# How a Film Is Made: teacher guide

## Delivery

Students complete the shared Production Readiness orientation first. Use the modules as a sequence of concepts, guided builds, crew sprints, checkpoints, and reflection. The final portfolio is assessed with the 100-point rubric; module checks are formative.

## Preparation

- Complete Production Readiness orientation.
- Use safe locations and approved contributors only.
- No weapons, stunts, pyrotechnics, vehicle work, unsafe heights, or hazardous locations.
- Tier A: one phone/tablet, headphones, basic editor, available light, safe classroom or approved location.
- Tier B: camera, tripod, portable recorder, microphones, basic lights, editing computers.
- Tier C: additional camera, controlled lighting, dedicated audio, color/QC display, and shared storage.

## Access and safety

Use the school-approved safeguarding, consent, privacy, copyright, risk, publication, and retention processes. The course supports private or local delivery by default. Give students equivalent off-camera, non-speaking, technical, editorial, research, access, and archive roles.

## Pacing

### Module 1: Find a feasible story and audience

**Workload:** 3 hours

**Checkpoint:** Retain story proposal, research/rights log, audience promise, and feasibility test.

**Teacher note:** Run the exercise with a low-risk fictional or rights-cleared scenario before students use their own stories or contributors.

### Module 2: Write and revise for the screen

**Workload:** 4 hours

**Checkpoint:** Retain script or treatment, table-read notes, revision rationale, and contributors/rights decisions.

**Teacher note:** Run the exercise with a low-risk fictional or rights-cleared scenario before students use their own stories or contributors.

### Module 3: Design the film visual and sonic language

**Workload:** 3.5 hours

**Checkpoint:** Retain look-and-sound plan, storyboard or shot map, reference frames, and access decisions.

**Teacher note:** Run the exercise with a low-risk fictional or rights-cleared scenario before students use their own stories or contributors.

### Module 4: Pre-produce the shoot

**Workload:** 4 hours

**Checkpoint:** Retain production book, schedule, safety gate, permissions plan, location plan, and contingency.

**Teacher note:** Run the exercise with a low-risk fictional or rights-cleared scenario before students use their own stories or contributors.

### Module 5: Rehearse camera, light, sound, and performance

**Workload:** 4 hours

**Checkpoint:** Retain rehearsal recording, camera/sound tests, room tone, fault analysis, and revised plan.

**Teacher note:** Run the exercise with a low-risk fictional or rights-cleared scenario before students use their own stories or contributors.

### Module 6: Complete principal photography

**Workload:** 6 hours

**Checkpoint:** Retain rushes, camera/sound reports, continuity log, backup evidence, and individual contribution record.

**Teacher note:** Run the exercise with a low-risk fictional or rights-cleared scenario before students use their own stories or contributors.

### Module 7: Edit picture and build the soundtrack

**Workload:** 6 hours

**Checkpoint:** Retain rough cut, notes, revised fine cut, sound decisions, color notes, and music rights record.

**Teacher note:** Run the exercise with a low-risk fictional or rights-cleared scenario before students use their own stories or contributors.

### Module 8: Make the film accessible and deliverable

**Workload:** 2 hours

**Checkpoint:** Retain accessible master, captions/transcript, credit check, QC sheet, poster frame, and archive manifest.

**Teacher note:** Run the exercise with a low-risk fictional or rights-cleared scenario before students use their own stories or contributors.

### Module 9: Screen, discuss, and convert work into career evidence

**Workload:** 1.5 hours

**Checkpoint:** Retain audience feedback, final credits, screening package, individual walkthrough, and career reflection.

**Teacher note:** Run the exercise with a low-risk fictional or rights-cleared scenario before students use their own stories or contributors.

## Completion gate

The final package must be reviewable by a second student or teacher, accessible through the appropriate alternative, rights-aware, safe to retain, and explainable in a short walkthrough.