What's included
1 live meeting
45 mins in-class hours per weekHomework
1-2 hours per week. (Optional Assignment) Find another film created by the same director, producer, or screenwriter, and watch it. Compare that film to the one we discussed today. And as always, recommend this movie to the person you said would enjoy it at the end of class!Class Experience
This weekly "Movie Club" is geared toward our movie fans in their teenage years! Going to a movie theater can be difficult these days, if not impossible. So join your Outschool friends, and myself, as we explore the world of cinema and dive into constructive and critical film analysis. Our films will range as we explore different genres each month (from action to documentary to musical theatre), different decades (from the 1920's to today), and different themes! Students will develop a new appreciation for movies by being critical, observant, and openminded. Some weeks, I will choose the film to watch, and other weeks, I will encourage students to choose one. Each month's genre theme is listed below. January: Musicals February: Action/Adventure March: Animation April: Drama May: Comedies June: Cinema Classics (pre 1970s) July: Sci-Fi August: Academy Award Winners September: Documentaries October: Thrillers November: Foreign Language December: Movies that came out this past year Our class will largely be a student-led discussion. Some of the questions/topics we will cover may include: - Analyzing the overall theme and message of the film and whether or not the class agrees upon it - Imagining questions or comments that one may give the screenwriter or producer - Comparisons between the plot and personal experiences in each student's life - Consistency and credibility among characters and storyline - Identifying what the subplot is and how it moves the main plot along As an active Production Manager in the film industry, I will also provide my own input and knowledge about the production. We will discuss box office statistics, similar works of cinematic art, and think about the creative steps involved in producing each film. I will always do extensive research prior to each movie to provide the most up to date information, bloopers, and fun facts for each class. Class Structure: I will teach a lecture for the first 20 minutes about how the movie was created and interesting facts about it. Next, we will play a fun trivia kahoot game to see how closely students were paying attention to the plot. For the remainder of class, I will give students a chance to discuss their overall thoughts on the movie and why they did or did not like it, and answer questions they may have. Discussions will be informal but very focused. In order for this class to succeed, we will need active participation, critical thinking, and an openminded thought process. Cinema is a form of art. There are rarely wrong answers. I look forward to our discussions together. See you at the movies! My Classroom Policies are listed on my teacher profile page. Please message me with any questions or to schedule this class at a different time!
Learning Goals
Students will be able to identify and analyze each film's message and theme. They will use critical thinking and peer discussion to critique the characters, plot, and overall success of the film. They will draw comparisons between the film and their own life experiences. Using my help and prior background production knowledge, they will understand basic box office statistics, learn about similar films that they may be interested in viewing, and gain behind the scenes knowledge on certain aspects of the production. They will learn to evaluate and enjoy films in a brand new way.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Many movies that we watch will be rated PG13, and some may be rated R. Please feel free to review the movies ahead of time, or message me if there are any concerns. If you are not comfortable with your child watching a particular film, you are welcome to skip that week's class.
Supply List
Students will be required to watch the movies prior to class. These movies should be available on a number of streaming platforms. I also include a running list of what movies to expect in the coming weeks, which gives families ample time to find and watch each movie.
Language of Instruction
English
Teacher expertise and credentials
Bachelor's Degree in Music or Theatre or Arts from Westminster College
As a ten year veteran of the entertainment industry, and film afficionado, I have worked on over 30 productions in my career. I have made my own documentaries, worked inside a newsroom, and as production and development coordinator for the National Geographic Channel! Currently I work as a Production Manager for the largest film studio on the East Coast. My career has given me inside access to productions in all of their stages, and I am eager to share this information with my students.
Reviews
Live Group Class
$12
weekly1x per week
45 min
Completed by 68 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 13-18
2-9 learners per class