Step 1: How to promote your film: Movie posters

Ask for a student volunteer to read the blurb on the top of the movie poster page of the production notebook.

“Movie posters or film posters were created to advertise films. Movie posters contain text and imagery related to the film. For example, the title of the film is usually in large letters and the main actors are often listed. The imagery is created to grab people’s attention and get them interested in seeing the film.” 

Have a discussion about movie posters; ask students what kind of information should be on a movie poster. Make a list of the important pieces:

• The title of the film; make sure it is bold and clear
• Names or images of characters in the film
• Key facts about the story 
• A “hook” to grab people’s attention
• Dramatic art and lettering

1. Show examples of movie posters and ask students questions about what content they see and what hooks they find effective in creating excitement in viewers.
2. Outline the movie poster assignment: Every student will make their own individual movie poster and should be working on it when they are not involved in the editing. 
3. Students should keep in mind that only one person can have their hands on the keyboard at once, but everyone in the group has a voice in the editing of the movie.

Teaching Tip: Art supplies for movie poster are set up on a table for everyone to access.

Step 2: iMovie

Open the program iMovie on a laptop. Demonstrate to students how to import video and stills into a folder on the desktop. Talk about how to do voice-overs, and how to add audio and music to their films. Reference the PN for clear instructions. 

Ask students, where in their story should they emphasis through music? Show students how to add text, and how long the average viewer needs to read the text before the next clip. Have students brainstorm where they should add text to their stories and why.

Teaching Tip: Have quiet spaces available for the groups that need to do voice-overs or narration.

Step 3: Getting to work

Hand out the cameras, cords, and laptops to each group.

Students should break into their groups and work on editing, and/or movie posters. Once the films are finished, ensure that each group watches their final version, before a Teaching Artist exports them for the showcase. The completed movie posters will also be collected and displayed at the showcase.

Looking Ahead:

• Share with students the date and time of the scheduled showcase event.
• At the showcase, have a wrap up/ feedback session where the students can openly and in a constructive way discuss the project and their reflections on the whole process. Have questions ready to use as prompts to begin the discussion.