Making Movies: Nerd Ninja
It never ceases to amaze me what Grade 4 and 5s can do. In 2011/2012 the L.C.S. Movie Making Cluster (part of weekly Enrichment Clusters) wrote and filmed their own movie, Nerd Ninja. Here is the trailer they made for the movie.
First of all, the ten Grade 4 and 5 year students, brainstormed ideas for a movie and comedy was chosen. They then started thinking up ideas for the film and the students suggested a movie about a nerd ninja. As they were wrangling with the story line, and trying to get ideas for the script, we had mini lessons on movie making techniques, storyboarding and filming.
They used Celtx to write out the script and after sharing our ideas for the plot took different scenes to write. The script writing process took six hour and a half long sessions. This is what the 4th and 5th graders came up with:
Nerd Ninja Screenplay
In February , when clusters started gain, they reviewed the script and made some changes and then had a read through and then started filming!
Here are some photos of the process:
After many weeks of filming, including during the Easter holidays, and in an after school activity, we finally finished filming in April. Originally, I had hoped that the students would edit the film but alas we ran out of time and I ended up editing the film. I learnt a lot about using iMovie 11 and though it took hours, it was a very rewarding experience. It's far from perfect but for a first time effort to 'produce' a film I was pleased with my efforts.
Here is the finished product, I hope you enjoy it.
The Movie
To show the film we held a premiere in the school. Here are some photos of the prestigious event:
Premiere of Nerd Ninja
I think you'll agree, it's amazing what nine and ten year olds can do! It was a lot of work for all of us, but we all agreed it was worth it.
