Online Christian Filmmakers Academy: Tech Option for Homeschoolers
I have been, or can be if you click on a link and make a purchase, compensated via a cash payment, gift, or something else of value for writing this post. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
This post, Online Christian Filmmakers Academy: Tech Option for Homeschoolers, was made possible with an annual subscription to Online Christian Filmmakers Academy from Family Gravity Media, a division of Families For Christ Ministries, Inc.for review as part of the Homeschool Review Crew.
Technology is a hot subject area. Our society is quite dependent upon it and kids gravitate towards different aspects. For some of my boys, it is all about computers. However, I have a few who love to put together their own videos.
While you can hand a child a camcorder or digital camera that records footage, it is through instruction that you can help them get to the next level.
As a blogger, I’ve incorporated more video into my life. I’ve shared walk throughs of hotels where I’ve stayed this last year. And, I have done instructional footage on how to make a particular recipe or use some equipment.
Although it can be fun, video creation for the sake of creating video often has me feeling like something is lacking. Are we generating all this footage to just fill a spot on YouTube with no consideration of how it might help others?
When it comes to helping others, a very worthy goal is to lead them into a meaningful relationship with Christ. Whether it is someone new to Christian faith or someone who has lost their way and just needs to be re-centered, there is a definite marketplace for this.
Online Christian Filmmakers Academy is a place where you can be educated in the art of filmmaking while making sure you keep your eye on keeping your Christian faith in sight. Glorifying God is the ultimate goal.
About Online Christian Filmmakers Academy
This academy is the off-shoot of their Rocky Mountain Christian Filmmakers Camp held each summer. Not everyone can afford to travel for their weeklong hands-on camp. Plus, the week-long camp held in SW Colorado is capped at 12 participants! So, an online film school extends the manner in which this family can help many others join the world of Christian filmmaking.
Ken & Zack Lawrence are the father-son team who put this all together. They have both spent years working in the industry and have a heart for this outreach. They take turns with presenting the information in the online film school with Zach serving as the primary instructor. As Ken shares in the introductory video, this is all done for the glory of God.
You will find 5 Modules to the learning plan with a quiz at the end of each to assess your learning.
Module 1 – The Camera
Module 2 – Cinematography & Lighting
Module 3 – Sound
Module 4 – Pre-Production
Module 5 – Production
Each of those modules is further split into video lessons.
The comment section of each subsection provides a place to interact with the instructors and other students.
Students are encouraged to not just quickly go through the short videos. Rather, they should be taking time to put it all into practice. Even if that practice is how to change a lens on a DSLR camera. Or, make your own shoulder rig using PVC piping (instructions included in the course.)
At the end of each module, there is a quiz to assess learning. After completing the quiz, you can see the correct answer for each question along with how many you got correct. This is a great touchpoint along the path of learning and something that can be helpful when giving your student a grade for the class.
My Thoughts about Online Christian Filmmakers Academy
For this review, I am pulling together MY thoughts. While my boys are interested in video creation, I found it beyond challenging to get them to sit with me for the short video sessions in this class. So, I have been slowly going through the material on my own. After all, I know that I can use more guidance when it comes to creating videos. Especially, if I want to ensure I have my eye on the goal of glorifying God in all that I do.
As a parent (and in this case student,) I loved the shorter video segments. I liked that they start up front talking about different equipment options with the idea of a DSLR camera being adequate. We have a camcorder in the house as well as my husband’s DSLR camera. I’ve used both for video and was favoring the camcorder for many things. Now I am reconsidering as the DSLR allows you to change lenses.
Lighting is a key nemesis of mine here in Alaska. Even at the height of summer, the house is dark. Then there are the long dark days of winter fast approaching. The second module covers it in detail and is something I am taking my time working through. I know that many of my videos are lacking good light sources, so it really is relevant to me.
While the instruction keeps in mind a full film set, much of the information can be used by students or others trying to improve their video production abilities. I seriously doubt my boys or I will ever have a full-length feature film made. However, we can take the knowledge gained here to help us provide well done and relevant video content for readers of our sites.
Who knows, we might even use this all to pull together a family video to share with other family members. What an awesome legacy it could be for future generations!
Limited Time Offer to Save on Online Christian Filmmakers Academy
Through November 30, 2016, you can use the code FALLCREW16 to save $100 off the regular price of $299.
Have you ever incorporated technology into your homeschool plans?
Would this course appeal to your older kids?
Don’t just take my word for how we found this to be. Visit the Online Christian Filmmakers Academy post on the Homeschool Review Crew website to see what other homeschooling parents thought about this title and other grade level ones.
