It can be hard for a child to incorporate their interests into their schoolwork if they are passionate about movies.You can teach them about writing, history, and even biology by assigning them some filmmaking projects during the school year.If your child is younger, they may need some help with the technical nature of these projects; otherwise, you can give them a general outline and see where they take it.
Step 1: Film Making and Creative Writing.
Writers have to be super descriptive as they plan out what the set and actors are going to look like in a movie or tv show.You can give your child some insight into how the media works by encouraging them to write their own scene.You can draw picture books or dictate their story for younger kids.
Step 2: Pick a genre for your child to write in.
Every film has a category that it fits into.Discuss with your child which ones they like best: romance, thriller, comedy, or a combination of all of them.As you work with your child to write a fun screenplay, start with that general theme.Romantic comedy, horror comedy and psychological thrillers can be combined.
Step 3: Your child should be able to think of 2 to 3 characters.
Every movie has at least one main character.Help your child come up with 2 to 3 people that would be interesting to write about as they start their movie.They can be based on real people or famous people.Martha is 33 years old and lives in New York City where she works as an engineer and loves seafood and spicy salsa.Doug is 31, lives in California, grew up in Los Angeles, loves Chinese food, and is not a fan of chocolate.
Step 4: Make a list of things your child could say.
Your child should tell you where the characters are in the movie.To help them describe the story to the audience, you can create a list of words for them to choose from.Weather is a good word to use.The sounds are loud, quiet and whistling.People are yelling and whispering.
Step 5: Discuss how to write dialogue.
For most of the movie scene, have your child write out what they want the characters to say to each other.Ask them to think about what people say in real life and write it down for each character.You don't need to worry about the quotation marks in actual screenplays.It is possible to stick to whatever is easiest for your project.Martha wanted to ask Doug.Would you stay a little longer?Doug paused.Yes.I think I could.
Step 6: Brainstorm a conclusion for your child.
If you want your scene to end with a twist, try to surprise your audience with what happens at the end.If you want your characters to share a kiss, make it happen.The characters might get eaten or defeated by the monster in a horror movie.Talk to your child about what they think is the right move and then write it down.Encourage them to be as detailed as possible.The more details they add, the better their writing skills will be.
Step 7: Films and history.
It can be difficult to get a child excited about historical figures.You can give them control over what they research and how they present their knowledge by giving them the reins on a film making project.It's a lot more fun to perform a speech than to write an essay for most kids.
Step 8: There is a significant person in history.
You can choose someone from that era if you have been talking about it.Have your child research someone from a specific time period who they think changed the course of history.Your child can portray them accurately if they know about their life, awards, and the most significant thing they did.For younger kids, you can introduce them to the person by giving them the name and one significant thing that they did.Albert Einstein, Martin Luther King Jr., and the Queen of England are some of the best people to choose.
Step 9: To dress up, use clothing and makeup.
If you have costumes in your closet or playroom, you can use them to create a character.If your child is dressing up as someone glamorous, you can use makeup to make them look better.Wigs are a great addition to a costume, but you don't need to buy one.
Step 10: Write down what this person said.
If you are going to be acting as a famous person, you can stop.You can make a scene and write what the person would have said.If your child is acting as Martin Luther King Jr., they might say his "I Have a Dream" speech.If you want to make this more difficult for an older kid, you can let them pretend to be their historical figure and talk to you.Questions about their life, achievements, and what they did throughout history can be asked of them.
Step 11: In front of a camera, act out the scene.
Put a camera on a tripod and face it toward your child.You can make your own short film by having them act out their scene.It is possible to show your child's friends and family how much they have learned about history.Adding an essay for your child to write about the person and what they did in history will make the assignment more difficult.
Step 12: Nature and film making.
Watching plants grow in real time is not an interesting activity and can take days for a seed to sprout.You and your child can see nature in action without waiting for days on end by doing a little movie magic.Setting up wildlife cameras in your backyard is a great way to combine nature and film making for your child.Take a look at the pictures that your camera captured during the night.I went through your area.If a long project like this isn't something you want to watch, consider watching an educational nature documentary.
Step 13: The bean seed can be planted in a small pot.
Purchase a packet of bean seeds from your local nursery and pick out a small pot with a drainage hole at the bottom.Make a small mark with your thumb in the center of the dirt by filling the pot with potting soil.Put the bean seed in the hole and cover it with dirt, then water it to make it grow.It is a great way to teach your child about nutrition and biology at the same time.Put a damp paper towel at the bottom of the jar and place your bean on top of that.It is great for little ones because you don't have to deal with messy soil.Beans are an ideal plant for this project because they sprout quickly.Pick out a plant that your child really likes, if your family doesn't like beans.The project will be more interesting because of that.
Step 14: The camera should be facing the bean seed.
Set the camera up in front of the bean seed.Try to leave your camera in the same spot for the whole project and check the viewfinder to make sure the top of the soil is completely in view.You can use your phone if you don't have a camera.It might be difficult to keep it in the same place since you will be using your phone throughout the day.
Step 15: Make sure the bean seed has enough sunlight.
The aim of this project is to watch the seed grow, and it will need both water and sunlight to do that.If you need to move the bean seed into the sun, make sure you and your child keep track of it.The best place for bean seeds to grow is on a windowsill.It is a good idea to keep your bean seed inside during winter.You can put your pot outside during the summer.
Step 16: Take a picture of the bean seed every day.
In the morning, afternoon, and night, take photos of the bean seed with your camera.At first, it will be photos of dirt, but as the bean grows, you will eventually see a green sprout pushing up through the soil!If you keep the camera in the same spot, it will make your short film look better, like you took a video of the bean seed growing.
Step 17: A short film can be made after 15 to 20 days.
Your bean seed will be fully sprouted in 8 to 10 days, but it will grow for a long time after that.You can make a stop motion film by uploading your photos to your computer and editing them in a slideshow.You can watch your bean seed grow.If it is easier, you can turn your photos into a flipbook.
Step 18: The art of film.
The project allows your child to use their creativity as an asset, as the props, lights, actors, and camera are all captivating.Younger kids might need some help with the setup, but older kids can recruit their friends to be actors or set managers for their very own movie.If your child has friends who are also interested in film, consider putting on a little film festival in your home with everyone's homemade movies.
Step 19: Help your child make props.
You might need more than the setup in your home or outside to make your scene look like the area it is set in.You can paint cardboard to look like buildings, rearrange furniture in your home, or head outside for a nature scene.Younger kids can be involved in painting props.They can make flowers, clouds, or stars outdoors.
Step 20: Give your actors copies of the lines.
Print out multiple copies of your child's script and give them to your actors so they can memorize their lines.It is possible for your actors to be members of your family, a few friends, or even your child playing multiple characters.Try to give your actors a few days to memorize their lines.It would be better if you didn't have to stop and give them a chance to remember what they're supposed to say.
Step 21: The lighting looks natural in this area.
As you and your child prepare to shoot a scene, look for an area with good lighting.If you are shooting indoors, angle the lights toward the ceiling so they light up the whole room without being too harsh.After you set up your shot, you can try out a few different ways of lighting it.
Step 22: Set up a camera for your child to take a picture.
Talk to your child about how to set the scene.They could angle the camera to get the whole room, zoom in on an object, or follow one of the actors.If your child needs the tripod, give it to them, but let them decide where to put it.They might need you to follow them around as they act.
Step 23: Your child is shooting a short film.
Wait for the actors to take charge and record on the camera.If you want to get different angles of the same scene, move the camera around or keep it in one spot all the time.If your child needs help with the creative process, let them be in charge.Your child may want to do multiple takes to make sure they like how the scene is set up.
Step 24: Help your child use technology.
Put their film on a computer and open it.Pick out the takes that they want to use, then use a movie editing software to put your takes together or add music to the final cutYour child may be able to do this on their own if they are proficient with computers.If needed, you can offer assistance.Windows Movie Maker is a great tool to start with.
Step 25: The preschool is 2 to 5 years old.
Kids this young might not be able to do much of the film making on their own, but they can still have fun acting out their favorite characters and coming up with new stories.Encourage your little ones to get creative with their world-building, and assist them in putting together a fun, entertaining movie that they would enjoy watching.If your child is not comfortable in front of the camera, you can have them act out the scene with their favorite toys or dolls.
Step 26: The elementary school is 6 to 8 years old.
Children this age might be showing an interest in films or tv shows, so showing them how to make one on their own can give them an outlet that isn't sitting in front of the TV.Give them a few ideas for different films to make and help them with the heavy lifting.If they want to take their project in a new direction, don't be afraid to get a little hands off.If the project gets a little hard, focus on seeing it through until the end.Each project can be tailored to your child's interests to make them more engaging.
Step 27: Kids 9 to 12 years old.
If your child is interested in movie making, you will be able to tell by now.Let them explore their creativity with new ideas of their own.Emphasize how much hard work goes into making movies, and encourage them to use their creativity by coming up with their own ideas.You can involve their friends in the film making process.This will teach your child how to work with someone of their own age.
Step 28: Teens are 13 years old.
Teenagers don't need a lot of direction.They can get creative with the basic outline of the project.You should let them ask first if they need help.Encourage your child to think and come up with solutions to problems.It is possible to change some of the projects to be more focused on specific types of film making.Older kids can make their own stop motion, claymation, and silent films.