CREATIVE DEVICES

In my last column, I went through the lessons, apps and techniques I use in my Media Arts syllabus to teach upper primary students video production. In that piece, I said that what I ultimately wanted to do was to turn students from pure consumers of video into creators and, ultimately, critics. Once you get a feel for the process of creating a film, you can watch a movie (even if it’s a short YouTube clip) and start to appreciate how much work, time and effort goes into it.

Occasionally, when there’s time, I like to show students some YouTube clips so we can discuss that process. Some of my favourites are by Natalie Tran, a hugely successful YouTuber from Sydney. She has made a name for herself by creating observational videos about her life. What makes them special is that she plays all of the characters in her skits (sometimes, through split-screen technology, three versions of her appear in the same shot). Her videos are extremely clever, and quite funny – I would say they are appropriate for all ages, although older kids might ‘get’ the humour more than younger ones.

I am fully aware that Prep students think Media Arts means playing games on an iPad (or other handheld device) … In fact, as with anything in Media Arts, in every lesson they are making something.

I am fully aware that Prep