I have the opportunity to teach cinematography to high school students and I've come here for the best advice. If you had to teach someone what you know about filmmaking and all its substrata, what are the 5 essential elements you'd want them to know?
Cinematography : Teaching cinematography by Aaron W. Miller
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I founded a film school where the final exam/course project for each student was to make a feature length film. I taught them to write, direct, edit, market in addition to film appreciation. Is that five elements?
Stephen, thank you for the input. That's the sort of curriculum I had in mind as an overall guide for the course. What I'm mainly interested in, however, is the elements that are essential to a student of film after high school. Whatever I teach (theater, stagecraft, English, creative writing, script writing) I always incorporate concepts that are not limited by the state "standards". Perhaps you could share some of the filmmaking techniques or directing for film tips you've picked up over your career?
I articulated for my students five types of shots for them to get when they directed a scene. Later, after they were conversant with the purpose of each shot, they could elect to dispense with one or more of them according to what they wanted to do with the scene. They were: Master, Rhythm (or as the French say, champ-contrechamp), Insert/Cut-away, Transition and, most importantly, Declarative. A good definition of a declarative shot is one you could watch without the sound and know from the nature of the shot what the subtext of the scene is.
Wow, that is excellent material Stephen. I can certainly put that to use over the summer as I try to build this beast of a course, thank you kindly.
It was one small part of a year long curriculum I created. I hope it serves you well!
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Aaron, I think you can teach someone everything you know about film-making but, unless you teach them to learn themselves first, it really does not matter much. I explain. Film-making is a direct descendant of language, followed by theater (stage). In the beginning, books rocked the world of entertainment, given the absence of today-type media. If you wanted to be known and famous, you simply had to write or be written about. So what do you write? Anything! Just tell your students to find their passion -whatever it may be- give it the value that it is worth, and film it. It could be the routine traffic of parent-teacher gathering at the school's entrance during pick-ups and drop-offs, just to give you an example. Passion makes film-making, I think and believe firmly.
Luigi, I could not agree with you more. I've been teaching English, writing, and Theatre Arts for 10 years and I believe that one of my primary responsibilities (particularly in teaching theatre) is to give students the chance to learn how to solve problems. So this week, I jumped into filmmaking with my theatre II students and it has been revolutionary for me. Then I came across this site and BAM, second revolutionary moment.
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Aaron, you could also go to a book we had to study the 5 C's of Cinematography : camera angles, continuity, cutting, close ups, and most important composition.
Ira, I greatly appreciate the insight--definitely something I can use. By any chance, do you have the title of the book--or is it actually called the 5 C's of Cinematography?
just a suggestion: this topic might make for some informative blog posts. A refresher or intro to the 5 Cs would make at least one interesting blog post, Ira. Aaron, I would be interested in knowing how you prepared for and eventually delivered the material to the students. It is just a suggestion.
If I can remember after the event, I will be glad to post something on an established blog...I am beginning my own blog theatreartsteach.wordpress.com with the intent to share what I've learned from teaching theater to theatre kids.
Preparation is key. Time spent in good, thorough prep saves both time, energy & money in production. Scripting, storyboarding, communicating & organizing as much as possible so the film is well defined before shooting starts, this gives the whole crew cast a strong connection to the movie and it's essence. The importance of good storytelling - the power of what to show as well as not to show, how to show, etc Using Lighting to create atmosphere. Don't rely on just visuals but the use of sound, dialogue, music to enhance the experience. Composition and top mistakes to avoid when setting up shots. Different shooting styles and complimentary editing styles. I would also suggest watching some Classic Movies that show amazing and inspiring cinematography. If not whole films, influential clips. Tell them not to be afraid to experiment and innovate with ideas. Be cinematic, cinema is bold and needs to fill a screen, with either visuals, characters, feeling or story. The importance of working as a team, being open and flexible as well as the focus to stick to the essence of the film. Also get them talking about their favourite movies and scenes and what they loved about them and how a film spoke to them and try to get them to define the elements which moved and inspired them, then help them bring out these elements in their own work. There is nowt so powerful than inspiration and passion when starting out in film and when a group of people come together to make an idea manifest, it can be one of the most amazing experiences for both the makers and viewers. :)
Aaron - The Five C's of Cinematography: Motion Picture Filming Techniques [Paperback] by Joseph V. Mascelli
Thanks for the update Ira
Jen, what a comprehensive response...extremely informative and quite inline with what & how I teach.
I have been conducting a Movie Camp for a group of children and have taught kids in the Cook Islands and India about movie making. Here is a link to a movie I made on how to make movies. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_aVL_3Z2W4