School Workshops
Media arts workshops for schools & groups
Give your students a new perspective on the world with one of our filmmaking and film appreciation workshops.
Contact us today to set up a workshop.
BENEFITS
Film expresses ideas in unique ways. We use film as a tool to help students better understand the world and themselves.
- Get Creative: You’re more likely to win a Nobel Prize if you have an artistic hobby—we take this to heart and teach students creative techniques that can be applied beyond the arts
- Expand Perspectives: Our workshops use film to explore different cultures, encourage creativity, and make connections between the arts and other core subjects
- From the Experts: All of our curricula are taught and implemented by our expert media educators
- Virtual or In-Person: Most workshops have the flexibility to be virtual, in-person, or hybrid
- Variety of Choice: Choose from one of our established programs OR contact us about developing a custom workshop for your students
COST
Costs vary per program. Approximate cost is $10-$15 per hour, per participant, with minimums if fewer than 20. Teacher/Chaperone at no-cost at a 10:1 ratio.
PROGRAM LENGTH
Programs are 4–25 hours, taught by FACETS media educators. Programs can take place in 1-2 sessions, over 1-2 weeks, or run over several weeks. Some projects may require additional classroom time.
LOCATION
Programs take place at your school, at FACETS (1517 W. Fullerton Ave., Chicago), or can take place virtually.
EQUIPMENT & SOFTWARE
Equipment needs vary per program. Most workshops require the participant to have a personal electronic device (phone, tablet, laptop computer, camera, etc.) or an electronic device belonging to the school. Access to a projector, speakers, and an input to connect a computer is also required for presentations. Facets has projection and access to limited, additional equipment that can be used for programs.
Most software used in programs are already available on devices (iMovie, camera), available free or for a small fee online (typically under $5). Some software requires registering for a free account for greater flexibility.
SCHOOL WORKSHOP COLLABORATORS
CodeCreate connects thousands of people, with varying economic means and differing physical abilities, across urban and rural areas, with a more proactive, healthier and safer relationship to art and science. CodeCreate is an organization dedicated to providing youth with moments of inspiration and creativity that will last throughout their lives, as well as, educators with the tools to create these special moments.
QUESTIONS?
To book a workshop or learn more about the programs, contact:
Kathleen Beckman
Director of Youth Programs
773.281.9075 ext. 109
Choose from one of the programs below or contact us about developing a custom workshop for your students.
Introduction to Filmmaking (In Person or Virtual)
Gain the essential skills to make a fictional narrative film in this introductory workshop.
Participants will work collaboratively (in small groups) to learn the process of filmmaking (story development, types of shots, directing, shooting & editing) while building their creativity, critical thinking, and organization skills in a team environment. This program uses participant’s or the school’s electronic devices (iPhone, iPad, android, laptops) for creating films in-person and/or via Zoom. Group projects will be shared with other participants at the end of the program. For grades 4-10. (6-25 hours program time)
Outcomes and Benefits
- Examine the role of story structure in creating a narrative or documentary film
- Develop characters, screenplay, storyboard or shot list
- Learn essential filmmaking skills (types of shots, directing, acting, editing)
- Cultivate creative energy, exercise critical thinking skills, gain confidence, and work as a team
- Collaborate in small groups to create a short film
Introduction to Documentary Filmmaking (In Person or Virtual)
Gain the essential skills to make a documentary film in this introductory workshop.
Participants will work collaboratively (in small groups) to learn the process of documentary filmmaking (story development, types of shots, directing, shooting & editing) while building their creativity, critical thinking, and organization skills in a team environment. This program uses participant’s or the school’s electronic devices (iPhone, iPad, android, laptops) for creating films in-person and/or via Zoom. Group projects will be shared with other participants at the end of the program. For grades 4-10. (6-25 hours program time)
Outcomes and Benefits
- Examine the role of story structure in creating a documentary film
- Develop their story ideas to determine interviews, artifacts, locations, questions, A & B Roll shots, locations, and shooting schedule
- Learn essential filmmaking skills (writing, types of shots, directing, editing)
- Cultivate creative energy, exercise critical thinking skills, gain confidence, and work as a team
- Collaborate in small groups to create a short film
Digital Animation (In Person or Virtual)
Discover the exciting world of digital animation with CodeCreate’s Jeff Sweeton to gain the skills, tools, and techniques to make your own digital animations.
Learn how to create a short story and bring it to life through the animation ‘style’ of your choice. Participants will learn a range of animation tools to help them for hand-drawn or stop motion animations, simple GIF animation, and coding-based animations. Let your imagination go wild and discover the many tools available to creative minds today! We encourage young creatives ages 8+ of all skill levels and backgrounds to enroll. No prior knowledge of animation is required. For grades 4 and up. (5-25 hours program time)
Outcomes and Benefits
- Learn creative storytelling by writing, planning, and producing your own, unique animated vision
- Learn animation fundamentals, and ‘how it works’
- Learn technical filmmaking tools to understand the timing and flow, character building, types of shots, sound (music, dialogue, sound effects), and editing
- See examples of award-winning films that will inspire creativity
- Get to know new animation software
- Learn transferable skills like creative problem solving, time management, spatial reasoning, and focus
Tech Requirements
- Internet access is required
- Participants can use any type of electronic device (iPad, android, laptop, desktop computer, or iPhone) — devices with larger screens are preferred
- FREE online software explored in this workshop includes: Brush Ninja, Scratch, and Cloud Stop Motion (with a brief intro to 3D with Clara.io)
STEM Media Mashup (In Person)
Calling all media makers! Spend your CPS day-off making a short movie, animation, video game, website, photo essay, or an animatronic character. Take your creative idea and bring it to life by combining techniques to create a ‘media mashup’, using tools in the most creative ways possible. The only limit is your imagination. For grades 4-10. (2-8 hours program time)
Outcomes and Benefits
- Learn techniques of computer programming, animation, photography, digital filmmaking and animatronics
- Develop a character and story
- Create original, individual STEM-based media projects
- Participants will have access to their original work at the end of the workshop
FACETS Film Immersion (In Person)
An intense, introduction for students age 14-18 to the history and language of film, and the techniques and process of filmmaking. Film educators and filmmakers provide participants with a foundation in film concepts, language, structure, and production. Participants learn film analysis, vocabulary, history, and work in teams to conceive, write, storyboard, act, shoot, and direct a short film. For grades 8-12. (25-hour program time)
Schedule
- Day 1: Intro, General Media Education, Vocabulary, Story, Types of Shots
- Day 2: Story Development, Roles & Responsibilities, Film History
- Day 3: Pre-Production
- Day 4: Production Day
- Day 5: Editing
LEADING FILM DISCUSSIONS WITH YOUR STUDENTS
2-3 hours | $500 for 20-25 or $25/participant
In this 2-hour workshop participants will learn the basics of how to deconstruct a film with students through discussion in the classroom. Centering on the ‘parts of a movie’ or ‘elements of filmmaking’ we will touch on story/theme, message, characters, setting, cinematography, and sounds and how choices made by filmmakers when creating a film ultimately affect the audience; how they feel and what they think. Short film examples from the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival’s year-round screening programs will be shown and used for discussion. Themes could include bullying/respect, immigration, overcoming loss/adversity, special needs, race and identity, Latinx culture, LGBTQA+
We will screen 3 films & discuss them together as well as examine ‘types of shots’, camera angles, and camera movements and the effect shot choices have on storytelling.
Custom PD Workshop
Our educators can custom build a media arts professional development course just for you. Contact us today to start the conversation.