Grades 7/8: Film Screening Showcases Student Talent
At a middle school assembly on Tuesday, student filmmakers demonstrated their skills in using camera angles, lighting, sound, the green screen, film editing, script writing, directing, acting and more when they presented six short films ranging from mysteries to a newscast to crime dramas.
At a middle school assembly on Tuesday, student filmmakers demonstrated their skills in using camera angles, lighting, sound, the green screen, film editing, script writing, directing, acting and more when they presented six short films ranging from mysteries to a newscast to crime dramas.
In one film, Robin Hood Casino, a teenage computer expert is blackmailed into pulling off a gambling scam. After the successful heist, he uses the payout to make generous gifts to people in need, including a homeless person. The bloopers that followed the film were especially entertaining and showed how much the students enjoyed themselves during the filmmaking process.
Seventh graders Sama Abdulameer and Mitera Maurelli made a documentary about all the great benefits of working at and attending Graland, titling their piece, What Do We Get at Graland?
“We both came to Graland last year from public schools,” explains Mitera. “We interviewed teachers, administrators and kids to share some of the ways independent school is different than public school.”
Editing their footage was the most challenging part of the filmmaking process, the girls agree.
“It wasn’t easy, but it was the most fun,” shares Sama. “We learned by watching tutorials and by doing it and making mistakes. It was overwhelming at first but we discovered we both have a passion for film editing. The effort was worth it when we saw the final result.”
Filmmaking teacher Mr. O’Neill’s teaching style allows students to take ownership of their learning, according to Mitera. “He lets us think of ideas for what we want to do, and then guides us in discovering how to make it happen.”
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.
