Creative Cinema Instruction During COVID-19

As NOVA has been thrust into a fully online environment, many were unprepared for remote instruction and learning. And, not every class would seem to lend itself to online instruction. However, circumstances beyond our control have forced us to adapt to this new environment, and many are finding unique benefits in this new structure that cause them–and their students–to think more creatively and innovate together so everyone can succeed in this new reality.

The following was a brief anecdote of how one Cinema Arts instructor has adjusted her expectations and adapted her class to ensure her students can document the times, no matter what they are.

Shifting to remote teaching, I honestly did not think I would enjoy it, but I am actually getting into it; learning new ways of delivery, etc. I am actually excited and trying to excite our students in the process. I decided to hold classes live as I know our students will need a sense of the familiar in this time. I also made them get on video so that we can see each other. I start off with a “check in time” where they just vent and share what is going on in their lives. Then we get to business. 

Modifying the assignments was okay for the most part. The Film Directing class was a little more challenging. They had to shoot a short film in small groups. I am happy to report I found a creative way of having them do the assignment without getting into groups. I am having them do a short film using their phone to document the impact of COVID-19 on their household. They can do it as a documentary, a narrative fiction or an experimental (more artistic) expression. I told them not to just look at this project as just an assignment. As filmmakers, they are in a place and time in world history where something has impacted the entire world! That is what they were to document. I wasn’t sure how they would take the pep talk, but they got excited. One student immediately said he will do his on the madness around toilet paper.