The Curriculum Through ICT Program

Ideas Bank

Making Movie Trailers

THE TASK

In this activity, students explored transferring written texts to visual texts by creating movie trailers. The movie trailers were based on stories that were previously written by class members.

Existing movie trailers were viewed, compared and a set of criteria developed for identifying an effective movie trailer. These criteria were used to monitor and reflect on progress as students storyboarded, filmed, edited and reviewed their drafts in co-operative groups. Draft movie trailers were test-run with a target audience and feedback helped students to develop their trailers further before final publication to CD.

ICT ENRICHMENT

• Some groups chose to create storyboards electronically to enable them to change sequence and edit easily.
• Use of digital video and video editing software is an effective way of bringing video editing into the classroom. The simplicity of the software allows students to focus on the learning: creating and crafting a product that communicates an idea or message.

SUGGESTED RESOURCES

• Teaching Viewing and Visual Texts, by Quin, McMahon and Quin, pub. Curriculum Corporation, 1996 (Primary & Secondary editions).
• 10 Tips for Capturing Great Video (web page)
• Create and Edit Movies (web page)

ASSESSMENT

• Students were observed in a number of different activities and discussions. Their planning, reflections, comments and abandoned activities were monitored.
• The criteria developed for the contents of the trailer were used for monitoring progress and for task assessment.
• Reflection journals were kept by students.
• The final product was used to assess understandings, but not exclusively.

LEARNING AREA OUTCOMES

The Arts
Arts Ideas
Arts Skills and Processes

English
Understanding Language
Speaking
Viewing
Writing

Technology and Enterprise
Technology Process
Information

Based on a learning program developed by Marie Beardsell.