Reading and Writing Film.
Film making is a language Let’s teach kids to read and write it fluently.
After seeing Avatar: The Way of Water recently, we were thrown by the frame rates jumping from 24fps to 48fps and back depending on the scene. We looked on Twitter after to see if anyone else found it grating. “It’s like a visual stutter James, stop it.” was one that stood out. The New York Times jumped in too (If you hit the NYT paywall here’s a reddit discussion).
The main complaint was about our ability to read the film fluently, and Cameron’s ability to speak to our eyes fluently. What if an author could force you to read their book at a rate you are not comfortable with? Without your permission? It would come on stronger than the storytelling. Yes?
Which raises the issue of how a film is read like a text. Our eyes and our minds are trying to make meaning out of all these symbols, and there are things authors do to try and help us understand.
Film is a language with syntax, grammar and sentences?
Ways movies have similarities to text-based language:
Shots and sentences: Just as sentences are made up of words and punctuation, films are made up of shots and cuts. These shots can be used to convey meaning, just as words and punctuation do in a sentence. For example, a close-up shot of a character's face shouting can convey emotion, just as the use of exclamation marks or capital letters can in a sentence.
Transitions and conjunctions: Transitions in film, such as fades, wipes, and cross dissolves, can be used to connect shots and create a flow between them, similar to how conjunctions connect words and clauses in a sentence. For example, a fade to black can indicate a passage of time, similar to how the conjunction "after" connects two clauses in a sentence.
Pacing and punctuation: The use of different shot lengths, camera angles, and movement can affect the pacing of a film, similar to how punctuation affects the pacing of a sentence. For example, a montage of fast-paced shots can create a sense of urgency, similar to how multiple exclamation marks can create a sense of urgency in a sentence.
To get insanely granular, the “cut” can be the equivalent of a comma. By cutting at the right moment and on the right action, it creates a sense of continuity and builds meaning through juxtaposition. In "2001: A Space Odyssey" a famous “cut” is from an ape-like humanoid throwing a bone into the air. Then a “match cut” shows a bone-shaped spaceship orbiting the earth. The idea of a bone-as-hammer being as revolutionary as space travel is delivered in one visual sentence with one “match cut”, or ‘comma’.
Why dive so deep into this idea? Text and film are in the business of making meaning. If you put the comma in the wrong place it is can change the meaning of everything. 'Let's eat, grandma' vs 'Let's eat grandma.' implies a meal with grandma, rather than a meal of grandma. A comma, such a tiny addition, can change the entire arc of the story. So can a cut.
Pulling back to the 30,000 foot level. Is making meaning with the language of sound and motion LIteracy 2.0?
Who is teaching the language and grammar of visual communication to kids? Or maybe a better question is: in the 24/7 streaming video world in which we live, what are the risks of NOT teaching media-making skills as Literacy 2.0?:
Risk #1. Film can be more persuasive than text on a page due to its ability to use visual elements, sound, and movement to convey meaning, evoke emotion, and create impact.
Risk #2. Film's use of visual grammar and syntax is invisble to the untrained eye. Unlike punctuation and grammar on a page, visual persuasion does not work with obvious cues. Tone, pacing, color, jump cuts etc., all enter the brainstem like a fire hose with passive viewers.
Risk #3. Show, don't tell: In film, the audience can see the message being conveyed through actions and imagery, rather than just read exposition or dialogue. This allows for a more immersive and convincing experience.
Risk #4. Multi-sensory: Film uses a combination of visual, auditory, and sometimes even tactile elements to create a more immersive and engaging experience for the audience. More inputs, more impact.
And yet, and YET, one hundred percent of our education in early grades is exclusively teaching kids how to create and share meaning with text ONLY?
Okay, drawing is a way of making meaning too, but kids are not tested by the state on their visual thinking skills.
Think about it. Kids are reading screens umpteen times as much as they are reading books. We are not against books, they are essential. Every movie begins and is approved via text on a page before one scene is shot. Writing in text for meaning and understanding is critical.
We drop the ball in education by not extending our children’s literacy skills into the realm of visual and aural communication. It is a painful fact that books are a blip on the radar in their world. The most persuasive and impactful media is delivered through sound and motion.
What if we modeled acquisition of the grammar, syntax and language of film on how we learn to read and write? What would that look like?
It would look like learning about long shots, medium shots and cloese-ups and how to sequence them into storyboards and plots, It would look like designing characters for the plots. It would look like writing and timing out dialogue to fit the scenes and shots on a storyboard. It would look like predicting the match of frames per second and spacing and timing to bring the characters to life. It would look like re-sequencing during the edit to refine the rough cut. It would look like acting out a voice and sound effects track to match the emotion of the film. Etc.
It would look like Literacy 2.0!
They would have all sorts of options open to them as digital citizens. Every organization is a media company now. What if architects, doctors, accountants, and lawyers had a working knowledge of media production skills? Would they be more employable, communicate more effectively?
LinkedIn lists video production skills as a top 10 most searched for skill.
Does animation and film making and video production still look like a nice extra? Go on Youtube. Search any subject under the sun and a video will pop up. Someone had to be Literate 2.0 to make that happen.
Can we afford to sit around and let kids progress through school without intersecting with tech early and often?
Good news is that we have done this. We have taught over 20k kids how to make movies. Again….
We. Have. Done. This.
We have slowed it all down to one frame at a time. Step-by-step they learn the syntax of the screen. Following our stop motion animation lessons allows non-film maker guides to take baby steps with their young Padawans. Letters to words, words to sentences, etc.
Learn by doing. They never forget. They want to skip recess to do this. This form of communication is the coin of their realm, and the teachers and media specialists who show them the way are mentors on their hero’s journey.
Educators who get this give their kids media making superpowers.
We don’t teach kids media skills because we want them all to be James Cameron, we teach them because it gives them options on a host of paths in their future.
We’ve been on this path with a few renegades for a few years now. Many of them have agreed to share their testimonials below.
Join us in changing the face of education.
Think about it.
Bon Animate!
The Team at Animating Kids.
Testimonials:
"I never thought I'd be able to teach media production in my classroom, but Animating Kids has made it so easy. It's like having a film school disguised as fun stop motion experiments. My students are having a blast and learning so much at the same time. And with the pre-planned lessons and project-based learning model, I don't have to spend hours preparing for class. It's a win-win!" - Rachel, 4th Grade Teacher
"I am always on the lookout for new resources to help my students learn visual literacy and media production skills. Animating Kids has exceeded my expectations in every way. And at less than a dollar per student in our building, it's an absolute steal. I'm trying to get my whole district to buy in!" - Michael, Middle School Science Teacher
"I have to admit, I was a bit skeptical. But after using the platform for a few months, I am a total convert. The group-based, project-based learning model has been a perfect fit, and the lessons and step-by -step video training have made it so easy to teach in a comprehensive way. Plus, with the scaffolded approach, I can easily customize the curriculum to meet the needs of my K-8 students. Animating Kids is a must-have for any media-savvy educator!" - Ryan, District Media Specialist
"My students are constantly coming up with creative ideas and bringing them to life. And with the great customer service and professional development resources, I've been able to improve my own media production skills to the point of looking like a genius. Animating Kids is a total no-brainer!" - Emily, 3rd Grade Teacher
"Instead of winging it, I now have an entire system for teaching media skills to my K-8 students. And the best part is, my students are loving it! They are constantly amazed by the things they are able to create, and it's been a great way to engage them in the learning process." - Ed, Elementary Media Specialist
"Our school has been using Animating Kids for the past year, and it has been a huge success. It is easy to use and allows for different levels of engagement for my media mavens. We have used the program for writing, reading and math lessons, and my students have loved sharing all the roles in creating new media projects!" - Alana, Middle School Media Director
"We have used this in our classroom as a way to teach sequencing, as well as a way to create and tell stories through still images and word balloons. I love that the program is simple for them to use, and there are so many options for me to be creative with the story telling process. - Katie, 1st Grade Teacher
"Animating Kids has changed the way I teach media production. I have been able to mix up film making skills with animation skills, social media skills, and communication skills for my students. It has enabled me to differentiate my lessons and made them fun for all of my students." Dakwan, High School After School Teacher
"A great program for students to learn life skills and team building. It teaches them how to be creative and how to express their ideas. I appreciate that it walks students through a step-by-step process to create a movie from start to finish." - Stephanie, Middle School Art Teacher
"Great practice in film making skills, including script writing, story boarding and animation. Allows teachers to create their own sequence of assignments. I add almost unlimited questions, videos and links to the mix to get my students brains spinning." - Kevin, High School Media Arts Lab Guru
"This platform offers an easy-to-use interface and great customer service. The students have loved working on animation projects and are always asking for more. We are on our third year, and it keep revealing ways to streamline the process" - Janice, 6th Grade Teacher
"Animating Kids inspires creativity and confidence in my students. They are able to learn media production skills in a learning-by-doing environment.Skin in the game!" Jeff, 4th Grade Teacher
"Animating Kids is a great way to get students excited about video production and allow them to learn skills they can transfer over to their off campus life. We don't have to force them to participate. They line up for these classes." - Bridgette, Middle School /High School Media Specialist
"Whether you are a film teacher, an art teacher, STEM teacher, or just someone who enjoys making films, Animating Kids makes the process easier for you and your students. The Animation Chefs cooking show idea is genius. it is all turn-key, out of the box ready. Although there is no box!" - Adrian, Site Administrator
"The program is so well thought out and easy to use. Our whole building is developing he skills and the confidence to tackle their own ideas. They know how to navigate, collaborate and create, and Animating Kids respects that. It actually assumes they are media savvy, yet gives them the concepts in a way that helps them to stay organized." - Ms. Tuttle, Principal
"Great for the classroom because it helps students develop an appreciation for creativity and storytelling. Animated videos seem to be one of the best ways to engage students in learning. Any subject matter is game. And they remember their movies forever. One student did a movie on chemical catalysts in 2nd grade and in 6th grade they can rehearse the same concept at the drop of a hat. Amazing impact!" - Mr. Nelson, Principal
"...has a flow to it where I can see the big picture while we're working on any smaller piece. 1. It gives me the chance to supervise from the 30,000 foot level. 2. I can be the only adult in the room, because the kids are so engaged." - Mr Thoma, 4th Grade Teacher
"The way I see it, if you're not making movies when you're a kid, then you're doing something wrong. Animating Kids puts top-spin on the process." - Joe, Curriculum Specialist
"My students have been working on a stop-motion film since the beginning of the school year and they're definitely in love with it. They always look at me with excitement, eager for me to see what they've created. I would definitely recommend Animating Kids to any teacher looking to engage his/her students in a fun, relevant and creative way." Amber, 7th Grade Teacher