What is Curricular Filmmaking?
Picture this - you're working on a classroom topic, and you want your students to engage with the topic in a fun way, but you also want to see evidence of their learning. Or perhaps you want to give your class space to research and explore new aspects of the topic for themselves. How can they do this in a way that keeps the focus on the curriculum, while also engaging learners of all abilities and ages? The answer is... Curricular Filmmaking!
Curricular Filmmaking is a versatile filmmaking activity that's rooted in a curriculum objective. Think of it as a supercharged, creative addition to your repertoire of classroom activities - one designed to engage all learners and level the playing field, no matter the topic! Filmmaking enriches and embeds learning in any subject while enhancing all-important life skills that can support learners beyond the classroom.
Films can be as simple as a single shot lasting seconds to a longer multi-shot film. It all depends on the objective you're focusing on and the learning you want to see from your class. Check out the example below to get a sense of what a curricular film could look like.
The filmmaking process was extremely beneficial for all involved. It was a great way to engage all ability levels and develop a range of skills.
Andrew Duggan, Teacher, Cranmore Integrated Primary School
History through Curricular Filmmaking
This film, titled How to Play Discus, supports the history curriculum in a fun way, using a news report approach to teach the audience all about the ancient Greek sport of discus, and encouraging the creation of your school's very own sports club.
Curricular Film of the Month
The benefits go beyond the curriculum too. Whether it's a news report on an historical event, a scientific process in the style of a round of Bake Off, or a study of local river formations for geography, students will be stretching their creative thinking and problem-solving muscles to organise their shoot, negotiate necessary props, and identify the shot types to best communicate what they want to say.
The entire process will also develop students' confidence, time management, teamwork, communication skills, and their attention to detail. And remember, the more practice you can give your students, the more effectively they'll be able to develop their skills.
And once you've created a curricular film, you can enter it into our Curricular Film of the Month competition, which aims to showcase the way learning comes to life through film.
See below for another example, which was submitted to us before our Curricular Film of the Month competition launched, and gives an insight into the creative potential that's possible when it comes to making films to support curricular learning.
Shakespeare through Curricular Filmmaking
Made by Jessica, from Market Deeping, Lincolnshire, this terrific example of curricular filmmaking is both entertaining, creatively made using stop motion animation, and educational, teaching the viewer some key facts about the life of William Shakespeare. This film was nominated at the Into Film Awards in 2020.
If this has whetted your appetite for curricular filmmaking, then please use this page to explore the relevant resources and articles that support this valuable way of engaging with the curriculum. And of course, don't forget to enter your films into our Curricular Film of the Month competition!