The MY HERO Pocket Field Guide can be printed for students to use as a resource. If you would like to have a smaller, foldable pocket guide, use this link.
Steps to Creating a Hero Film
1. Decide on your hero!
2. Decide what kind of movie to make.
3. Shoot footage and gather media for your movie.
4. Edit footage.
5. Add music & titles.
6. Share your film.
RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS TO USE DURING EACH STEP OF THE FILMMAKING PROCESS
STEP ONE: DECIDE ON YOUR HERO
Use the following essay, What Kind of Heroes Should We Embrace to start a discussion about heroes? Students identify the difference between a hero and a celebrity as they discuss what type of person is a hero.
STEP TWO: DECIDE WHAT KIND OF MOVIE YOU WANT TO MAKE
What type of film will students be creating? Do you want to create a documentary, narrative, or PSA (Public Service Announcement)?
The following student-made films from the MY HERO short film library are wonderful examples of a PSA film, an interview, and a call to action.
Resource for Narrative Filmmaking
TED Talk The Power of Personal Narrative | J. Christian Jensen
Narrative is one of the most powerfully motivating human forces. Filmmaker J. Christian Jensen reveals how the same emotional forces that thrust us forward in a good film can propel us to do remarkable things. Illustrated by scenes from his Oscar- nominated documentary, White Earth, Jensen tells how to construct your own personal narrative to accomplish things no one else can. |
Resource for Creating a Documentary Film
The Independent Initiative - Documentary Filming With Your Smartphone
Shooting documentaries on a smartphone is so simple! Check out these creative tips to help you with your next project!
The Beat - The 6 Types of Documentary Films
Details the various types of documentaries with multiple examples of each.
Resource for Creating a PSA
Credit: Robert Renda
For those students creating a PSA, watching the film New Together is recommended and other excellent examples are located in the MY HERO PSA Film Library.
Conducting an Interview
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DigitalStorytellers - MAKE Your Story: Interviews The "Dos and don'ts" of recording interviews! Tips on background, sounds,lighting, and spacing during interviews. |
STEP THREE: STORYBOARD AND SHOT LIST
First, do research about the topic and make notes on a computer or notepad
Then create a rough draft of a script - this does not have to be word for word.
Then create a storyboard, or shot list.
STEP FOUR: FILMING: CAMERA SHOTS, ANGLES AND MOVEMENT
Make sure you have good, front-facing lighting and are not backlit.
Get a good angle with your entire face in the shot.
Memorize small parts of your script at a time so that you aren’t reading off the page-- it takes away from the energy and charisma (gaps in between sections are okay, they can be edited out!)
BE ENGAGING! Even if you aren’t passionate about what you are talking about, act as if you are.
STEP FIVE: POST-PRODUCTION AFTER FILMING
Transfer your clips onto whichever device you will be using to edit. A computer is recommended but alternatively, you can use a phone or tablet
Learn how to use your editing platform. See tutorials below.
Include pictures and subtitles, you can find free images on Wikimedia commons.
STEP SIX: ADD MUSIC AND TITLES
The following three links are resources to copyright free images and sound.
STEP SEVEN: SHARE YOUR FILM
SUBMIT YOUR FILM TO THE MY HERO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL. ONGOING SUBMISSIONS ACCEPTED
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
The following resource assists student filmmakers in creating a video using a mobile phone.
Using Canva to Create Videos Tutorials
USE CANVA TO CREATE A SIMPLE VIDEO PROJECT! THIS PAGE HAS MANY TUTORIALS TO GET STARTED.
Organizer created on 8/8/2022 2:00:50 PM by Laura Nietzer
Last edited 1/9/2024 3:50:55 PM by Rachel Priebe