Page 149 - Resources and Support for the Online Educator

Filmmaking and Screenwriting 107

For more sources of inspiration, try the Anatomy of a Scene video series
from The New York Times. Found on the newspaper’s website, the series
presents analysis of current movies by having a film’s director or producer
talk through a scene and the decisions behind it. These short clips showcase
types of shots, locations, special effects, and lighting and sound choices.
The Anatomy of a Scene videos are helpful models and teaching tools for stu -
dents to craft their own films and borrow film techniques from filmmakers
today. Using movies as a teaching tool helps students grasp various concepts
and ideas. Think about how you can use movie clips to help teach point of
view, structure, and more.

Documentary Films

Researching to build knowledge is also a core skill, and creating documentary
films is a creative way to give students practice. Writing different text types
and for different purposes is a requirement for students to be college and
career ready. When I came across the Op-Docs, short documentary videos on
The New York Times website, I knew I had stumbled on a teaching tool gem.
As its website states, Op-Docs are “documentaries, most under 15 minutes,
that touch on issues like race and gender identity; technology and society;
civil rights; criminal justice; ethics; and artistic and scientific exploration”
(2018). These short films showcase aspects of life that are hidden or unspoken.
For instance, San Quentin’s Giants is an intriguing documentary about the
San Quentin prison baseball team that showcases how baseball is a vehicle
for reform, reflection, and purpose for the players. Whereas San Quentin uses
storytelling and interviews, the Op-Doc A Conversation About Race features
individuals talking about race and racism. This documentary can be used as a
catalyst for classroom discussion or a project: What would this same conversa- San Quentin’s
tion look and sound like in school from the students’ perspectives? Giants

After watching a number of these Op-Docs with my students and discussing
the research and filming elements involved, I ask students to research and in-
vestigate the issues that are worth shedding light on. Some students addressed
bullying, whereas another group researched video game playing and addiction

Excerpted from Chapter 6, “Real-World Writing: Writing Skills to Succeed Beyond School.”

New Realms for Writing: Inspire Student Expression with Digital Age Formats 149