Maddie Hicks

Scenes, Sets, and Shots

12th Grade
NVAS:
VA:Cr2.3.IIIa:
Demonstrate in works of art or design how visual and material culture
defines, shapes, enhances, inhibits, and/or empowers people's lives
GLEs
1.1.C HS Level 4
Select and apply digital/computer media that demonstrate:
o Sensitivity and subtlety in use of media
o Engagement with experimentation and/or risk taking
o Informed decision making
1.3.C HS Level 4
Develop a theme through a series of original artworks that: communicates
personal ideas
o Addresses complex visual and/or conceptual ideas
o Shows imaginative, inventive approach, experimentation, risk taking,
sensitivity and/or subtlety
Goals and Rational:
The tradition of making films and videos has been developed since photography. To
make the best films we can, we must learn how cameras work. With camera
knowledge under our belts, we must also learn how lighting and scenery affect the
outcome of films.
Enduring Big Ideas:
Filmmakers, directors, editors, grips, and other film workers have perfected their
crafts through out the last hundred years. By studying their techniques, we can now
make short films in which we use their techniques.
Essential Questions:
How can the lighting change a scene?
How can camera angle change a scene?
How can subject matter change a clip?
How does clutter/lack of change a shot?
How can cuts change a short film?
Key Concepts:
Knowledge of camera function is imperative to a films success
Knowledge of editing software allows for greater film success
Lighting mood is important for story telling
Experimentation is important for understanding how to create what you
envision

Objectives:
Students will be able to
Set up lighting to project a mood
Shoot multiple set ups
Work in groups
Use basic editing techniques
Shoot, light, edit and complete short 3-5 minute film
Read lenses (lens length and quality)
Vocabulary:
Exposure: the

quantity of light or other radiation reaching a

photographic film, as determined by shutter speed and lens
aperture.
Jump cut: make an abrupt transition from one scene to another.
F-stop: a camera setting corresponding to a particular fnumber.
Aperture: a space through which light passes in an optical or
photographic instrument, esp. the variable opening by which
light enters a camera.

Lesson Vignette: 5 classes/ 1 Week

Throughout this lesson, students will learn how cameras work, how film
recording works, past techniques of film making, lighting techniques, lighting
exposure, basic editing techniques, and how to film make in groups. We will start by
reading in manual for the cameras, this is very important because it will let the
students know everything there is about the cameras they will be using. This way
they will be able to make whatever shots they need to be making without having to
come to me. If all the students have read this manual, they will become dependent
on each other. Next we will start experimenting with lighting, learning how to fake
time of day and highlight important elements. After we have filmed some, students
will work in small groups or pairs to make short 3-5 films using the elements they
have just learned.
1 class period: Discuss how cameras work. Discuss DSLR workings: how images and
sound are recorded, how to attach lenses to camera base. How to read lenses, which
lens for what. Assign first reading from camera manual.
1 class period: Talk about lighting. Show clips from the movies watched in first
lesson plan that show great uses of light. Discuss what is happening in the clips and
how the lighting is helping to tell the story. Let students experiment with florescent
lights, which can be used when filming. Discuss difference between tungsten and
florescent lamps.

1 class period: Students will begin to use DSLR experimentally, taking stills and
short clips while playing with light levels. Talk about file sharing between devices
and show group computer stations.
1 Class period: Begin by 1 class period: Begin to introduce Final Cut Pro and do
minor edits to the clips shot last class. Let students experiment with the clips they
shot. Assign first reading from FCP manual.
1 Class period: Discuss what was learned in the readings. Let students show each
other the techniques learned within the reading. Let students go back to film clips
and edit using the newest learned knowledge. Have them saved to their specific
serves to look at for assessment later. Watch an episode from the Twilight Zone,
having them pay attention to things we discussed the first two weeks, and now
things like lighting and camera angles. (Maybe: His Own World, Eye of the Beholder,
or Nick of Time.) Assign small reading from camera and fcp.
Assessing:
Grading for this lesson plan will be the clips they took and edited. They need to
quickly become familiar with the basics of FCP in this class to be successful. All they
need to get points is to be there and being doing what they are asked to do. They
will nee to have clips that show use of lighting and manipulate a clip in FCP using the
basics we learned.
Adaptation:
Students will be able to read ahead if they choose. Students will have to keep up
with the pace of the class to be successful.
Materials:
Computers
Cameras
Lenses
Final cut pro
Lighting equipment
Teacher Reflection:
This whole week needs to be a week of play. It is about becoming comfortable with
the equipment that they will be using for the rest of the semester.
It will be successful if:
There is student participation
Students begin to favor tasks
Students begin to work together with ease