The Story of Movies, Free Film Literacy Program

The Story of Movies is a FREE interdisciplinary film literacy program for classroom use, created and distributed by The Film Foundation, in partnership with the Directors Guild of America.


“Young people need to understand that not all images are there to be consumed like fast food and then forgotten – we need to educate them to understand the difference between moving images that engage their humanity and their intelligence, and moving images that are just selling them something.”

~ Martin Scorsese, Director

Why is film literacy so important?

Movies are more than just entertainment.  They’re a door to knowledge.  Knowledge of art, history, society.  Knowledge of ourselves.

The language of film is a uniquely persuasive one.  Communication using moving images is everywhere.  Critical-viewing is as essential a skill as critical-thinking.

The language of film is universal.  Movies enable us to see the world through another’s eyes.

Films are representations of our culture through time.  They communicate ideas and feelings, fears and aspirations.

Complementing Common Core Standards

The Story of Movies supports the Common Core’s emphasis on deep learning.  Today’s students are asked to recognize, understand and appreciate content in diverse media and formats.  Cinema literacy requires students to use inference and implicit information to derive meaning.

An Interdisciplinary Approach

The scope and sequence of The Story of Movies lessons and activities integrate language arts, history, social studies, music, art and science. Students tap their existing knowledge to interpret and derive meaning from films, and cross-curricular links deepen their understanding of these subjects.

Why teach The Story of Movies?

Film is a communications medium and an art form, worthy of close reading and serious discussion. The Story of Movies curriculum challenges teachers and students to explore in-depth this essential part of our history and culture.

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Drone Training with V1DroneMedia

V1DroneMedia is dedicated to training others to operate drones in a safe, reliable, and responsible manner. Our Chief Pilot, Jason Damman, is a certified flight instructor (CFI), holds FAA ATP (Airline Transport Pilot) certificate and FAA Part 107 drone license. He is a subject matter expert in national airspace and FAA regulations through his 20 years of experience in commercial airlines, and 7 years of V1DroneMedia commercial drone operations. He is also an instructor at the Tri-C Drone Academy For First Responders, provides classes and course work through Lorain County Community College (LCCC), and custom on-demand training to groups and individuals. We are also a founding member of the North Coast Drone Alliance, a non-profit drone professional association in the Northeast Ohio region, connecting and educating drone professionals in all industries and sectors.

We offer a variety of drone training classes geared toward your interest and skill level. If you would like to learn more about drone technology, its uses, and growth in applications in various industries, check out our pre-recorded Drones for Business Educational Webinar.

Click here to sign up for Drone Class notifications and Drone Training Newsletter


Ready to take the 1st step?

If you are are looking to fly drones for fun (as a hobby), or are exploring drones for a business opportunity but are not sure if you want to get your Part 107 license, get your TRUST Certificate within an hour, and go fly your drone to explore that hobby or a business!

Watch our TRUST Test YouTube VLOG to learn what TRUST Test is and how to get the certificate (click on the button below). Spoiler: FAA requires you to have the TRUST Certificate even if you are flying your drone for fun.

WATCH TRUST TEST VLOG

Do you have questions or would like us to post a blog or a video on a certain drone topic you are interested in? Contact us at [email protected] to let us know! 

Young Filmmakers Academy

Young Filmmakers Academy teaches students the ins and outs of filmmaking throughout the year.


Founded in 2017 by award-winning film and TV producer Eric Swinderman, Young Filmmakers Academy is like no other program in Northeast Ohio. Created on the principles of creativity, inclusion, diversity, and teamwork, YFA is dedicated to offering a safe, structured environment where aspiring young artists can learn to express themselves, meet like-minded friends, have fun, and feel comfortable. 

Through avenues like The renowned Summer Filmmaking Program, The 8 Week Film School and various Focused Learning courses, our students learn the ins and outs of screenwriting, cinematography, editing, digital effects, set design and more under the guidance of experienced industry professionals.

Studies show that children involved in the arts excel in all other areas of social and educational development. Arts learning can also improve motivation, concentration, confidence, and teamwork.

Young Filmmakers Academy offers a varied curriculum with programs for all levels of interest that are sure to awaken your child’s inner Spielberg.

PROGRAMS

8 Week Film School is a comprehensive film studies program specifically designed for kids and teens ages 10-17. Movies are an important part of our lives and more and more kids are becoming interested in how they are made. YFA’s eight-week program is designed to give your child a crash course in how to create professional movies from start to finish.

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Beginner & Advanced Summer Film Camps, aspiring young storytellers aged 8-17 build skills in writing, directing, cinematography, set design special effects makeup, editing, digital effects and even acting to produce an original short film, all under the guidance of our faculty of professional filmmakers and directors.

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Focused Learning Courses are four-week training programs that allow students to really focus on individual aspects of film and TV making. YFA is excited to offer courses in Screenwriting, Acting, Sketch Comedy and Special Effects Makeup.

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Imposters Theater – Comedy Writing, Improv, & Acting Classes/Workshops in Tremont

Imposters Theater is located in Tremont and offers a variety of improv, comedy writing, & acting workshops and classes which provide executable, practical guidance from experienced instructors with years of professional experience in the entertainment industry.


Imposters Theater’s goal is to foster a creative and inclusive space to support, showcase, educate, and grow Cleveland’s vibrant independent comedy & film community through a variety of workshops and classes which provide executable, practical guidance from experienced instructors with years of professional experience in the entertainment industry.

Our instructors include creative director Michael Busch (UCB, Conan, Comedy Central Digital) and guest instructors such as Cleveland natives Dana Quercioli (Second City Chicago) and author/comedian Dave Hill.

For more information on classes/workshops and more please visit: https://www.imposterstheater.com/classes

Script Supervisor CEO Workshop with Jennifer Carriere

Learn how to get your start with script supervisor Jennifer Carriere (Ruthless, Watchmen, Max)


This free 90-minute webinar will teach you how to be a successful Script Supervisor, an essential part of production that is also in high demand. This presentation will help you advance your career by working closely with Producers, Directors, Actors, and Screenwriters.

What does a Script Supervisor do?

Let’s bust some myths about this highly misunderstood and overlooked film role! Right out of the gate: the title “Script Supervisor” is a misnomer. It tells only a tiny fraction of the full story. A more accurate definition of this influential film boss position is a “mini-director” / “mini-producer” / “screenwriter representative” / “actor wingman” / “editor advocate”, all rolled into one amazing film job. The position ties together no fewer than five creative filmmaking disciplines! Because true understanding of this powerful position is so scant , the industry is desperate for more of them – there aren’t enough to go around. The Script Supervisor is the baddest boss on set! You’re a step ahead of the director, thinking like a producer, talking story and performance with actors, and hanging out all day with artists who also happen to be major action-takers.

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My First Job In Film Workshops

My First Job In Film Academy not only connects you with industry professionals, current industry professionals run it.


Through a variety of workshops and events, the My First Job In Film (MFJF) Academy will provide you with the chance to elevate your career to the next level. Importantly all our Workshops and events are affordable and rely upon current industry professionals kindly volunteering their time so everyone has the opportunity to attend.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Whos Who on the Crew List

What is a swing gang? Who is the APOC? With so many people involved in making a film, the job titles can be obscure and confusing. Join me as we run through a crew list, explaining what each department does and what each job within the department entails.

When: Sunday 28th July, 4 pm
Where: Online via Zoom
Duration: 90 mins
Cost: Free

This workshop is designed to ensure you know exactly who’s who and what they do as you begin your first experiences in production. We will:

  • Run through a crew list (on production personnel)
  • Explain each department’s role
  • Explain each job within the departments

 REGISTER NOW

Try Anyway – Creative Strategies for Perfectionist

Created by award-winning writer/director/recovering perfectionist Claire Ayoub (Empire Waist, The GynoKid, Amy Poehler’s Smart Girls), Try Anyway is a workshop designed for artists of all mediums whose perfectionism is getting in the way of bringing their projects to life. We identify our perfectionist trigger points (all-or-nothing thinking, nothing feeling good enough to share, panic at a blank document) and reframe how we speak to ourselves through kindness and purpose. We’ll end up defining small steps you can take post-class to approach your project with revitalized energy and goals.

When: Tuesday 30th July, 8 pm ET
Where: Online via Zoom
Duration: 90 minutes
Cost: Free

This workshop is for writers, directors, and actors looking to make their own projects a reality. Many students have worked in the industry or industry-adjacent and are looking to create their own work. Previous student work has included: short films, feature films, novels, musicals, TV shows, and a film critic site. We will:
  • Assess current creative process.
  • Identify struggles.
  • Inner Critic.
  • Reframing why we do the work.
  • What lights you up about your project?
  • Who are you making this for?
  • What does progress look like to you? (Spoiler: Daydreaming or thinking about your project counts as progress).
  • How to lean on your community to bring your project to life.

 REGISTER NOW

Try Anyway – Development: August 15th, Virtual

Created by award-winning writer/director/recovering perfectionist Claire Ayoub (Empire Waist, The GynoKid, Amy Poehler’s Smart Girls), Try Anyway – Development: Meet Your Audience Early & Often is inspired by Claire’s own journey leading 17 live readings of her award-winning feature Empire Waist across the US in 2019. A first-time feature director, Claire took her deeply personal script on body image to audiences for live readings and talkbacks. Not only did audiences never get the same script twice, Claire learned that Empire Waist resonated with people 14-84. That feedback solidified the need for the film and Claire’s vital role in making it, leading to financing and partnerships to bring the film to life. Claire will walk you through the workshop process, how to cast your table read, recommendations for collecting feedback, and ways to utilitize your learnings during the financing process.

When: Thursday 15th August, 8pm ET
Where: Online via Zoom
Duration: 90 minutes
Cost: Free

This workshop is for Screenwriters, TV writers, Playwrights, Novelists. Great for both commercial films and indie films.
We will cover:
  • The power of a live reading (1 live reading = 10 drafts on your own).
  • Combatting fear over presenting work “too early.”
  • How to organize a table read.
  • Casting your characters.
  • Inviting friends, family, and people connected to the subject matter.
  • Leading a talkback.
  • Taking feedback.
  • Collecting data for pitch decks, personal learning.
  • Recommendations for rewrites (e.g. don’t touch the script for a week, then write down the notes that stuck with you).

 REGISTER NOW

Day Players Program – PA Career Accelerator: Ongoing

The MFJF Day Players PA Careers Accelerator Program is here to help PAs find paid PA work on union TV series and feature films, in either the production office, assistant director or locations departments.

The ambition for many members of MFJF is to work on union productions, feature films and scripted TV. But how do you make that leap from working on student films, shorts and non-union to union-productions?

Jobs on union productions are rarely advertised. Finding work on these productions relies upon the traditional recommendation, who you know system.

Now MFJF is giving its members access to these jobs via The Day Players program.

The aim of this program is to work with small pools of participants for a minimum 3-month period, finding them day play and PA work, giving them the chance to get their “foot in the door” and launch their careers.

In addition, all participants will receive personal mentoring and career advice from our team and be invited to exclusive ‘meet the industry’ networking events so they can meet recruiters and expand their own networks.

Key Points:

  • You pay nothing until MFJF finds you work
  • You do not pay until the production as paid you
  • MFJF guarantees all participants of the Day Players Program personal Mentoring and career guidance and access to exclusive industry networking and recruitment events

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No Film School

No Film School is the world’s most popular filmmaking website, with over a million visitors every month. They publish the latest news, tutorials, interviews, and videos to help you become a better filmmaker. Their popular and highly-rated podcast places consistently at the top of the charts for Film & TV.

No Film School was founded in 2010 by award-winning filmmaker Ryan Koo, who went on to write and direct AMATEUR, a Sundance Screenwriters Lab selection and Netflix Original Film.

The site’s distinct voice has been “by filmmakers, for filmmakers” since the beginning, giving NFS unmatched credibility in the filmmaking community.

To become a part of the community, create your free profile, check out all the topics they cover, and grab their Free Screenwriting eBook.

While you’re at it, make sure to subscribe to the weekly podcast where they interview industry leaders and break the latest news on filmmaking technology and trends.

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MasterClass Online Classes

MasterClass is the streaming platform that makes it possible for anyone to watch or listen to hundreds of video lessons taught by 180+ of the world’s best.

Whether it be in business and leadership, photography, cooking, writing, acting, music, sports and more, MasterClass delivers a world class online learning experience. Video lessons are available anytime, anywhere on your smartphone, personal computer, Apple TV and FireTV streaming media players.

Learn from the world’s best filmmakers starting today!

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Location Management 101

Learn what it takes to get your start as a Location Manager!

Location Management 101 is the first course developed collaboratively by the Association of Film Commissioners International (AFCI) and the Location Managers Guild International (LMGI). It provides an introduction to the art of Location Management for feature films, television, commercials and other creative projects. This course will give the participant an overview of the work typically performed by professional location scouts, location managers and members of their team.

After taking this course, you will be able to discuss and identify:

  • The definition and characteristics of a “location”
  • Common traits and skills required to be a location manager
  • The duties and responsibilities of a location manager
  • Ways a location manager interacts with various departments within a production
  • Ways a location manager interacts with film commissions and members of the general public

This course has two chapters. There are eight lessons in Chapter One, and ten lessons in Chapter Two. Randomly placed within each chapter are a series of quizzes with multiple choice questions designed to test your knowledge of the material presented in the various lessons. This course registers your progress. After you read a lesson, click the “Mark Complete” button, then click on the “Next Lesson” button to ensure your progress is recorded. When you reach a quiz, click on the text bar to open the quiz. You’ll have the opportunity to retake each quiz as many times as necessary to achieve a passing grade. Once all lessons are completed and all quizzes have been passed, you’ll receive a joint AFCI/LMGI authorized certificate of completion.

A glossary of common production terms has been created to assist you with this course.  Please click here to access and download this document.  You may want to keep it handy as you proceed through this course to help you fully understand the content.

NOTES

  • There are references throughout this course to standards and practices that are commonly used in North America, but may not exist or be necessary in other regions of the world.
  • At the time this course was written, standard health and safety protocols for filming during the COVID-19 pandemic were still being developed, implemented and evaluated. Information on COVID-19 procedures will be revised as the science evolves.

COURSE CREATION COMMITTEE MEMBERS

LMGI: Mike Fantasia, Hans Dayal, Becky Brake, Timothy Hillman, Leah Sokolowsky

AFCI: Jess Conoplia, Marjorie Galas

Filmmaker U Online Education Series

Filmmaker U is a collaboration of educators and innovators Josh Apter & Jason Banke of Manhattan Edit Workshop and Gordon Burkell at Aotg.com. This online seminar series was created to give aspiring and existing filmmakers unprecedented access to the lost art of apprenticeship in the film industry. Filmmaker U instructors are acclaimed and award-winning artists who are the best filmmakers in the business.   For more information please visit www.filmmakeru.com.

 

Watch  on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/filmmakeru

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Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/filmmaker_u

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