Moviemaking for the environment
 Martin Scorsese didn’t direct his first film until he was in his 20s, so the girls in Class 2 already have a leg up on him. They recently began directing their first movies, though their cinematic efforts focus on cleaning up New York, through recycling, as opposed to exploring its grittiness.
As Chapin’s official Lower School recycling ambassadors, whom do you think the Class 2 girls got to star in these productions? Experts, of course: themselves.
In an unusual twist, these student filmmakers had no need for movie cameras or sets. With the help of technology teacher Mary Beth Burns, they learned how to use iMovie software and the cameras embedded in their MacBook laptops to record themselves delivering public service announcements about the benefits of reducing and reusing waste.
The girls worked in pairs, because moviemaking is a collaborative effort. Each pair worked with one laptop, and the internal camera allowed them to watch live video of themselves as they rehearsed their parts. Once the girls knew their lines, they took the plunge and hit the computer’s record button. “Reduce! Reuse! Recycle!” one pair chanted, pumping their fists in choreographed unison. Another duo took a more practical approach, explaining how to turn a used milk carton into a birdfeeder.
Regardless of their approach, the girls’ information had to be solid. “We’re going to post these on the Web site, and people are going to come to them for information about recycling,” Mrs. Burns reminded them.
The students heeded her advice: They made multiple takes and explored different camera angles, seeking to convey their message in the best way possible. Their editing process, which they’ll complete in the next two weeks, will also embody their goal of environmental stewardship. As a laptop requires no plastic film to make a movie, Chapin’s recycling ambassadors will not be generating any waste that ends up on the cutting room floor.
|
