Movie making

Grouping & roles

1. Count devices (iPads/phone usable for filming).

2. Make that many groups. Aim for roughly equal numbers of children in each group (one device per group).

3. Assign or let groups choose roles (encourage everyone to try at least two roles across the block):

   • Director (keeps story on track, calls “Action/Cut”)

   • Camera (operates device, frames shots)

   • Lead Actor(s)

   • Supporting Actor(s)/Extras

   • Props/Costume Manager

   • Script/Continuity (keeps shot list, checks outfits/props match between takes)

   • Editor (hands-on during editing phase)

   Tip: If there are more children than roles, pair up (e.g., Co-Directors, Co-Cameras). Plan a mid-block role swap so everyone gets a turn.

Story spark (planning)

Goal: Pick a simple idea and map a short story arc.

• Offer genre cards (comedy, action, mystery, superhero, news report, nature doco…)

• Use this 3-beat arc on a half-page storyboard:

  1. Beginning: Who are we? Where are we?

  2. Problem: What goes wrong?

  3. Ending: How is it solved or what’s the twist?

• Shot list: For each beat, note: location, who’s in the scene, and the line/action.

Coach prompts (staff):

• “What’s the problem in your story?”

• “How will the audience know we’ve reached the ending?”

• “Where will you film each part so sound is clear?”

Filmmaking mini-lesson (2–3 minutes)

• Hold steady (two hands or rest on furniture), film in landscape.

• Light faces (avoid filming towards bright windows).

• Get coverage: wide → medium → close-up.

• Sound: get close; reduce background noise.

• Slate: say scene name aloud at the start (or use clapperboard craft).

• Leave head/tail: 2–3 seconds of quiet before and after the action.

Rehearse & shoot

1. Rehearse once (soft voices off-camera; clear the background).

2. Record takes (aim for one clean take; repeat only if truly needed).

3. Continuity check after each take (props/clothes positions, actor entrances).

4. Pickups: Grab quick extra shots (hands, feet, reaction faces) to help editing.

5. B-roll: Establishing shot of the setting, crowd reactions, close-ups of props.

Staff floaters: Keep zones quiet. Help Camera kids frame (rule of thirds, no chopped heads). Encourage Directors to use clear calls: “Quiet on set… Rolling… Action!”

 Edit (simple & fast)

Any basic editor is fine (e.g., iMovie or similar). Focus on clarity, not perfection.

Editing steps (kid-friendly):

1. Import footage into the group’s album/project.

2. Rough cut: Drag clips into story order (Beginning → Problem → Ending).

3. Trim: Cut off wobbly starts/ends; keep the best take of each scene.

4. Titles: Add a simple opening title and end credits (everyone’s name appears).

5. Audio: Raise quiet clips; lower loud ones; avoid music that drowns talking.

6. Effects (optional): One or two transitions max; keep it clean.

7. Export to the device and also AirDrop/transfer to a staff device labelled with the group name and today’s date.

If time is tight: Prioritise story order + basic trims; skip fancy effects.

6) Quality check & hand-in

• Staff view each film once with the group: check sound, order, and that names are spelled right in the credits.

  
  

7) The Premiere & Academy Awards (Oscars)

Emcee script (staff or confident child)

• “Welcome to the Mini Movie Makers Premiere!”

• “Please show big applause after every film.”

• “After each screening, we’ll hear one fun fact from the filmmakers.”

Run of show

1. Screening: Play each film; brief applause; one group fact (e.g., “Our hardest scene was…”, “Our funniest blooper was…”).

2. Audience Choice: Quick sticker vote or hand-raise on “Most LOL Moment” after all films.

3. Awards: Every group/child is recognised with positive, specific categories, e.g.:

   • Best Teamwork

   • Best Actor / Best Ensemble

   • Best Director Vision

   • Best Cinematography (Great Camera Work)

   • Best Original Idea

   • Best Use of Props/Costume

   • Best Edit / Smoothest Story

   • Most Hilarious Moment

   • Most Dramatic Scene

   • Audience Choice