Age: 13+ Upper Elementary, Middle School, High School 1 Full Credit
Takes students through a unique journey starting in the late 19th-century when film was invented, then guides them through the steps first directors took in creating the modern language of film. The goal of the class is to teach students how to make films one step at a time.
Filmmaking from the First Directors teaches the basics of filmmaking and early film history. It takes students through a unique journey starting in the late 19th century when film was invented, then guides them through the steps first directors took in creating the modern language of film.
Each lesson includes watching a series of lectures on history and production basics then viewing original films. Assignments will include making a variety of short films which will be uploaded for class comments and review. The goal of the class is to teach students how to make films one step at a time.
This class is taught by Thomas Purifoy, Jr., producer, director and writer of Is Genesis History?, Modern Parables, and Economics for Everybody. He has produced a variety of dramatic and documentary shorts, and is a student of film history. He believes merging these two areas is the perfect way to learn how to make films.
A few things to note:
- This class requires a lot of work. After the first lesson, the lessons progressively become more difficult and take much more time to complete. The average time for students to complete a lesson is about 3 weeks.
- There are no grades in this class. It is simply pass/fail based on completing all the work. (It’s more like real life where no one gives you a grade for the films you make.)
- This is a class for people wanting to learn how to make films. It is not a film appreciation class. It is about the practical basics of filmmaking.
Thomas will not be reviewing assignments in this class. Instead students will have the opportunity to share their video assignments with the class for group feedback and critique. The class is about making sure students understand the technical and artistic basics of filmmaking. That is best accomplished by studying the great filmmakers and attempting to do what they did.
This class is not tied to a certain weekly day or time, but can be taken at the student’s speed.
Equipment required: Digital Video Camera (a smart phone or simple digital camera is fine), Tripod, Computer with Editing Software (iMovie, or any free editing software is fine), Internet Connection.
- 14 Lessons (incl Introduction)
- 27 original films from the greatest directors of the silent era
- 13 filmmaking assignments
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Course Content
About Instructor
Thomas Purifoy, Jr.
A creative filmmaker who develops unique learning resources intended to advance the Kingdom of God. Thomas helped develop a classical-based curriculum, and taught philosophy, Old Testament, film and history at the American School of Lyon, France. Thomas studied English at Vanderbilt University and is a former Officer in the US Navy. He currently oversees Compass Classroom and Compass Cinema.
5 Courses
