Six Weeks to a Finished Film: A Classroom Project Outline

Week one: ideas and teams. Start with a short brainstorm. Ask each student to pitch a one-sentence story. Vote, then form small teams of three or four. Give every team member a job: director, camera, sound, editor or writer. Rotate jobs on the next project.

Week two: writing. Each team produces a one-page script and a simple storyboard of stick-figure drawings. Insist on a story that takes place in a place the class can reach during school hours.

Week three: planning. Teams create a shot list and a schedule, and visit their locations. Hold a quick check-in with each group. Look for scripts that are too big and help trim them.

Week four: shooting. Book equipment in short, fair time slots. Phones and tablets are fine. Remind everyone that permission is needed from anybody who appears on camera, and follow your school's rules about sharing images.

Week five: editing. Teach just the basics: importing clips, trimming, adding music and titles. Pair stronger and newer editors, and ask teams to show a rough cut to another group for feedback.

Week six: finishing and screening. Export, check sound levels and spelling, and hold a screening. Invite other classes, family members or a local library. Prepare the audience with a short introduction from each team.

Assess the process. Rather than grading on gear or polish, look at planning notes, teamwork, improvement after feedback and the reflection each student writes at the end. Keep the films. Store the finished work safely so next year's students can see what is possible.