This past weekend was the ISTE Creative Constructor Lab where educators gather to tinker, try and create media-rich projects with cutting-edge technologies. I am honored to be part of the amazing educators presenting during this virtual lab to share ideas that inspire creativity, innovation, and invention.
The last day of the conference I presented about the power of incorporating short videos and movie making to promote student engagement. Educators were encouraged to try one of these fun movie magic projects and make a quick video to share with the CCL community! Here are some of the movie projects shared:
I. CLONE YOURSELF — Ever wanted to know what it would be like clone yourself multiple times and do fun things together?
Materials:
- iPhone or iPad
- Ghost Lens app
- A tripod or a place where the camera can be propped up and not moved AT ALL.
- Tape or something to mark the floor
- A person or very cooperative pet
Directions:
- Plan out your split screen by taking a piece of paper and splitting it into two. Assign what one clone will do on one side of the frame and what the other clone will do on the other side.
- Practice and time it out to see how long it will take. You will need to do both sides, film it at different times, it will look like it’s happening at the same time.
- Place the camera on a tripod or propped up where it won’t be moved!
- Divide the frame into two or three by placing markers on the floor (tape is a good idea). We recommend starting with one marker in the middle of the frame to divide the image in two. *Note: Marker is there so the subject knows where not to cross. If you cross, you will disappear so be careful!
- Open up the Ghost Lens app.
- Choose the template where it divides the image in two vertical sections.
- Film yourself twice.
Idea Starter:
- Start sitting on one side of the frame reading or doing an activity.
- Look up at one point frustrated and go back to doing your activity.
- Now film the second half by coming in from the other side of the frame being noisy and trying to get the attention of your clone. You can either walk out or stay in the frame giving up.
Helpful tip! Go behind the scenes of The Parent Trap (1964) using the split screen technique to clone the actor, Hayley Mills, as identical twins. Watch it HERE.
II. BOSS BATTLE VILLANS – In gaming, a “boss” is a villain who the hero must defeat to save the day. Think of the monster at the end of each level in the original Super Marios Bros. who must be defeated before moving to the next level.
Materials:
- Digital Device
- Snapchat app
- A tripod or a place where the camera can be propped up and not moved AT ALL.
- Any necessary props
Directions:
1 . Plan out who is your boss battle character. You can choose to browse the different filters on Snapchat under “Explore” to find a “boss” students will battle.
Need more inspiration, check out @thebesteducator on Instagram to see the awesome bosses he has created for his 5th grade students.
2. Collect necessary props or costumes to create an engaging profile.
3.Practice and time your boss introduction.
4. Film and and share your intro boss video when students compete in their next boss battle.
| Gamification Note – Boss Battles are fun ways to prepare your students for tests and quizzes and assess their learning. They are meant as a way to review for formative assessments during class, and students answer questions out loud in the classroom. Boss Battles can be created as a whole class game on Google Slides or Powerpoint or can be individualized self paced Google Forms set up as a Quiz. |
III. MOVIE MAKEUP MAGIC — Ever want to learn movie-make-up magic to create fake bruises and more? Check out this tutorial to learn how to create bruises, cuts, and gashes that will scare your friends and family. Try them out on your yourself or your family members and create a portfolio with four or more examples of your work.
Here are some other videos to help you with your own makeup special effects:
IV. BACKWARDS MAGIC — Some of the best special effects are done just by reversing movie footage without any CGI or green screening. Using this trick of showing footage in reverse creates some of the most jaw-dropping moments you will ever see. How would you like to defy gravity? Make an object fly into your hands, or have your hair instantly dry after being totally wet?
Materials:
- iPhone or iPad
- App for iPhone / iPad: Reverse Vid: Play it Backwards
- App for Android: Reverse Movie FX
- Props Ex.) Hat, jacket, stool, water, paper, pencil etc.
Directions:
- Plan out a movement where the end is the beginning and the beginning is the end. *Check out the “Backwards Movement Ideas” below for some ideas.
- Grab a prop(s).
- Open up your app, film your movement, and then reverse it.
Backwards Movement Ideas:
- Shake off a hat from your head and make sure to film the hat landing on the ground. *The hat will fly from the ground onto the head.
- With parents observing, jump from a low stool to the ground *You will look like you are floating up onto the chair.
- Film a few seconds of yourself with dry hair looking into the camera then have someone, or yourself, pour water over your head. *It will look like the water is pouring back into the container and you become instantly dry.
- Write something on a piece of paper *The pencil will “eat” up the words or drawing.
- Now come up with your own!
Backwards Magic in Action!
Watch this lovely story about a lonely man trying to connect with someone in a backwards world in the short film, Love in a Backwards World
The Teaching Factor 