This week in lab, our second week of Zombie Month, we focused on the art of cinematography!  Framing, filming and more were hot topics this week, followed by some practice filming on our set of lab tablets.

 

Rules of Thumb

To help our students complete one of the two October challenges, we covered filming rules like how to frame shots with the rule of thirds, also known as the golden rectangle, and how to make each shot unique and interesting.  We asked questions like, “What makes a photo good or bad?” “How do different photos convey different moods/emotions?” and “How does the perspective of the camera in relation to the character make a difference?”  Students began to understand that film is a type of art, which is quite subjective.  

 

Cinematic Features

Lighting, angles, setting and motion were a few of the important cinematic techniques showed to the students.  After showing a series of contrasting types of photographs to illustrate these techniques, our instructors showed a short clip from “Forrest Gump” where Forret ran right out of his leg braces!  There were many aspects that made this scene so memorable and we asked the students to pick out a few that stood out to them.  Then, we gave each student a tablet and showed them how to start practicing filming, and challenged them to use some of the filming techniques we talked about.

 

Technique & Creativity

While students ran around the lab filming mechanical hands, RiQ and sometimes each other, instructors gave helpful filming advice. “If you more head around fast, everything gets blurry, just like when you move the camera too quickly!” an instructor explained to one of our students experimenting with camera motion.  There is definitely an art to filming, which is why we love to incorporate it into our October curriculum!  We have realized that art and science can combine to create magic – evident in the film industry – which is why we no longer advocate STEM education but STEAM education!  Topics should not be categorized and separated, but rather looked at how they overlap and relate to one another in new and exciting ways.  

 

Curious Creations

The students are starting to produce their films, and we can’t contain our curiosity!  Although the films will be featured at the end of this month during our Open House, we can’t help but take a peek at what these students are starting to create.  Some have jumped at the chance to make a viral video of our RiQ bot that will spread like wildfire, and others have chosen to write their own zombie storyboard.  Instructors are available for consult and advice, but it is really the students that run with their films.  We love the diversity and imagination blossoming!  

 

Clarity of Mind

As we taught the students the technical aspects of filming, we encouraged them to get inspired by our weekly habits of mind: to think and communicate with clarity and precision.  Each student has their own vision when creating a film, and it is important to know how to communicate these ideas – be clear!  With accurate communication, their dreams can become a film reality in our lab where we make the magic happen.