September News 2011

September 8, 2011 | Forward to a colleague

Welcome and Introduction to the Editor

Welcome to the brand new and shiny FilmEdu site. We are very excited about it.

Like MediaEdu and EnglishEdu, we will be bringing you a wealth of services including online resources, revision courses for schools, irevise, itraining and consultancy. Our services improve student outcomes and enable teachers to construct engaging, well-planned learning. FilmEdu will personify this.

I have taught Film Studies, English and Media in a range of schools in England. I have taught different specs to very different students and have always felt there has been a lack of support and subject specialism for all three subjects.

Setting up new courses, changing schemes of work and what can seem like meetings every night always meant it was hard to squeeze in time to surf for things to help my teaching. I went to MediaEdu as a Media teacher as I was disappointed by the vague resources for the subject elsewhere.

MediaEdu offered me the high standard of teaching resource I needed, without feeling I was just handing out worksheets. It gave me the confidence that once I had been informed via the site, I could inform my class and peers. I am hoping with FilmEdu we address this. I was asked to run Film Studies which can be pretty tricky for both non-specialist and experienced teachers of film in relation to which sites can help with lessons and subject content rather than just film reviews.

FilmEdu | Film Studies Resources & Subject Support

So what do we offer? Well, schemes of work and associated resources, teaching guides and all you need to plan outstanding lessons. But I thought we could do more…

We wanted to help you with expert 1:1 support. We have a few flashy things up our sleeves (watch this space), and have some online offline CPD services we can offer. As well as the workshops and consultancy we already have in place we want to offer online blog chats.

It is also worth noting that we will come to you for CPD / Revision sessions. We know how hard ‘Rarely Cover’ has made things so we want to do all we can to ensure you feel fully supported by FilmEdu.

I also wanted to give you a few nice things - because you are clearly a well-informed person (you are reading this after all).

So, when you subscribe to FilmEdu we are offering…

Cineclub Offer

3 for 2 year membership - saving you an amazing £500

10% off your first year’s membership - £50 saving

Link: FilmEdu | Cineclub Offer

National Media Museum | IMAX Offer

20% off IMAX screenings at the National Media Museum

Link: FilmEdu | National Media Museum IMAX Offer

I am also in talks with a few other places and will update you.

All new subscribers will be able to get these deals. Check out the blog for more information.

Free Training for FilmEdu Bloggers

Something we have been offering our EnglishEdu and MediaEdu family is the chance of FREE TRAINING. Yes, you heard correctly. We are offering a free half-day onsite revision / consultancy workshop for the best practice / teaching & learning activities and ideas shared on this blog.

If you have something to say about our posts, links or English / Media / Film sites PLEASE COMMENT!

We’ll review everyone’s contributions and the best contributor / contribution will get a FREE Onsite Revision / Consultancy Workshop as a thank you. Good eh? Find out about the workshops and consultancy by clicking on the link below.

Comments will be reviewed during the October half term and workshops can be booked from the 1 November 2011.

Link: FilmEdu Workshops & Consultancy

Film Distribution and Promotion in the Online Age

Apart from the BFI ones, it does seem that these high brow, red carpet moments are mainly for the industry, or fans happy to stand in the rain behind barriers for days they will never get back. However, if you go online it is all there and you can wrap yourself up in a red blanket.

So, are festivals still important / needed?

Nic Baisley asks this in his FilmSnobbery site.

‘There are thousands of film festivals of various sizes and popularity around the world, and several thousand more independent films are submitted to these festivals each year.

Filmmakers are hungry to get their movies in front of audiences and spend on average $40.00 per submission for the opportunity to have their film played to the public.

But are these festivals still relevant to today’s indie filmmaker engaged in the socially networked, audience connected digital world?’

If you are after information on Film Distribution, Promotion, Publicity / Marketing, check out these links on the site by Viki. They have all you need including relevant case studies (the Batman case study will definitely have your classes talking!).

Or if you are hosting a festival and want to tell us about it, post a note and share!

Non-Hollywood Case Studies

We are lucky to have a range of contributors with experience of not only teaching but Film Studies in particular. Viki Walden has uploaded the first few Non-Hollywood Cinema Case Studies to help you with GCSE Paper 2.

Viki Walden is an experienced Media and Film Studies lecturer and has taught on a range of courses including: Entry Level 3, BTEC Introductory, BTEC First, BTEC National, AS/A2 Media, AS/A2 Film, Extended Project and HNC.

She is a Film specialist with experience of both inner city further education and suburban sixth forms. She has been a lead teacher for A2 Film and has particular experience working with underachieving students to produce high level results, often well beyond their minimum target grades. She is most proud of her 2011 A2 Film results which included a previously E Grade student getting 100% in the A2 exam.

She has been a returning contributor to the BFI Education Programme INSETs, delivering a seminar on Borders and Belonging: Immigration Film in the UK at the 2011 Media Teacher’s Conference and has experience in the film industry. She has produced music videos for British bands Trauma Pet and Snuff Radio and three short films: Thou Shalt Not, Baby Snatcher and Slide Away. Viki is currently producing a million pound budget feature film to be set in Birmingham, developing two documentary projects and a music video for London based Illyrus and is writing a Dystopic television script entitled “The Isle”.  Alongside her production work, Viki is also a freelance writer specialising in educational material for Film and Media, a private tutor, an examiner and is available for consultancy, training and educational workshops.

Working Together + 24/7 Support

If you can’t find what you need let us know on Facebook, Twitter, FilmEdu’s Blog or by Email.

The benefit of these communities is that you get a say in what we do and how we do it.

It’s easy to send a tweet on Twitter, post something that’s on your mind on Facebook or comment on something you’ve seen on our blog.

We like to hear from you to check we’re developing resources and courses that save you time and improve your students’ results.  We have a very experienced team to help when you need it.

I look forward to seeing your posts and building the site with you.

Nicole Ponsford | FilmEdu Editor | Contact FilmEdu

Edusites Ltd [t] 01604 847689 [f] 01604 843220

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