Next year, future film producers and film enthusiasts will be able to explore video through a new Aragon class: The Art of Video. The Art of Video is a film production class to be taught by photography teacher Nicholas Carrillo. The course will focus on a wide range of topics from storytelling to editing.
Carrillo explains, “We felt like we weren’t up to par in terms of the other schools and…it was simply the class the kids wanted. Since I’ve had the posters up, I’ve been getting a lot of interest in here.” Film classes are already taught at three other San Mateo Union High School District schools: Capuchino, Burlingame and Mills.
Some Aragon students who have taken film classes in middle school have expressed interest in continuing to learn about film. Freshman Scott Liu says, “I took two film classes in middle school, so I have some kind of background, but I’d like to take a high school film class.” In middle school, Liu particularly liked making silent horror films. He says, “I think dialogue distracts you from what the film is trying to convey—even though it can add something.”
Freshman Anjanette Gomez says, “I’ve always been interested in movies and things on YouTube since I was younger. When I see people’s videos on YouTube, I get interested in how they make their movies.”
“With our new building and new classrooms, we feel that hopefully by next year we can get enough interest to build at least one section,” Carrillo says, “And really that’s all we’re shooting for, one section. We don’t want to start too big. We’re going to start in steps.” In addition, juniors and seniors will be given priority to take the class for the first year. About 19 sign-ups are needed for the class to start next year, and there are no prerequisites to take the class.
One potential problem for the new film class is cost, as both software and cameras are expensive. While this problem is still being considered, it is most likely that five to ten cameras will be shared among students of the class, and students will work in groups on their film projects.
The film class fulfills a Career and Technical Education (CTE) requirement that will be added to the district’s graduation requirements. Starting with the class of 2016, Aragon students will be required to take a technology or vocational class for one year. Due to the 10 credits needed for the CTE requirement, the elective credits required for graduation will be reduced from 50 credits to 40.
Gomez thinks that the CTE requirement is a positive change and says, “[The CTE requirement] could be really good, so that you could be more diverse [in choosing classes] and learn… something new.”
One of the attractions of a film class is that it provides development for career-oriented skills. Carrillo adds, “Career Technical Education prides itself on getting students prepared for the work force, and I feel like this class can be a brief introduction into fields of employments and industries that really are invaluable.”
Liu explains his reasons for wanting to take the class, saying, “[I want to take the class] to get a [better] sense of what film is and different aspects of film: the editing process, the outlining process.”
The class is both technological and artistic. The curriculum includes composition, aesthetics, design, editing, camera angles and use of the equipment. Students who excel in English may like the course because it also teaches storytelling and script writing.
Carrillo says, “A lot of students feel like, ‘I can’t draw. I’m not a good artist.’ But really, artistry comes in many forms. And so, a lot of these kids have never even tapped into their film or their artistry as movie producers.”
