Video Production for Everyone Craig Ham, Westminster Preparatory School Augusta, Georgia

Everyone loves a good story, especially when the unbelievable seems real.  Movies have always amazed us--not just in their ability to tell a story but making us believe that it can happen.  Co-authors Chris Curchy and Keith Kyker have served as media specialist in various public schools in Florida and provided several sessions on student created video.

Using their wit and wisdom they presented a series of sessions at the GaETC Technology Conference that provided everyone with a better understanding of what is involved in working with video, digital cameras and with students (Making Movie Magic, Camcorder 101, and Audio for Media Production).  Curchy showed how video equipment can be utilized for more than just filming friends but for educational uses and data collection.  Of course the fun part can come from the editing.

Video is an awesome resource involving many students who work for a collaborative end, and involves many disciplines.  From writing the original script, filming and directing, to the final production and editing everything together.  Everyone can get their hands on it.  The finished product then is something students can take pride in and show to friends and family.

I enjoyed the many resources and ideas presented by the authors.  Their earlier sessions were aimed at individuals with an interest in video but with no background.  Gradually they brought in more techniques, options and curriculum that could be used. They made available information on their website and also illustrated numerous techniques involving storyboarding, scriptwriting, pre-production and post-production.   Although having Universal Studios Orlando in their backyard gave them an unfair advantage when it came to sets.

The authors weren’t afraid to describe their mistakes along with their successes.  Perhaps most intriguing was their storyboard software.  When anyone looks at the minute by minute detail a storyboard covers, it is no wonder it’s often overlooked or ignored by students.  But with Curchy and Kyker’s software they showed how easy it was to create a shot by shot sequential storyline in just a few minutes, complete with actual scouting photos of landscapes or buildings.

What was most enjoyable was seeing the truly creative side of students being exposed (we also see what influences them).  The authors showed how with just a few basic rules, students can be turned loose with a video camera and a script to create some very innovative storytelling or even a timed scavenger hunt on campus. Videography can be more than just an academic lesson on the mechanics of filming, or planning, or producing, but instead it quickly takes on a creative life form of its own.  Given a collaborative atmosphere students can do some pretty amazing things.

Although Hollywood spends millions of dollars on even a short movie, the authors explained how anyone can get into the movie business for under a $1000.  Some equipment is needed to be purchased but with the affordability of hardware always on the decline some really reasonable equipment can be purchased.  To get started they suggested at a minimum, a DV Camera, some blank tapes, a tripod, and a spare battery.  Both Apple and a Windows PC have the software necessary to edit and produce a video of reasonably professional quality.

Students, especially middle school ones, always have an opinion on something.  At the very least they love to parody the famous and absurd.  Our school’s art department began the year with three digital cameras and along with some simple production methods and two new Dell Optiplex computers they were able to create several stop action videos (although most of their topics involved death and/or violence).  Next year we hope to purchase some of the suggested video equipment and work with the art department to develop some creative videos.  The Microsoft Movie Maker software will be a good start and provide students with some hands on experience involving editing, producing, and creating a final product.  Burned to a DVD, these total student creations will be an impressive gift for parents and contain great memories of those middle school years.

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