Course Description:
China Blue, Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars, Third Monday in October -- movies that have all been big hits at The Marin School over the past couple of years. What do they have in common? They’re about issues that have social impact, newsworthiness and strong human interest. They were made skillfully by film-makers who cared deeply about their subjects, who investigated tough, complicated stories and put a human face on the issues.
You too can make a movie like that. The intersession on migrant labor will include the production of a video documentary about the issue. In the 21st century global economy, migrant labor is a big story, with a potential audience for our documentary locally, around the state, nationally and even internationally. You don’t have to be a spectator on this issue, simply reading and talking about it. Instead you can report on and be a part of the global conversation on one of the big issues of our time.
What I Can Expect To Learn?
How to make a real movie!
What makes a movie successful? Is it about something interesting and important? Does it hold the viewer’s attention by informing and entertaining? Do the film-makers use a strong storytelling strategy and technical skills. All of those are important, and this intersession will provide a chance to learn those skills, or improve those you already have, by working on an actual film production, from planning, through shooting, to editing and screening.
After shooting our documentary we will try to edit it in time to show at the TMS Filmbridge Festival in early May, plus create DVDs and perhaps upload it to Youtube. Even if you don’t want to be a career film-maker, an increasing number of careers require some film-making, editing and journalistic skills as we enter the “information age.” Making a great documentary will give you something to show, not just tell about, when you’re putting together those college applications and looking for interesting jobs, plus give you the satisfaction of having done something real in a way the whole world can see.
Faculty Leaders: Kieran, Matt, Marie
Schedule of Activities
Monday, 4/12
- Film Crew shooting on location/ Production Crew editing at TMS
Tues, 4/13
- Film Crew shooting on location/ Production Crew editing at TMS
Wed, 4/14
- Film Crew shooting on location/ Production Crew editing at TMS
Thurs, 4/15
- Film Crew shooting on location/ Production Crew editing at TMS
Fri, 4/16
- AM: Work on presentations at school
- PM: Group presentations to all students