Filmmaking Lesson Plans

Learners consider different stories and story-telling techniques of animated and live-action filmmaking, write proposals for animated films, and storyboard individual scenes.

Students discuss the difference between independent films and and films produced by a major studio. They select an independent filmmaker to research and begin their research from a list of given Web sites. When research is complete, they create a visual display such as a poster, scrapbook, or slide show presentation highlighting the career of the filmmaker.

In this lesson students Discuss the contributions of Albert Maysles to documentary filmmaking and learn how to correctly operate video recording and editing equipment to create a short film.

This lesson has learners explore the process of film making. In this filmmaking lesson, learners write a script using a "hero" theme. This lesson has learners follow specific guidelines concerning creating montages, portraying particular scenes, developing a short story line, and considering audience.

In this lesson students explore basic filmmaking by creating a short, in-camera video portrait of a classmate. They use professional vocabulary, create a storyboard, complete a shoot, and work as a team with their partner.

In this lesson students analyze how filmmakers bring historical figures to life. In this film and history lesson, students explore the craft of film-making and the role of the screenwriter by examining a first-person documentary narrative. In this lesson students complete historical research for contextual details and produce a film scenario and script based on the life of a woman from history.

Students study budgeting money activities by watching a video about making a film and using a budget in the process. In this budgeting money lesson, students watch several videos about making a film, but study the role of budgeting in the process. Students complete column addition to complete activities about budgeting.

Students examine filmmaking in Canada and participate in a debate.

This lesson has learners examine the filmmaking process, and utilize digital video editing software to create short films. They create short films to educate people about the harmful environmental effects of pollution and the importance of recycling.

Learners explore the pros and cons of the Mexican War and the Spanish American War. In this history lesson, learners watch four video clips, then complete several group activities that reinforce the information in the videos.