movie making and english learning at st anthonys canossian secondary school

Using Storyboards & Movie Making to Develop Skills in Speaking & Writing

St Anthony’s Canossian Secondary School

Paviter SinghMasters Candidate, [email protected]

Monday, April 19, 2010

mailto:[email protected]


Espoused TheorySchool

If we create an environment based on shared understanding, shared accountability and shared responsibility for the improvement of instructional practice

Teachers

If teachers share a common practice, re!ect and make improvements to it using a common language and common observation protocol

Students

If we are able to transfer the agency of learning to students

If students have a sense of efficacy with regards to their ability to learn

If students are able to apply what they learn in speaking and writing to real life situations

Then students will attain high levels of achievement


Theory in UseStudents

Are disengaged, disinterested, unmotivated

Are performing below grade level

Experienced Teachers

Blame students for poor grades

Do not feel that there is a need to change/modify their practice

Novice Teachers

Are willing to try new approaches but do not have appropriate guidance / support

School

Wants raise student motivation and achievement

Wants to get teachers to improve their instructional practice


Theory of ActionStudents

If students are engaged in activities that they #nd important and meaningful

If students develop a greater sense of efficacy with regards to speaking and writing in English

If students feel that they are in control of their own learning

Then students will attain high levels of achievement

Teachers

If teachers are trained and provided with the support

If teachers see the positive outcome of the pilot project

Then teachers would have the knowledge, skills, understanding and expertise to help students

attain high levels of achievement


The ProjectStudents would work in groups to create a short 5 min movie clip on a social issue important to teenagers

Clari#ed expectations of groups and group members

Each group had a teacher advisor and student facilitator

Completed movie clips would be screened at a local cinema

Writing Skills

Story boarding, script writing and movie editing

Students to create a blog and post an entry after each session

Speaking Skills

Acting, oral presentation of the synopsis to their movie

Transfer of Agency

All lesson material put online

http://web.mac.com/paviter/Sinema/Home.html




The ResourcesHardware

16 computers (2 for each group)

8 video cameras (1 for each group)

Software

Movie Making application

Time

7 training sessions of between 4 to 5 hrs

1 to 2 weeks for students to #lm

Finale where completed work is presented

Facilitators

Technical Instructors (Sinema Old School)

4 teachers

8 college students (one for each group)


The CurriculumSession 1: Finding a Story to Tell 1

Students watch clips from various short #lms and discuss

Character and character development

Background and setting

What story to tell and how to go about writing it

How to turn a story into a script

Work at home

Theme: A Social Issue

Write a short story on an issue that you are passionate about


The CurriculumSession 2: Finding a Story to Tell 2

Students to come to the session having written a short story (to be translated into a script)

Instructor shows/explains to students what is a story board (using an example from a popular Singaporean Sit-com)

Students work to translate their stories into storyboards (text, sounds, pictures)

Discuss the difficulties faced

With this knowledge, how would you select an appropriate story


The CurriculumSession 3: Pre-Production 1

Students form groups of 5. Each member takes on a role such as director, producer, sound tech, lighting tech, cast coordinator

Discuss in groups (with guidance):

Script: Breakdown and organize the written script into different components for preparation

Location Scouting: Finding locations / negotiating for locations

Casting: Find talents / conduct an audition

Schedule: Plan overall timeline / shoot schedule

Budgeting: Plan and manage budget


The CurriculumSession 4: Pre-Production 2

Understanding the rules of #lm making

What can and cannot be done

Hands-On Session on the use of various equipment

Digital Camera

Video Camera

Lights

How to position cameras/lights for maximum effect

Learning from expert camera men and women responsible for shooting famous local sitcoms!


The Curriculum

Session 5: Sounds for Film

Hands-on training on more advanced features of #lming & editing

Voice

Background noise

Sound effects

How to pick the best space for your scene


The Curriculum

Guided Practicum (in groups)

Groups to discuss and work on their script / story board

Groups to loan out video cameras for 1-2 weeks to shoot their #lms


The CurriculumSession 6: How to use Video Editing Software

All groups should have completed shooting by this stage

4 hour training session on how to edit video

Groups to practice using their own footage

Groups to arrange to use computers for editing outside of training hours (if required)


The Curriculum

Session 7: Critique

Exporting of #nal product to disc

Round table re!ection / critique (plus delta)

Groups prepare & rehearse their 1 minute presentation


The FinaleScreening of Student Films

Each group required to introduce their #lm before it is screened

All teachers and parents of students in attendance

Speech by Sinema Director and School Principal

Students given certi#cates of completion and surprise gifts (tote bags)

Films are also screened in school to all other students at a later date


OutcomesStudent Participants

Pride and con#dence

Writing and speaking are not as difficult as they thought

Real improvement in academic results & engagement in class

Better communication/relationship with parents

Parents (unintended)

Pride and surprise in the ability of their children

Renewed support and engagement in school activities


OutcomesTeacher Facilitators

Mentors and ambassadors to other teachers

Inspired to explore yet new ways to improve their practice

Other Teachers

Surprised at what their students are capable of

More willing to re-look at their practice and consider suggestions for improvements


Moving Forward

School Level improvement

Teacher PD and support

Scalability across all classes in that grade level

Review student suggestions for improvement


Using Storyboards & Movie Making to Develop Skills in Speaking & Writing

St Anthony’s Canossian Secondary School

Paviter SinghMasters Candidate, [email protected]







movie making and english learning at st anthonys canossian secondary school

Education