Learn from the industry!
A great way to develop an understanding of storytelling through film is to recreate a scene from a great mentor text. Richard Linklater’s work with young people is unparalleled in Hollywood and he really gets the best out of young talent which is often drawn from casting non-actors. School of Rock is an excellent example of a film I highly recommend to my students. This particular scene features a brilliantly directed Jack Black offering kind words of encouragement to Lawrence who suffers from low self-esteem. It’s simple in its execution and a joy to recreate with small groups of children.
Timing: Production 1 hour (ideally cast have learnt lines and rehearsed prior to filming)
Location: Classroom/any school environment
Editing and critique: 1 Hour
Steps: Children shown the scene and are provided with the original screenplay. A production team of four divided into cast and director/cam operator for rehearsals to work out how to shoot/block the scene.
Roles: Director, Talent X2, Camera operator and sound – (boomed if available).
Film concepts: blocking, composition, directing, production procedures
