‘I got into Shakespeare when I saw a film version of it with Gandalf playing Richard III. When you watch a film, everything’s real, and you’re taken fully into that world.’ These are the words of actor Eddie Redmayne (Les Miserables) giving a ringing endorsement of the power of film to support all the good work that goes into the classroom.
More and more schools are opening their doors to the power of the ‘movie’ and to respond to this demand, a new film learning programme from education charity Into Film has been launched, giving all UK children the chance to learn through film.
The See, Think, Make Imagine learning programme will enable thousands more children and young people to experience film and the moving image creatively and critically, as well as learning about the film industry and careers within it.
Into Film CEO Paul Reeve said: ‘Film is the richest of educational resources: because of its extraordinary production values in which art, science and technology meet; its synthesis of art forms to tell compelling stories; and the enormous historic, literary, geographic, linguistic, cultural and social value and relevance these stories embody, which speak across age, class, gender and background.’
Resources for schools include: • Free curriculum-linked and enrichment teaching resources tailored to fit a broad range of subjects and themes. This includes an exploration of Fairy Tales, Staying Safe Online and Dickens On Film;
• Training and CPD both online and face-to-face in filmmaking skills, teaching about film, and using film and film-based resources in the classroom to support learning across the curriculum. These will be delivered in a variety of formats including courses, workshops, downloadable information and intensive training webcasts, and developed in collaboration with specialist partners such as Aardman Animations Ltd;
• Film-watching with post-screening discussions and Q&As;
• In November Into Film’s annual Film Festival will offer a packed programme of free screenings and associated events for children and young people all over the UK; • Filmmaking opportunities, include a series of hands-on filmmaking workshops, competitions, and scheduled visits to schools from leading filmmakers to help teachers and pupils to develop skills and feel supported through the filmmaking process; • Behind The Scenes giving access to the film industry. For all the info about it visit: www.intofilm.org.