I am going to be helping a small group of teenagers make a film. I start next Tuesday and just quietly, I am shitting myself.
This is where I tell myself to breathe and write the post out properly, so that you know what I am talking about in order to be able to virtually hold my hand.
I am unable to write about where I will be as these kids don’t fit into the mainstream school system and I don’t want to breach anyone’s privacy.
I had been approached as a ceramic artist to go into the city and mentor some kids. The idea was that we would throw some clay around and just have some fun. During the course of the interview I mentioned that I had just finished making a short three minute film. The interviewer was very interested in my fledgling film making abilities and asked me if I could help the kids make a documentary.
Of course I said yes, no worries I could do that. As long as he understood that my film making skills were very basic and that I really had no idea what I was doing apart from grabbing some vision, banging it together in some sort of order and adding some sound to it. We talked some more and decided to wait until I had completed a short course at the polytechnic on basic film editing and sound design.
I have completed the short course. I have made another 30 second film. And now I am going to be taking my very shaky skills into the city and helping some kids put together a documentary.
Commence hand holding now, internet.
This all sounds very nice in theory.
Easy peasy in fact.
Except for a few minor details.
My main objective here is to give these kids a voice through art. I want these kids to be able to continue using their voices after I have left.
I am used to working with a Mac for video editing purposes, though I do sort of know my way around Windows Movie Maker as well. The kids have individual laptops and there is one iMac I can use.
Do I try and make a collaborative 3 minute documentary using iMovie or do I try and muddle through using moviemaker with the kids using their laptops and suggest a one minute doco each?
I am only there with the kids for an hour and a half each week and my initial plan is to take in a selection of super short docos each with a different style of film making and share these films first.I am going to ask the kids to watch the films as potential film makers not as viewers. We will talk about camera angles and sound and that sort of stuff. I think that will be the first session covered.
I plan on finishing the first session by asking them to think about their ideas during the coming week. The second session together we can begin to storyboard and then I will play it by ear from there on.
I am worried that my film making skills are seriously basic. I have good ideas, but I still need to refer to my notes constantly. I wont be going in there and pretending I am anything other than what I am. I have told the head teacher that I don’t really have a clue what I am doing and he seems to be fine with my cluelessness. I must give off an aura of capability or something. Or maybe he was just dazzled by my bright purple hair and the way I wave my arms around a lot when I am talking?
What do you reckon internet?
Any helpful hints?
Comments on this entry are closed.
you will be fabulous………hang in there.
consider your hands held.
Thankyou Pixie 🙂
I am a virgin in this area so I am afraid no helpful hints. Except perhaps I imagine that techno savvy teenagers may well have a pretty good idea already how to do all this stuff, so perhaps let them know you need their help and you are there for the arty stuff! They will respect you for asking and also you can help them by showing them how to put their suggestions together in a sensible fashion. As their ideas may come together in a chaotic fashion. Good luck and believe in yourself. I do understand the extreme nerves side of this task. Good luck. By the way, I am not stalking you I was on another blog (Rusty Hoe) and it came up that you had just blogged!
That is what I was thinking as well Achelois, If we do it on the moviemaker platform I can be honest and say my skills are a bit shaky and just show them the basics. It isn’t as if we are going to be making a Spielberg epic. And I am indignant woman you SHOULD be stalking me. 🙂
Breathe, and just be you. They are probably looking for someone the kids can relate to, more than a whiz bang I know everything movie person. And DAMN GIRL you are relatable. (is that a word even? Blergh, you know what I mean).
Your compassion, and ability to see PAST the outer person is what makes you a good mentor. You are one of those rare people who can find something good in everyone and nuture that.
Its one of the reasons I love you pseudo internet mum.
Thank you Zelda 🙂 you have made me smile and I might just have something in my eye 🙂 xox
my work here is done then!!!
It will be fun and exciting for you! I work with ‘disengaged teenagers’ also. Yes they are a challenge, but it’s so rewarding. It’s the kind of project that keeps me thinking on my feet and coming up with new ideas all the time. I love it. Please feel free to privately email me if you want to have a conversation about it:).
I reckon (IMHO) get to know them, build a relationship and they they will follow you anywhere. Learn together. It’s good to have a plan but don’t be too attached to it.
🙂 So exciting! Enjoy
I think it’s awesome that you have this opportunity and that you are willing to give yourself to these lucky kids.
Thanks Joh, my friend is also a mentor there so I will have “on ground” support from someone I have known for nearly 30 years. I was thinking along the same lines as you, I like to have a fairly structured idea of what I want to do. I am a planner. But I am also very flexible. I am seriously excited as well as terrified. Thanks heaps for the comment 🙂
you’re not there to be a hotshot film maker or to turn these people into filmmakers; you’re there to help them turn into themselves. i reckon you might have some experience in this area.
if it were me i’d get them all to make their own video. after all, their own point of view is probably something they haven’t been encouraged to share in the past – this will provide opportunities for them to experience and learn about perspective, world views, communication etc.
get them to look for and try different tools, experiment, try, fail, succeed and learn that the most important of these is to follow your muse, try things out, get feedback and keep going. that’s a generic life orientation that’s much more worthwhile to learn than how to make a 1 minute video PERFECTLY.
the main outcome you need to be looking for is engagement – with you, with each other and with the process. some of them might already have skills in different aspects of iMovie or moviemaker or one of the online sites that allow you to create multimedia content. if so – even better – this allows them to share their own competence with each other. nothing worse than a teacher that insists on being the “knower” of everything, don’t you agree?
your lack of cinematography skills is a PLUS in this situation. you get to model what it’s like not to be an expert in an area but still give it a go. your expertise in the area that (i personally think) is the most important aspect is there – camera angles, point of view, panning, storyboarding, storytelling etc. do you really think they need Cecil B De Mille here?! or is in-focus, interesting camera angles and good story telling enough for now?
your nervousness says more about how you’re framing this situation than the task itself. you may be feeling like someone will “find you out” – that you’re not a film teacher. don’t worry about this. they’re not employing you to be a film teacher. they’re employing you to be an insightful, accepting adult person who’ll work in a way with these kids that’s respectful, open ended, trustworthy and motivating.
the “aura of capability” that the head teacher has noticed is correct however you’ve misdiagnosed what s/he’s seeing. you clearly have the “capability” to be compassionate/tender, work with young and/or marginalised people, be comfortable with chaos/uncertainty, take risks and learn new things and i think you’ll find that that’s the only stuff you’ll need.
if you’re lucky you’ll get to learn a bit about why they don’t “fit in”, share a bit about how that looks from age 50 and perhaps help them work out which bits to lose and which bits to cultivate. they’re probably in alot of pain. adults like you are exactly what they need cos you won’t DO THINGS TO THEM (like counsel them or probe or judge) – you’ll accept them and that’s priceless at any age/life situation.
good luck.
rose
You are right Rose, thanks heaps for this comment. 🙂
And oi woman I am only 45.
lol!
I don’t think it will matter much exactly what you do or how you do it… I know as a teenager just being given the chance to have a voice, to be listened to and respected, that was a huge thing. An even huger (yes that is so a word) thing if you are outside of the mainstream I expect.
Take a deep breath and then go and create together!
I hear you Kate, I hear you.I remember how it felt to be a teenager and to not be listened to, to have my opinions disregarded as not having any worth.
I also reckon it will be heaps of fun. I am just overthinking as per usual and stressing about the details.
I would give them the choice. Without knowing the group dynamics and how well they know each other it’s really hard to make that call, so offer them the option of doing their own or working together. Try to have groups no larger than 3 because it just gets very chaotic and hard for them to manage – pairs are much better.
Better to experience doing everything yourself than just do one small part, even if you do it very well. And with a large group you will need someone to take on the ‘Director’ role and unless one of them is a natural it will probably end up being you.
Not knowing is not an issue, the first thing to teach on any computer application is how to use ‘Help.’ But do check your technical stuff before you go in – last time I did video with a group the school video cameras recorded in the wrong format for Movie Maker and I had to find and download a converter then v e r y s l o w l y convert everything. Wasted lesson and predictably chaotic.
Don’t be afraid to give them the cameras straight after you watch the examples before you talk about anything with them. Sometimes it’s easier to learn about things with your own examples and experience. And while I personally like to storyboard everything, most kids need some experience seeing how scenes work before they can do that – they do better with a rough plan and shoot lots of things, then actually put it together and see what works and what doesn’t then go back and fill in the gaps.
Basically – let them experiment a lot and they’ll learn a lot more than anything you try to ‘teach’ them. You’ll be great.
Thanks Deb I will remember your advice for sure. The group will only be 4 kids at the most I think, and I was planning on asking them how they wanted to do it. I agree with you on the giving them the camera straight away as well now that you have mentioned it. I think I just need to remember to breathe lol.
We sort of checked the equipment and as there is an iMac as well as moviemaker the camera will work on one of the platforms. But it is good to keep in mind. I also like to google tutorials for things and apparently Vimeo has some great “How To’s” for beginner filmakers. I am not sure about the internet speed at the space either so I am going to put the docos onto disc just incase.
Feel free to hold onto my hand – or both of them if you think it will help 🙂
Now, repeat after me ‘I will be fine, it will be fine, the kids will have a ball’ as needed throughout the sessions.
xox
Hi! I found this through Twitter, and it is a GREAT post-!
I think you can make this rock, and I’m willing to hold your hand if you get stuck. I taught myself iMovie a while ago, and taught my kids, too. The basics are so simple that IRS just a ton of fun to play with the edits.
If you get stuck, or some night want me to point to tutorials to remind you how simple it is, or even to show the class, I would be happy to. I think it took my kids about 30 minutes to master enough to add effects, music and more. Not bad for elementary school. Plus, I wouldn’t be surprised if someone in your class knows a little, too!
I don’t know you, but your spirit shines an adventurous light ofJoy-that alone has created works of art throughout history we still marvel at today. If you need anything, email me with iMovie Help in the subject so I know it’s you 🙂 !
Other than that-trust yourself, I know you can do it.
Thankyou 🙂
You grand, glorious, talented woman, you. You’re doing the right things – storyboard EVERYTHING. Plan as much as you can before you start shooting. And don’t worry about the tool – whichever way you go (Windows or Mac) you and your team will figure out what you need to know to stitch together your movie. Just. Do. It.
You always make me laugh Lou, I will think of your compliment on Tuesday and comport myself as a grand glorious woman should 🙂 I will steam on through the day like an on-land version of the QE2 and I won’t let self doubt enter my mind at all. And yes I will plan and be prepared but most of all I reckon we will just have fun.
If want they want is a caring and creative soul they have got it. If want they want is someone who can look at things from different angles, they have that too. If they want a non judgemental person to be with these kids they have that too. Your lesson plan sounded great, and I loved you involving the kids so early in thinking about their ideas.
If they want a tech head (which I doubt) they can go away and get one.
And I suspect you have so many hands reaching out to you now that you are having trouble doing anything.
We have more confidence in you than you do.
Thank you. I write out my self doubts here in this blog so that I can face them and then banish them. I am a ‘doer’ EC, I like to be doing, I enjoy the plannin and preparation as well but it is at 3 am when all the self doubt creeps in. I had trouble sleeping last night. But now that you have all held my hand and told me that it will be okay I know that I will be fine.
I only noticed when I got your reply. I am an idiot. I put want almost every time I meant what. I am so sorry and glad that you could interpret EC speak. Aaargh. It has not been a good day, and that just exemplifies it. And yes, you will be more than fine. The little buggers should be grateful (though that is not generally in the duty statements for little b’s).
Good luck with it. Hands held from all the way over here. I enjoy reading your blog, Thanks!
Thank you Rochelle.
I know absolutely nothing about making movies, but I’m pretty sure that if I was to hold your hands you wouldn’t be able to operate the camera. Unless your toes are super talented.
Good luck with the kids and the Doco.
heh, Thanks River. I am staring at my toes now, trying to work out just how talented they are.
I’m sorry what were saying? I was dazzled by the hair. 😛
I was saying that I have just bought a new dye called “Purple Cherry” and I am quite excited about it. 😉
Firstly, seems like we are long conga line of hand-holders now…so, yep that bit’s taken care of…now where was I?
I think that you are:
1. Bloody marvellous taking on this group of kids even before you became the movie making mama with the purple hair.
2. The kids may or may not know what they want…even when asked, so always have your plan as ‘tight/loose’ so you remain in some sort of control with process with the eventual goal of product.
3. Does the teacher/mentor help with you as well? Am asking that because when you are being the creative one, sometimes there needs to be the Go-To one, the practical one.
4. You know the payout of the room where you will do this…assuming inside. Come prepared with as many possible props, cords, power boards & more..let me tell you, a school facility never has enough.
5. Batteries, chargers, software…have those ready to rock n roll no matter what the platform.
6. Not every kid will be a visual learner, but as you know it will be best to have them all on board via some kind of story telling via some cardboard sheets, which can be physically moved around..or try having some magnets on the back of paper, if theres a whiteboard for display, and I would suggest coming in with a “plan in your head” anyway…
7. I know you are very skilled and more…and I am just giving you some “i” s to dot, and some “t”s to cross.
Look forward to hearing how it went… Love that you are doing this with these kids…
Denyse
LAYout of the room, mind you PAYout would be good too….
Thanks Denyse. I am swinging from thinking this will be fine to complete panic. I have a propensity for just “winging it” and I hope that combined with the prep I have done that my fly by the seat of my pants nature I might just be able to pull this off.
You only need to be a muse. Kids will surprise you with how much they can figure stuff out if they are motivated.
That is what I am hoping Ash. In fact that is what I am REALLY hoping.
You are awesome. And as others have said giving the kids a chance to have someone listen to them and respect their ideas is huge. Virtual hand holding available as needed but you will rock this because you are a wonderful person who cares.
Yesterday I was feeling confident. Today I am feeling panicky. Answering your comment today was a good thing for me to do because you have made me feel less panicky. Thanks Marita.
Sounds like an amazing project. Take it one step at a time – and it doesn’t matter that you need to keep referring to your notes. I’m sure the kids will come up with some awesome ideas & do a wonderful job 🙂 I look forward to hearing how it goes.
Thanks Melissa. I will only be able to write about the project in the most general of terms but after all the “virtual hand holding” and encouragement I have received here I will write about what happens.
You will be fine. See, the kids will be happy just experimenting with the whole idea of filming. Yes, do talk about angles, styles etc. And you know what, you can make both a one minute doco and a combined one. Do the one minute ones for the individual kids then, as a finale, put them together during editing and show them what can be done, because filming is also if not A LOT about editing. Other than that – pretend to know what you’re doing even if you don’t, because chances are,they are just thrilled to be able to do this with you! 🙂 xx
Thank you Norlin. Logically, I know it will be fine and it is only for an hour and a half once a week. Emotionally, I am starting to get very nervous. I can just do what I can do. 🙂
Just saw your “train train” video. Kim, you have NOTHING to be worried about. LOVED it! Very artsy and what an RMIT graduate would do – seriously!! LOVE LOVE LOVE it!
Thank you Norlin. I captured that vision on the day you and V went to the bloggers brunch. I had the White Balance on the camera set to Auto and it made everything go yellow. So I just altered all the vision to suit and Tadaa “Train Train” was born from a technical mistake on my part.
Sounds great, have fun!
I will try to Megan, Thank you.
You asked for a teacher’s perspective … here goes….
You know your stuff so relax.
Decide WHAT you need them to be able to do by the end of the course / week/ whatever and backtrack to make that happen. Break it down to small chunks. Really small chunks and let them try their skills often with each new skill they learn. (Cheat from the course outline you’ve already done as that should give you a clue to how much to do at a time). Make sure there is lots of hands on.
Also – Let them lead you…. they may want to do one doco each or they may want small groups. Small group work or pairs is usually good plan.
Give them a goal that is a bit exciting: exhibit their docos to their classmates / year level / whole school. Book an assembly time / equipment for whole school / whole year performance. Invite parents and school hierarchy.
Do you need to mark them? If so, you’ll need to do up a marking matrix (rubric) which clearly sets out what they have to do to achieve an A, B, C or D for each element you are marking.
(I can send you an example of all of this if you need – PM me with your e-mail addy).
Finally – they are teenagers. Do not take any crap from them, but treat them with respect (I know you will). But I repeat: Do. Not. Take. Crap. (Short of a behaviour management course, generally encouraging responsible choices works well).
Good luck!
Hey pack leader stop selling yourself short, you’ll be brilliant, you’re the exact person these kids need to know! Your life experience, your no airs and graces attitude will shine and they’ll realise how darn fortunate they are to know you! Have the best time Kim, it’ll be interesting to hear what you learn. HUGE HUGS 🙂