Drama, Film, and Theatre Studies in the Classroom- Getting Started with Film - Martin Melarkey

David Putnam ( https://www.davidputtnam.com/)  invited Martin Melarkey to take part in a panel discussion with him at the Film Education at the Cork Film Festival last November and they work together to support the introduction new Film and Drama subject on the Leaving Cert. David recommended Martin to us to host this webinar.

This session is aimed at teachers seeking to take their first steps in introducing students to the creative possibilities of digital filmmaking. This brief introduction to the theory and practise of film will demonstrate teaching strategies for supporting your students to;

Learn the basic grammar of Film.

Develop a critical understanding of Film Language and the visual storytelling techniques that feature in contemporary cinema. The five core areas of Film Language that students need to become familiar with are;

-camera;
- editing;
- lighting;
- mise-en-scène; and
- sound (including music).

Gain technical and practical skills in all five areas of film language in order to script, storyboard, plan, shoot, edit and soundtrack their own short films or sequences.

Investigate and experiment with filmmaking techniques and take responsibility for the content of their work.

Develop creativity, teamwork and problem-solving skills.

Martin Melarkey is a founder member of the Nerve Centre in Derry and has been the centre’s Director since 1990. Martin is currently Chief Examiner of Moving Image Arts GCE, a digital film-making qualification which was established by CCEA (Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment) in partnership with the Nerve Centre and Northern Ireland Screen in 2003/4. Moving Image Arts GCE is currently being taught in over 100 schools in Northern Ireland and internationally. Martin has a background in film as both a programmer for the annual Foyle Film Festival in Derry and a producer on animated films such as The King’s Wake (Best Animation at the 2001 Celtic Film & TV Festival) and the Cu Chulainn animated series for BBC NI.