- Work
Fortunately, the reluctance to bring something so familiar into the learning environment is being eroded, and the use of film is increasingly being given higher priority within the school curriculum and lifelong learning.
Film is becoming valued as a tool in itself and also as an excellent medium for building transferable skills
advances
Until recently, filmmaking in the classroom and other non-professional contexts has been a difficult, and financially prohibitive, endeavour. However, the digital revolution is changing that, as affordable high quality cameras, faster computers and entry level editing software become more accessible.
Nowadays, when we talk about 'filmmaking' what we really mean is the art of 'program-making', using digital video tape and computer editing, rather than traditional celluloid film. It is possible to do amazing things with very little equipment, yet the right equipment remains a key part of the filmmaking process.
people
The most important resource is of course people. As an educator or facilitator you will be using film - not just to find tomorrow's Steven Spielberg - but to help young people develop skills and personal strengths.
Film demands lots of different skills which means that a whole class or community group can participate. Not only writers, artists, performers, musicians and technicians, but organisers, planners, computer whizz kids.... everyone will have something to contribute to the group activities. In addition, the making of the film creates an opportunity to extend existing talents and draw out new ones while building team spirit and empowering people.
media in the curriculum
If you are contemplating using film to support the curriculum, you are embarking on a new and exciting approach. Even where it is viewed initially with a little suspicion, many schools are starting to reap the benefits of using film in the curriculum and the growing number of examples of good practice convince heads, and parents of its value. Used effectively, it can produce amazing results with all ages and all levels of ability and can inspire even the most reluctant to participate.
We usually use the word 'film' on this site to cover the broadest sense of 'moving image' including: film, video, television and elements within computing - essentially all time-based media
Interest can produce learning on a scale compared to fear as a nuclear explosion to a firecracker - Stanley Kubrick