Film

Tandem's unique and dynamic film program continues to grow and to produce award-winning films. Digital film classes begin in the basement digital film lab, complete with 10 state-of-the-art iMac computers and software such as iStopMotion, Final Cut Pro and iMovie. The classes may start in the lab, but filmmaking takes place all over the campus, limited only by imagination.

In Upper School Digital Filmmaking, students use a wide variety of techniques to explore and question the role of digital technology in our world. Students are immersed in all aspects of pre production, production, and post production. Utilizing our new Mac Lab, students learn how to create storyboards, become proficient with the camera, explore different lighting techniques, and edit on both iMovie and Final Cut Pro. Students are encouraged to work on both individual and group projects in the service of developing a strong sense of confidence and a commitment to the world community. Each student is required to make a short film to enter into the International Bridge Film Festival. We have also created our own production company, Sunny Dungeon Productions, which enables students to work on projects as a group, such as becoming the media arm of our school-wide mock elections, where they are encouraged not only to create political ads, but to think critically about how the media effects elections.

Middle Schoolers begin learning to use iStop Motion, and in 7th grade, they create claymation films. 8th graders learn the art of digital filmmaking by creating a film entry for the International Bridge Film Festival, a Quaker film festival. Films are either public service announcements or longer films that highlight the importance of a Quaker value or testimony.

Upper School and Middle School students who enter films in the competition travel to participate in the festival, which offers a full day of workshops followed by a judged screening of submitted films. The trip is a real highlight, and Tandem's students have won top prizes for several years. In 2009, 8th grade and Upper School filmmakers travelled to England to participate in the Bridge Film Festival.

Digital Film Class Syllabus  

Students script, shoot, edit, and produce their own films in digital film class.