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Queens Students Transform into School of the Dead
(Page 2)
JB: We are hoping to have a release date on June 19th, just after the 8th graders graduate. We are putting together a rough cut of the film to show to students and parents during a red-carpet event (we’re currently trying to find a theater to host the event). The final version of the film, with editing and special effects, will probably be completed over the summer. Once we have the final cut we will begin submitting it to student film festivals for next year (Jackson Heights has one in the fall). We’ll also provide a copy of the film to students who participated during the production.
MM: Do you think you’ll continue this moviemaking project with future classes? If so, would you make another zombie movie or would you be interested in tackling another genre?
CD: We will certainly continue to make movies with our students in the future. One of the great aspects of our grant is that it allowed us to buy the tools and equipment necessary to create films beyond this year. Most likely we won’t continue making horror or zombie films. We were thinking of starting up a program in our school to help students create short films (about two to three minutes in length) of high aesthetic quality to show during a film festival at the end of the year. This way they can take some of the skills we are teaching them and use them with more autonomy and creative individuality. We also have several ideas for larger projects in the future—perhaps a Junior Heist School movie that plays off of Ocean’s Eleven or something with science fiction. What we do want to stress is that the students are driving the ideas and genre-choices for our projects.
MM: Ultimately, what do you hope your students learn from this unique, hands-on experience?
CM: On a basic level, we hope that the students will realize how much they can accomplish together as a team with a common purpose. Moreover, this project was designed to enhance student learning by providing a practical application for a lot of the skills they have been learning in ELA, Creative Writing through the Media Arts. In turn, the construction of a film allows students to view films more thoughtfully and actively engage with new media.
Hopefully our students will have realized some of the alternative career paths that are out there for them to explore. Our wardrobe designer has been accepted to the Fashion HS in Manhattan. The greatest news of the year is that six of our students have applied and were accepted to the Middle School Film Festival program sponsored by the DOE and New York Film Academy this summer. The program will allow them to continue to hone their filmmaking skills by having them write, produce and film a short film for the fall.
MM: What advice might you offer other teachers interested in engaging students through moviemaking?
JB: Don’t be afraid to attempt something like this, even if you don’t know the technical aspects of film. Many kids are tech-savvy and will surprise you with how much they can adapt and add to the process. You don’t need to be a video pro, just a qualified shepherd. One of the great things about the medium is that it is already of high interest to students and teachers alike. Despite the visual emphasis of film, the process engages learners on many different levels, allowing them to activate the skills they are most comfortable with (acting, directing, storyboarding, screenwriting, soundtrack writing, blogging etc). Teachers should help students to find their niche through the process. Students need to find what motivates them the most. For our students it was horror; for others it may be something else. In any case, the process has been empowering for our students—they have not only controlled much of the story and visuals, but have also had a say in the directorial work and the wardrobe and make-up design. The project taps into that fantasy that most of us have to be realized and chosen for a part in a major film.
MM: Anything else you’d like to add?
CD: We are currently trying to book a red carpet event at a local movie theater, where students and their parents can dress up and view the film much as a major film would premiere. We would also encourage anyone who wants a more student-based and in-depth perspective on the process to visit our class blog at http://www.thezombiegroan.blogspot.com.
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COMMENTS | POST A COMMENT 
- Comment by jissell taveras on 6/11/09 at 1:30 pm
well i am part of the film and the experince has been great its like a once and a life time thing that not ever 8th grader will get....it’s really amazing
- Comment by damaris o. on 6/11/09 at 2:55 pm
It was an awesome experience to be part of the film and I can’t wait til it comes out. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. This have been a wonderful once in a lifetime opportunity
- Comment by Ms. Maharajh on 6/11/09 at 8:22 pm
How terrific! I am so proud of all of you in the Academy, and I am eagerly anticipating the red-carpet gala. Don’t forget to check out the “School of the Dead” front page article in the next issue of the “Pulitzer Times”!!!
- Comment by sherab on 6/18/09 at 6:42 pm
i am a part of this flim and wait to c the movie! its going to be awesome...ive always wanting to get into acting so this was a great start and who knows can maybe lead me to other opportunites...i will always remember the days of shooting...and i gotta tell ya its not that all fun and games...once we had to do a secene alot of times from many angles...but in the end i know all that will pay off! i cant wait!
- Comment by Ms. Russell on 6/19/09 at 9:06 pm
What a wonderful experience for your students! I wish there were more teachers like the three of you. Congratulations on the completion of the film.
- Comment by joanne vasquez on 6/19/09 at 9:52 pm
i THOUGHT THIS MOVIE WAS amazing I was so excited to see it I enjoyed it a lot I love my teachers so much thanks to them and us and jesus/god and amen this movie wouldn’t be possible. Tis movie was so super and scary the tralier was unbelieveable.I am glad we finished before the year ended.
- Comment by Audio Value on 6/23/09 at 10:13 am
The music production in the trailer is pretty good
- Comment by Dan on 6/23/09 at 10:55 am
Where is the movie! How about an upload to your site or even youtube?
- Comment by Jonathan Maberry on 6/23/09 at 11:41 am
This is great experience for kinds no matter what the subject. The fact that they chose zombies just means it’s a ton cooler.
- Comment by Tyrone on 6/24/09 at 7:45 pm
This is a very creative activity. Hats off to all of them.
- Comment by California Game Design College on 6/25/09 at 1:21 am
We put the emphasis on survival instead of attacking, beheading or spearing zombies, so there isn’t any of the sort of creative killing and head removal that you usually find in a zombie movie. Maybe we’ll save that for the sequel!
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Zombie films are going up in my country, too. It is joyful for me because i love zombie.
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I need a summary of ‘The Dead School’ by Patrick McCabe?
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i really find these zombie movies really sick.. i try to stay away from them!
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Really? i find them interesting… which ones have you seen so far? which one you hated the most?
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When asked what type of books should be added to the class library, horror books were on the top of most of the students’ lists
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After the movie is edited, a “red carpet” screening will be held followed by a Q&A;with the precocious cast and crew.
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When asked what type of books should be added to the class library, horror books were on the top of most of the students’ lists. The idea for a zombie movie started much later.
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The project has taken a full school year to create, including a lengthy period of pre-production in which the students began writing script ideas, developed fundraising projects and eventually storyboarded the final script.
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