Video Project Gives Filmmakers Authentic Experience
If you saw the ASCEND video created by students in the Grade 7 documentary film class, you already know they did an amazing job capturing the excitement on campus this year. What you might not know is that hours of work went into creating the 2.5 minute film. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at the process and student learning that took place from October to January of the 2015-16 school year.
If you saw the ASCEND video created by students in the Grade 7 documentary film class, you already know they did an amazing job capturing the excitement on campus this year. What you might not know is that hours of work went into creating the 2.5 minute film. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at the process and student learning that took place from October to January of the 2015-16 school year.
October 2015
Teacher Dan O’Neill gave his blessing for members of the communications and development teams to present the class with a real-world assignment: create a video from the student perspective that shows what kids think about the incredible changes happening at Graland.
“I loved giving them this opportunity for hands-on, experiential learning,” said Dan. “They are such consumers of media, now they have the chance to be the creators of content.”
With the objectives laid out and full creative license, six boys stepped forward to put their talents and skills to work for Graland.
“I’m excited to come back to Graland in 10 years,” co-director Weston Wolkov said. “I’ll see the building and know I was part of the video that made it happen. It’s going to be hard and a lot of work, but also fun to work with my friends and make something we can be proud of.”
Later in October, in a pitch to their “clients,” the filmmakers shared initial thoughts for the footage, music, interviews and film techniques they hoped to include. After getting feedback on their ideas, the crew was off to design storyboards and learn to use the school’s filmmaking equipment, including the drone camera.
“I think this will be a great experience,” shared co-director Patrick Frankel. “The challenge will be to make it long enough but not too long, and to keep the audience’s interest to the end.”
November & December 2015
Filmmakers devoted class time to the video throughout the fall. They filmed students from all parts of campus and interviewed Ronni McCaffrey, Head of School.
“We mostly worked with the natural light,” said Nick Mayer, cameraman. “You can tell we messed up in some parts but we found out how important it is to have the light source in front of the person instead of behind.
“Before this project, I didn’t know much about how to operate a video camera except to turn it on and off. Now I know how to enhance the lighting using different settings.”
His partner, cameraman Sean Mahoney, added: “We also studied different angles for filming by watching movie trailers. We learned how to focus on a certain point and fit the subject into the frame.”
As the vision for the video came together, the team continued to hone its skills, spending hours at the editing bay in the Digital Media Studio to match footage to voiceover and to shave the running time.
“The students have some great ideas for keeping the action moving,” said Karyn Huberman, director of marketing and communications. “I can’t wait to see how they use the drone footage and to hear what other students have to say about the ASCEND campaign.”
January 2016
With the video 95 percent complete, students sat down in the Digital Media Studio to screen the cut with Graland staff. The reactions were universally positive.
“I was impressed by the level of professionalism that they took in their approach to the video,” said Amy Silver, visual communications coordinator. “They were able to take the project from initial ideas to a very high-quality end product.”
At the January screening, students learned that the development office had selected their ASCEND video to use as part of a community-wide Valentine’s Day message.
“It’s exciting to share student work with our community,” said Kristin Weber, associate director of development. “We felt this was a very authentic presentation and the filmmakers’ hard work really showed.”
Editor Jeb Brown says, “When I found out that parents and students would see the video, I was excited and wanted to do well. I’m really proud of everything about it.”
Although Valentine’s Day is behind us, the video is not yet ready for the archives. Middle schoolers will view it at a student film festival in May and Mr. O’Neill plans to use the footage as a teaching tool for next year’s documentary filmmaking students.
“Storyboarding was the biggest challenge. Everyone had a lot of ideas, and at first we had trouble working as a team. But through the whole process we got to know each other better and started to work together really well.” ~ Christopher Song, drone pilot
Special thanks to Ben Hawley, Grade 7, for lending his voice-over talent to the video.
Graland Country Day School
Graland Country Day School is a private school in Denver, Colorado, serving students in preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school. Founded in Denver in 1927, Graland incorporates a rich, experiential learning approach in a traditional classroom setting, emphasizing the development of globally and socially conscious leaders who excel academically.
