ALA October 7, at ALA

Today's objective centered around the creation of a short animated film. The purpose of the filmmaking was threefold. First, the students were going to become familiar with the ideas behind mask making for MINDFEST - the ideas of transforming into something new and creative. Second, the students who had been to the summer institutes were able to help instruct their classmates on the usage of the cameras and filmmaking software. Third, the students will be introduced to the idea of how to tell an interesting story, a precursor to the second cycle of material. THere were 8 students tonight - a few were home sick from school. It seems like we are going to have about equal numbers of kids on each away night that will be able to work. I set up the software and cameras on te machines in the ALA computer lab, and Gabe and I talked to the students about what the cycles looked like after mindfest, as well as the returning students' role in beginning to work on the floor at the museum. After that discussion, i explained to the students that they would be making short animated films, but with a twist. I explained the face paints to them, and how they were each expected to undergo a transformation on film. The transformation challenge was set at a time of 30 seconds of film. The time was set so the students would have to consciously think about what to draw and paint, and then be able to visualize their creativity on film. The students were randomly paired, with a student who knew the software paired with one who did not, so that there would be a little teaching going on between them as well. THe films that were created were immensely interesting, and some of the students went above and beyond the challenge by actually using their transformations to tell a story or two. I discussed this idea of how to tell an interesting story with many of the students individually, asking them questions like "what was difficult about making these films 30 seconds long?" and "is there anything you can think of that would have made it easier for you to film?" A few of the students were reminded of the storyboarding we did this summer, and hopefully they will remember the processes when the second cycle begins. The same activity will be done on tuesday, and i'm hoping that the students will not tell the ones who haven't done this yet - i have asked them to keep it a secret so it will be a surprise to the others. I want to see how creative they are on the spot.
(Nick and I both had a transformation done to ourselves to show the kids how things could be done - and to show them that we are willing to do it all too!)
Jonathon