Video in the Art Room (6/2)

Source: geralt, pixabay.com

I see video as having a lot of potential in art classrooms, starting with the fact that students can get really in-depth in a whole video project. Since making videos involves many steps from the storyboard, script writing, filming, and video and audio editing, video lessons can stretch into a whole unit. Because of all of the steps involved and oftentimes a limited supply of equipment, video is also the perfect medium to work in groups. Students can work collaboratively on each step of the process, or students could volunteer to lead the steps in video art that they enjoy most. Each of the processes in video can also combine many of the skills students may have learned in art or other classes. For example, students could sketch out the shots in their storyboards or practice what they've used in English to write a script for their film.

Since students are already watching and taking videos all the time and sharing them on social media or youtube, video can also serve as a great project to have them reflect on the techniques they're already using. They can discuss different types of shots, angles, lighting, and how to add interesting effects during the editing process. Students are seeing these techniques used constantly in the shows and movies they watch, so making them aware of these specific choices cinematographers make could be really interesting. I think video is also a good lesson for adolescents specifically because they can often get caught up in trying to make things look real in their drawing and paintings. When working with video, they're given the chance to record what they actually see and their unique point of views while also getting to add to reality with special effects in post production.