First Light is now delivering creative filmmaking workshops run by professional practitioners for schools

First Light in the Classroom (FLIC) delivers professional filmmaking workshops in schools that support whole curriculum learning, enhance cross-curricular skills and improve motivation, behaviour and attainment.

FLIC workshops include:

• Support from a CRB checked filmmaker professional;
• Access to high quality digital production equipment;
• Access to free filmmaking CPD resources to help improve film and digital media skills for teachers;
• Specialist exhibition and distribution support to help get your work seen by a wide audience;
• Marketing support to celebrate the achievements of the pupils involved;
  Eligibility for the First Light Awards, the UK’s most prestigious young film and media event.

In addition, we can also provide CPD support for teachers that want to learn how to lead on their own film projects with their pupils.

Select from one of the standard workshop packages or design your own. Starting from £490 (plus VAT) for a daylong workshop, FLIC workshops can be made bespoke to suit a variety of budgets and needs.

Film in a day workshop

This one day workshop is for teachers that want to give their pupils an introduction to the different aspects of film production whilst developing new skills and interests. You really can make a film in a day!

School term filmmaking workshops

This package is best suited to teachers who want to use filmmaking to support the teaching of a particular curriculum topic or enrichment activity over the course of a term.

Extracurricular filmmaking workshops

We can also deliver more informal sessions as part of after school clubs. During these sessions, pupils can work together to develop their own original film ideas, take a lead on the technical aspects and create their own film.

Using a social enterprise model, all profits generated from FLIC will enable First Light to support even more young people across the UK to engage in creative media activity and to create opportunities for them to enter the creative industries.

Filmmaking can be a transformative tool for developing a range of skills for young people. Don’t take our word for it- many teachers who have been supported by First Light to deliver creative media activities in the classroom have witnessed a wide range of benefits for their pupils.

Mark Gaynor, James Brindley School, Birmingham

The uplift in confidence, their willingness to share ideas and vocalise opinions subsequent to the project and the knock on effect of almost the entire year group now wanting to get involved in Media now they’ve seen what it’s about are just a few of the positive effects of the project.

Lynda Noble, Heymann Primary School, Nottingham

Some children are put off literacy because it is very reliant on writing. Filmmaking allows children to tell stories but in a different format where the emphasis is not on writing so still are able to develop their literacy and communication skills but in a different way.

Barbara Broccoli, Producer, James Bond Films

Filmmaking is an amazing, transformative tool in the classroom.

A recent survey carried out by First Light backed up these comments, the results of which can be viewed in the attachment section on the right.

We are now taking bookings to deliver workshops for the academic year 2011/2012. To find out more about how FLIC can benefit your school, contact workshops@firstlightonline.co.uk or call 0121 224 7511.

Not a school but want support in delivering filmmaking workshops with young people?

First Light are able to offer workshop packages for a range of different youth organisations including youth offending teams, youth clubs and those that deliver half term activities. The case studies for First Fright and Wakefield Youth Offending Team will give you an idea what else we can offer. Get in touch to find out more about how FLIC can support you.

Movies

• 

  Don't Go Down Through the Woods

  PLAY What does this mean?

  Dan and Amy are late setting off with a basket of buns to visit their sickly Grandma. They are running so late they decide to take a short cut through the woods. However the woods are enchanted and full of magical creatures, scary monsters and hungry wolves. Will they ever reach Grandma’s house?
  Length 05’ 00”
  Aged 6-7

• 

  Enterprise at St Joseph's Special School

  PLAY What does this mean?

  This film was made by young people aged between 7 and 19 from St Joseph’s Special School and College under the guidance of professional filmmakers in a 5-day filmmaking workshop.

  St Josephs Specialist School is a co-educational residential and day school for children with moderate, complex and severe learning difficulties. This film explores Enterprise at the school, what specialist activities are on offer for students, and how students with needs are catered for in a fun, beautiful and engaging environment.

  Length 7’02’‘
  Aged 7-19.

• 

  How the Draig Came to Fly for Wales

  PLAY What does this mean?

  A local myth is told to a class of children, they are taken back to a time when a village lives in fear of a dragon and anything that goes wrong, and villagers blame the dragon. With their firewood ruined and facing a long cold winter, the villagers hatch a plan to capture the dragon to keep it as a slave to light their fires. Nia, a young girl is selected to capture the dragon….
  Length 10’ 03”
  Age 5-6

• 

  It's Not The Dinners...

  PLAY What does this mean?

  Our children’s own stories of unique moments and events where their friends, teachers and staff have done something special to help: Maggie couldn’t speak English, Ryan didn’t speak at all, Katy lost her nerve and Joe had the most devastating experience of all.
  Length 05’ 11”
  Age 6-11

• 

  James Brindley is Awesome!

  PLAY What does this mean?

  FLIC ran a competition asking pupils around the UK to tell us what is great about their schools. The entries were judged by education professionals and the winner was announced as James Brindley Hospital Special School in Birmingham. Pupils at James Brindley were provided with professional support and equipment to bring their ideas to life on the big screen.

• 

  One Week Later

  PLAY What does this mean?

  This school based drama cleverly details intricate events that are played out in just one week of the school year. Told through the eyes of a younger pupil, he surveys the relationships his brother, Sonny, has with his peer group. As revelations and misunderstandings occur, due to the misuse of the ubiquitous mobile phone, the week’s events come to a climax on a Friday afternoon.
  Length 09’37”
  Aged 13-15

• 

  The Legend of the Lake

  PLAY What does this mean?

  The Legend of the Lake was made by pupils at East Harptree Primary School as part of their local Chew Valley Lake Odyssey project which explored local history through the arts.