In film making you can teach any academic subject and provide more than 50% single solution to meet the educational needs of any learner, through the application of the STEAM curriculum. Film making is the ultimate Science Technology Engineering Arts and Math project for young learners and kids to participate, practice and reproduce what they learn and it provides deep learning experiences all the way.
21st century education is dependent on core skillset in the areas of collaboration, communication, creativity, imagination, problem solving, leadership, global citizenship and personal development, which are all inclusive and core to film making. Holistically, the basic educational level and literacy of any society can be boosted to meet the SDG minimum requirement for citizens of all ages through employing film making literacy in that environment. There are no language or cultural barriers in film making because at that point, technology provides a powerful means for learners to leverage upon, for gaining adequate education; and also open opportunities for their sustainable development and that of the society.
Like I highlighted earlier, when creatively designed, film making education via STEAM is an all-encompassing subject that is pivotal to teaching all other subjects in one curriculum. Film making can also meet 50% basic educational needs of young children and even adults in educational disadvantaged areas of the world.
Film clubs for primary and secondary schools are overdue in Nigeria. Though film schools are great vocation for young adults, yet it can be made available in form of clubs for young learners in schools, orphanages and home for special needs children.
ADOPTING FILM MAKING AS A complete S.T.E.A.M PROJECT FOR NIGERIA LEARNERS
Film making tools can bring in extensive support for young learners to become proficient in various categories, including Stop motion animation, acting, documentary, 2D & 3D animation etcetera. The film making processes are integral part of a complete STEAM project and has sufficient core skills and deep learning activities to engage and accentuate the voices of leaners in their learning. It is one of the most powerful feedback tools for learners and assessable by high standards. The most prominent Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math techniques as found in film making are described below:
SCIENCE
The science of object motions and movements are integral when making any film. Core applications includes camera angles, subject movements and various aspects of directing views.
Of course the film lighting concepts of reflection/reflectors, refraction/refractors and different colours of light plays a solid role in teaching the science of natural phenomenon to learners at an early age.
Understanding the science of sound reflection and diffusion is paramount to making a standard film.
The research and psychological processes of having a conversation/dialogue, directing casts and leadership roles are amplified during film making as core skills for learners. There is a long list of scientific applications during most film making processes, which becomes a teaching model for young learners.
TECHNOLOGY
The uses and role of technology during film making can never to overemphasized. The use of cameras and software/apps are de facto standards in modern film making. The use and application of lighting and sound equipment in Stop motion animation and acting provides an efficient setting for young learners to learn the practicability of apps, cameras, smartphones, tablets, computers and other film making tools. Professional uses of cameras are precisely intentional and isn’t as easy as the point and shoot ideology.
Self-directed learning is very important during film making using technology and this is amongst the benefits gained by learners as an educational developmental process. Production and post production practices including video editing involves the extensive use of tech tools and apps during the final stages of film production, also made available to children at basic levels of video production.
ENGINEERING
During the film making process, there’s a lot of engineering going on at the background; from creating simple machines for moving objects to applying engineering design processes of problem solving (research, requirements, brainstorm, prototyping, testing etc) all encountered during film making. At this point young learners can apply natural scientific concepts of Do-It-Yourself, when designing a solution with common materials.
For example, certain camera movements and angles are difficult to achieve without the use of camera cranes and sophisticated levers, which can also be created using simple machine techniques and engineering drawing. These details of applying backyard science methodology becomes more intuitive using simple home sourced materials including woodworks, dolly tripod, green screen set up, special lighting effects, CGI effects and solutions to achieve solid results during film production.
More interesting is using Lego like props, characters and accessories during Stop motion animation making; material assembling becomes applicable to how young learners learn STEAM with the help of film making.
ART
In Film making the Arts play the ultimate role in storytelling and creation of new knowledge and learning. There isn't an actually film without a story; every other aspect are tools to bring the story alive.
Film making is also a veritable tool in teaching literacy to young learners; which also includes characterization, plotting and whole lot of literary skills, that empowers learners to use their voices and ideas to promote social participation at a younger age.
Creative writing, storyboarding, screen writing and storytelling are the first steps in making any serious film. Adoption of books for movies and the collaborative writing synergy, provides young learners the opportunity to pitch a film narrative, even for documentary production.
Creating a film set, background, acting, music, props, makeup, colour combination, costuming are powerful skillsets that make film making an all-encompassing deep learning activity for young children, with an opportunity for them to apply every creative nerve within.
Photography plays the role of sending powerful messages prior to post production of any film, it amplifies detail of each step during video making process and provides footages for any film promotion.
MATH
Mathematical timing is paramount in keeping consistent workflow and pace from pre-production till post production processes. Understanding the concepts of frame count per second and camera angles and geometrical shapes are some basic math skills learnt during film making.
Calculating distances during object and camera movement are numeracy skills fully applicable during film making.
All films are dependent on finance, and the most important numeracy skill for young learners is film budgeting (financial literacy). At this point, all mathematical operators and branches are enjoyed without the fear of numbers in the process of film making.
Above all film marketing and distribution can be taught to young learners, you will be baffled by new ideas on solutions to distribute videos effectively, curb piracy and communication strategies that can be proffered by young learners, due to the creative power of their imaginations.
In providing access to film clubs for primary, secondary schools and other institutions for young learners in Nigeria, I believe film making education via STEAM is sustainable and adequate in providing any literacy level for the educational development of our society and others.
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