Filmmaking Program Teaches Valuable Lesson

Filmmaking Program at St. Louis the King Teaches Valuable Lesson While Enhancing Student Skills

ST. LOUIS, MO. December 10, 2013– NativityMiguel students at St. Louis the King School at the Cathedral are learning the art of filmmaking and enjoying the experience.

“Today we are learning how to write a short skit script. It is fun, but my favorite assignment is improv(isation),” said Jared Scott, an 8th grader.

Taught by Gus Robinson Jr., the filmmaking program is taught over the course of 16 weeks to all middle school students in the Access Academy.

“Each grade is making their own anti-bullying video while learning the entire process of film making,â” said Robinson.

Included in the instruction is video shooting (camera holding and positioning), designing storyboards, writing scripts, producing video (directing), transferring video files, editing and formatting, downloading and adding music, and video transitioning.

“My goal is to teach students how to create videos that share a positive and healthy message. All too often personal and recreational videos are lacking in this regard,” added Robinson.

At St. Louis the King, NativityMiguel students are learning how bullying affects children, and are creating their own anti-bullying message to share with their classmates and friends.

Jared Scott was hard at work writing on the day’s short skit script assignment, which required students to create a learning situation on either preventing bullying or stopping bullying as it was occurring. The skit required characters (a bully and a person being bullied), a scene, and a list of classmates who Scott felt would be good actors in the roles.

“My character’s name is “Robert” and he is real smart. He is in math class and says something smart when “AJ” coughs ‘nerd’, making the class laugh. I am having Robert tell AJ how that makes him feel,” said Scott, writing intently, barely looking up from his paper.

“I focus on letting the kids express their creativity, especially in writing. After we go over it together to see if their decision is right or wrong, and why,” said Robinson.

The filmmaking program is taught three days a week at St. Louis the King School at the Cathedral. At the end of the 16 week session, each grade will have created a 5-10 minute anti-bullying video. For more information regarding this release, please contact Julie Linder, Public Relations for Access Academies, by calling (573) 268-0639.

For a printable copy of the release, please click here.Â

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Pictured: Gus Robinson Jr. and Jared Scott working together during a review of the student-made anti-bullying video introduction.