Students Making Films Newsreel  (.txt version)

[Audio: Patriotic marching music plays throughout; film projector sound in background]
[Video: countdown reel; cut to title, text on screen reading “Students Make Films (MCMXXXVIII)”; film clip of workers building roadway; cut to two clips of teachers in classroom]

Narrator: Americans are resourceful! In this period of challenge and strife, some men take to the streets to rebuild the nation. Others take to the schools to rebuild the youth and train them for the jobs of the future.

[Video: image of male student recording with film camera; cut to image of female student writing on clipboard and standing beside male student recording with film camera; cut to image of rowdy film audience, followed by footage from “Spinning Spokes” student film showing male student getting hit by car while carelessly riding his bicycle]

In this visual age, every young boy wants to be a cameraman, and every young girl wants to write film reviews. Instead of paying money at the theater to watch unwholesome films, today’s students are paying dues in movie clubs where they make their own morally uplifting educational entertainment.

[Video: image of male teacher examining a strip of film, surrounded by three male students; cut to clip of several children applauding in a line; cut to image of first page of Finch article, “Film Production in the School—A Survey”; cut to image of student working on film project; animation of globe depicts travel from Greenwich to Long Beach, followed by images of water faucet, boy drinking water, and baby taking bath, all from student film project referenced in narration]

The nation’s English teachers have stepped up to guide the youth in making their own educational films. And, the youth have responded with wild enthusiasm! A recent NCTE survey reports that over 172 schools across the nation have sponsored student film productions all the way from Greenwich, Connecticut to Long Beach, California. Students in Greenwich made an informational film about how the local water company works to keep everyone safe—even the most delicate among us.

[Video: animation of globe depicts Akron, followed by image montage of “Health in Akron” student film, including title screen, shirtless male student, meat inspection, and a girl being examined by pediatrician; animation of globe depicting Denver, followed by clips of food service, money placed in hand, and a stock market session]

Students in Akron, Ohio investigated the health of their community—showing how physical fitness activities, rigorous meat inspection, and public health vaccination keep their community thriving. Students in Denver, Colorado in a Unified English and Social Studies program made films about local food and banking operations—showing how these titans of industry benefit us all.

[Video: clips of bookmaking, followed by clip of woman distributing books to students; animation of globe depicts Louisville and Atlanta, followed by still of “Lady of the Lake” student film, and footage of knights riding on horseback]

Although many student films showcase today’s civic concerns, the classics have not been overlooked. English students in both Louisville, Kentucky and Atlanta, Georgia have made their own photoplay versions of Sir Walter Scott’s famed poem, “The Lady of the Lake.”

Truly, filmmaking is the holy grail that English teachers have been seeking that can make all students fall in love with literature again.

[Video: montage of images depicting male and female students involved in film projects, with boys handling film equipment and girls on the sidelines performing written tasks; montage of images depicting film equipment and movie night poster, followed by clip of Spanky throwing money into the air wantonly]

New research by William Lewin is revealing that both boys and girls have unique roles to play in the cinematic arts. Boys, naturally mechanical, will enjoy learning to operate the camera and projector. Girls will prefer watching photoplays and reading movie magazines. Research suggests that both boys and girls wish to learn to direct movies, though further study is needed to tell if girls are truly up to the task.

Film equipment remains expensive in these difficult times, but industrious students overcome this hurdle by forming dues-paying clubs, holding bake sale fundraisers, and charging a dime a head for public screenings. Of course, students of more refined breeding need only to ask Father for all the equipment support required.

[Video: animation of globe depicting travel across the country; transition to image of male student recording with film camera]

Student film-making is still in its infancy, but new schools are joining the effort every day. With student movie clubs and English teachers leading the way, we look forward to a future where not only is there a chicken in every pot, but a camera in every classroom!

[Audio: background music fades out; projector sound ends]
[Video: text on screen reads “The End—Universal International Newsreel”]

Media assets used in this production listed in Production Notes.