BUFFALO, N.Y. — It's a relatively new program for students in the Buffalo Public Schools, but already they say they're seeing a lot of benefit from it.
The course of study is Cinematography. And it involves much more than just learning how to operate a camera.
2 On Your Side recently visited a classroom at PS 156 Frederick Law Olmsted School, one of several schools where a cinematography class is being offered to pupils enrolled in the Student Technology Leadership Program.
Students collaborate on various types of productions and take on different roles in each of them.
Junior Adnan Hossain was behind the camera as the director of photography for the student's latest production on the day we visited.
"I plan on possibly, in college, going in for business and the side of promotions and marketing...working with video and making social media ads and that sort of thing as it becomes more important in today's age," he said.
Junior Izeal Bullock plans to study sports medicine but still sees value in this course in meeting his goals.
"This can really help me with my communication and my patience with other people and being open to learning other people's experiences or just other people's knowledge in general," he said.
The course is in just its second year and is taught by several instructors, including Kezia Pearson, the digital media specialist for the Buffalo Public Schools.
"They learn leadership roles, they learn about perspective, and they learn to analyze text which is extremely important in other classes," said Pearson, when ticking off the benefits of the course.
Learning through a different lens
In many traditional classroom settings, the teacher instructs students about a subject they have no prior knowledge of.
However, as one might imagine when it comes to technology and video, particularly involving young people, this is a class where the teacher is learning from the students as well.
"Absolutely," said Pearson. "And they'll go out and do their own research on it and they'll come back and tell you a thing or two."
For Pearson, a 25-year veteran teacher, that is something to be encouraged.
The students come from a variety of backgrounds and may know each other, at least not know each other very well, when the course begins.
Lots of lessons beyond getting the perfect shot
"I think what the students are also finding out is that there are people they wouldn't normally have a conversation with who they are now starting to work with...and enjoying their company."
And, even if the students weren't to particularly enjoy the company of those they are working with, Pearson says that's an opportunity for learning as well.
"That's extremely important, As you find on any job you go in, you might not like your co-worker, but you have to learn to work with them. that is a skill they can use in their future."
There are a lot of other life and job skills the students are learning that became apparent while we watched them shoot a short film they'd written together.
They included, but were limited to, collaborating and listening to other ideas, attention to detail, and working under deadline as students rushed to complete a scene before the chimes went off signaling a class change.
"Let's get this shot in, in the next minute or two because the bell is going to ring again," Hossain could be heard to say, as he urged actors to get into place before another take.
Students also learn the importance of sticking to a task and seeing it through until it's satisfactorily completed, as they did each time the inevitable "cut" rang out, and an adjustment in lighting, sound, continuity, or dialogue was made.
Check out their work
The students have also produced a series called "Teen Talk", and another called "Wednesday with Williams", which is a production featuring Superintendent of Schools Tonja M. Williams.
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