Film and Television... How Hard Can It Be?

Well, as I continue to put the finishing touches on my video project, I have since changed my attitude, that it can't be THAT difficult. Boy was I wrong. I spent so much time filming something that I felt was compelling, only to be completely unsatisfied with the result. I think I take for granted the amount of time that producers and directors put into everything behind a movie or TV show. From sound track, to lighting, and angles. I was only making a 2 minute video, and it took me forever. You may not think so when you see it, but there was a lot of time and effort put into it. It makes me think about my job. I can recall on more than one occasion when my husband and I were first married, and he thought that teaching was so easy. "It can't be that tough, you go in, babysit a bunch of kids for a few hours and come home". It wasn't until he had to begin taking a more active role, cutting out things, coloring things, drawing pictures, basically becoming one of the classroom "dads" despite the fact he didn't have a kid in the classroom. I think it was then that he realized the amount of planning and time that goes into my job. I feel like this is where I fit into the idea of film and TV now. I have had to take a more active and hands on role in it, and now I know it is not just fun and games, and that it is tiring, and time consuming. I think the point of making a compelling experience for my students means putting that extra time and planning into it so that they get to have a well designed activity. Maybe I can add more elements to it that makes it more enjoyable for them, and that they are compelled by the whole experience. As for the imaginative bridges, in the Percussive Editing article, Hirsch said, "editing can be the organization of two-dimensional movements on the screen within a given period of time." I take this statement into the classroom completely! As teachers, we are taught to be flexible the "first take" or the first introduction to a new concept might not go according to plan. We have to regroup and "reshoot" or reteach the lesson in a different way, in "different light". Then we might end up with a product that is satisfactory... our kids get the concept. Just like a film director has to film a scene only to film it again the next day. I think teachers have to do a similar thing within the walls of the classroom. We go back to the drawing board and try a new "take". Both teachers, and filmmakers are faced with a time constraint. We need to teach certain content within a given amount of time and a filmmaker needs to film a movie in a certain amount of time as well. Being efficient and paying attention to our audience, or our students will help us make compelling lessons, or movies. I guess it is apparent every art has it's struggles.

What does Compelling mean, and how can I use this to teach?

I have been trying to decide what compelling means when I think about it in my classroom. Does it mean that my kids are involved in what is going on? No, I think of that as engagement. What about that they are excited about what I am teaching? No again. I think that can best be described by enthusiasm. The more I think about it, the more I think compelling means a combination of not only how involved the kids are, and how excited they are, but also what I put into the experience for them as well. I think there are plenty of activities that can have high student engagement and not be very compelling. When I look at this week's articles, and the whole concept of t.v. and movies, I really think this helps to put things into perspective for me. The directors and producers of things such as The Godfather, or My Best Friend's Wedding don't just put something out there. I'm sure that they could, and that they would have high engagement from their audience, however I don't think it would be considered a compelling show or clip. The more time that they put into their work of art, the more they are molding it to be compelling for their audience. I think if we can take this mind set into the classroom, we will be able to create more compelling experiences for our students. If I look to not only create something that has high student engagement, but also that is compelling, I am pretty certain that my students will be more successful. This will be something to research further as the course continues!

Photo assignment

Well this week has been hectic! I enjoyed trying to capture the most compelling picture, but it was not as easy as I thought it would be. I tried nature, outside...that was a bust! I tried using "natural patterns" like the stairs, the hardwood floor, the fireplace.... again, not interesting. It looked like a bad photo from a craigslist add for a house up for sale. I finally ended on the dining room table and candle holders. I love this table, it is my favorite piece of furniture in our whole house. It was the first piece of furniture we bought when we got married, so it is special to me. The first is the color version, and then I went black and white on it!

Pictures

Well, I just finished the readings for this week on photography! I think I read them all and couldn't get enough! I have had a new camera on my wish list for a few months since having my daughter and this makes me want one even more. I love seeing pictures of kids where the photographer was able to capture the most simple thing, yet it looks so amazing in the photograph. My sister in law has a gift for pictures, and she is the one who has been trying to convince me to get a great camera because they capture the moments of the little ones' lives so quickly. If any of you have children, you know that they don't sit STILL!!! Not for one second! If you have a great camera that can capture things in the blink of an eye, mixed with the knowledge of what makes a great photo, I can only imagine the wonderful memories that can be created to last a lifetime. I am looking forward to my new camera!