Film and Television - Oaks Christian School

FILM AND TELEVISION

Objectives for Pathway

To prepare students for entry into the film industry and the nation's top film schools
To produce ethical artists mentored from a Biblical worldview
To provide practicum/internships opportunities with Hollywood production studios
To broaden students' insights and their compassion by thoughtfully considering the importance of story, human behavior and its consequences
To build resources for students to be prepared for the entertainment business

"Missperception" Full-Length Student Feature Film Premiere

Oaks Christian School continues to set the bar and innovate in the arts as one of the few schools nationwide to produce a full-length feature film completely directed, produced, and filmed by high school students.

"Missperception" had its long-awaited debut on May 18. The premiere was originally scheduled to screen at Regency Theatres last spring but was delayed over a year due to COVID-19. After searching months for venues, even outdoor ones with safety protocols, the film found its home in front of a live audience at Calvary Community Church.

Watch Film Below Read Full Story Here

The Acting Concentration
The Acting for the Camera concentration will provide opportunities for serious acting students to deepen their acting technique by developing the skills needed for on-camera performance. Class work will focus on the acting process, not just the result. Class work will culminate with work-in-progress presentations and recorded projects in collaboration with the film production class.

Scene study will continue with an emphasis on script analysis requiring the creation of actor’s written notes, character study, and scored script.

Through this record and playback class the student will study the fundamentals of focus, preparation, presence, and the importance of making strong choices. Students will learn and present monologues and scenes, with research and preparation required as homework. They will write analyses of the characters and evaluations of their work. In addition, students will study the ‘business of acting’ including self-recording audition methods and cold-reading techniques on camera.

The Production Concentration
The foundation of film-making begins with story. Through hands-on workshops and partnerships with industry professionals, film students will dive deep into the art of storytelling, including structure and character development.

Through the production of their own unique stories, students will discover their voice through the creation of multiple shorts and music videos, to longer projects ranging from documentaries to feature length films. Students will submit to festivals around the country and experience the Sundance Film Festival for inspiration from the best independent filmmakers in the world.

Intro to Digital Recording

This semester-long class is the exploratory and entry level of the digital recording medium. The Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) format of Soundtrap will be explored. Soundtrap is a versatile DAW that works as an app on any platform (Apple or PC) and on any device from a laptop to a cell phone. Students will be introduced to Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) and audio loops. Students will explore the platform through creative introductory projects such as podcasts, project based learning and collaborative compositions. Students will learn how to convert their projects to mp3’s. Additionally, this class will prepare students for entry into Beginning Digital Recording.

Theatre l

Open to all students, this course is designed for students with little or no acting experience. Students will study many aspects of theatre arts, including the language of theatre, improvisation, dramatic structure/interpretation, scene study, characterization, and voice control for the stage. Major emphasis will be on the development of acting skills, achieved through a variety of techniques and exercises designed to give the student a wide range of classroom and performance experiences. The course will adhere to the National Core Arts Theatre Standards.

Acting for the Camera l

Students in this course will have significant acting experience or have successfully completed Theatre Arts 1. The Acting for the Camera course will provide opportunities for serious acting students to deepen their acting technique by developing the skills needed for on-camera performance. Class work will focus on the acting process, not just the result. Class work will culminate with work-in-progress presentations and recorded projects in collaboration with the film production class. Scene study will continue with an emphasis on script analysis requiring the creation of actor’s written notes, character study, and scored script. Through this record and playback class the student will study the fundamentals of focus, preparation, presence, and the importance of making strong choices. Students will learn and present monologues and scenes, with research and preparation required as homework. They will write analyses of the characters and evaluations of their work. In addition, students will study the ‘business of acting’ including self-recording audition methods and cold-reading techniques on camera.

Arts and Christian Ethics

Specialty Class (Film l, Choir, Dance, Improv)

Acting for the Camera ll

Students in this course will have successfully completed Acting for the Camera l. The Acting for the Camera ll course will provide opportunities for serious acting for the camera students to further deepen their acting technique by applying their skills to on-camera performances and projects. This class will work in collaboration with the OCS film class to develop and produce a 6-episode web series. This project will be an opportunity for acting students to further deepen their acting process and expand their knowledge of what it is to create truthful characters seen through the camera lens. In addition, students will further develop their understanding of what it is to develop compelling stories with on-going character arcs.

Marketing and Branding

Keeping up with the latest ways to market and brand one's art is a full time job. This class will focus on developing a student's personal brand including elements that make them unique as well as how to market themselves in our culture and the digital marketplace. We will explore: brand development, social media presence, A&R, marketing, PR, marketing, promotions (radio, print, TV, digital), digital marketing and media buying, stream strategy, creative services and design, and brand partnerships. With more and more artists in the market, this class is designed to give students a head start into the world of marketing.

Professional Development (Auditioning for Actors, Reel)

Professional Development classes are designed to partner with your track providing hands on opportunities to create and experience your field in a professional setting. While not all students will have internships, we will work to place as many qualified students as possible in real-world situations to allow them to learn alongside professionals. Also included are final techniques specifically needed in your area of study to move forward into the professional world and college.

Improv

Acting for the Camera ll and lll

Entrepreneurship and Business

The arts business (music industry, television, film and art) worlds have undergone extreme changes over the past few years, many of which have opened the doors for developing and growth of independent artists, bands and actors. This class will explore new trends in business for the arts as well as help develop entrepreneurial ideas that will help students create unique ways to grow their business of art. The class will explore: contracts, management, endorsements, tour management, installation management, agents, splits, copyright, licensing, independent artists and gallery installations. This course is designed for any artist who wants to turn their art into a business and will explore many aspects of starting, building and growing their art business. 

Internship

Film Foundations

This digital video course will provide students with a basic understanding of the technology and techniques used in film and explore ways in which it is created to achieve its desired effect on an audience. Learning the foundational principles of the production process, students will go from script to screen on a variety of short films. Upon completion, students will be able to demonstrate production skills and techniques, both in front of and behind the camera. Areas covered include script writing and storytelling, composition and movement, audio, lighting and more.

Film Appreciation

Film is the ultimate art form, combining elements of theater, photography and videography, music and literature. Students will be introduced to some of the greatest examples of each, as part of a crash course in film appreciation. Students will build on the knowledge acquired in Film Foundations while learning to self-advocate and market themselves. Partnering with local non-profit organizations, they will experience the real-world challenges of working for clients. Students will produce music videos, work with green screen, and continue to develop filming and editing skills, as well as work habits necessary for real-world employment.

Feature Film

This course is designed to provide each student with an extensive knowledge of film production and all its details. This includes directing actors, camera placement/movement, casting, and an in-depth examination of each crew position. The members of this class will make a full length feature film, written by Oaks students. Each student will serve as a member of the crew. It will be the responsibility of each crew member to fulfill the pre-production and production demands of their position.

Documentary for Social Change

This documentary video production course emphasizes nonfiction field production. The course combines theory, history and practice. Hands-on demonstrations, screenings, readings, lectures and discussion prepare students to produce a 20-minute documentary video about a social injustice in our community. Students gain production experience working individually and in groups. Classes include an emphasis on research, pre-planning and writing skills as integral components of video production.