Calling all our FG teachers!

koan · Post by **koan** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 12:53 pm

I know we have a bunch of them.

I'm a guest lecturer for two classes tomorrow. Talking about the film industry and showing some basic special effects makeup techniques for my friend who teaches Media and Communications classes. The older group is set to make short films of their own the younger class is working up to that.

How do I keep from talking at them and make sure they stay awake?

Post by **spot** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 12:59 pm

It depends on how big the class is. If you've less than 15 you can break it into 10 minute sections with practical hands-on question and answer gaps. How long are the classes anyway?

koan · Post by **koan** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 1:12 pm

I think it's about an hour and a half each. 20 kids in each.

I'm going to section it into groups of questions to ask them and topics to discuss. Not writing out what I want to say. Just main points.

Then there are two sections of practical application.

simulating casualties and creating character effects like facial hair.

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 2:42 pm

What age group?

Start out with something basic-nice little presentation of makeup in film through time-go from Frakenstein to the new stuff. (a powerpoint or video)

Make your points in the first 1/2 hour, and change gears every 20-30 minutes.

Pick out an eager eaxample-or avid talker-make them your first demo of makeup.

After that, you pick someone to do it to another.

1 1/2 hours will be gone like that.

:D

koan · Post by **koan** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 3:27 pm

Grade 11 and 12. She decided against the grade 10s as they are too far from actual 'hands on' stuff.

I'd like to keep it contemporary. Using examples from or discussing modern films.

Kathy Ellen · Post by **Kathy Ellen** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 3:29 pm

Hi Koan,

I'll put my 2 cents in........But, I have only taught the elementary grades; Grades 1 through 8, Their ages would be 7 yr. olds to 13 yr. olds. I've also given presentations to our faculty.

I think the best ideas to grab hold of our young ones is to be very dramatic and excited about your presentation. Try to come across as a "warm and personable speaker....one who exudes friendship and is approachable."

Kids and adults get bored very easily if the speaker is dull and seems disinterested in their presentation. Some were forced to attend the presentation.Visuals are FABULOUS for young people....they love Powerpoint and viewing slides.....any visual pertaining to your subject. As you know, some people are better at reading directions and others better when they see a visual object...props and pictures are great.

After you present your subject and tell a few little jokes you can put your group into mini groups and ask them to brainstorm and come up with 2 questions that are relevant to their lives. Then you can discuss the answers to their questions. You can break them up into groups a few times to let them chat about something they want to learn more about. AND, it's really nice when the speaker circulates around to all the groups and says a personal "hi" to the group, and perhaps answers a question. Making them think they're special adds a big hug for you, and they'll remember you because you touched them in some way. Adding your own personal stories also draws them in..........maybe a warm-up story before you begin your presentation. I always tell my "Broccoli" story on the first day of school, and it lightens things up a bit.

Maybe you can give them some web sites that are relevant to your subject.

MOST IMPORTANTLY, make sure that they hear you. Sometimes during a presentation the mike is so bad that the audience does not hear the speaker. Then people drift away or chat too much. It's so difficult when the speaker decides that she/he does not need a mike and walks through the audience and only a select group of people hear what's going on.

Leave a remembrance of yourself....short story, poem or something relevant to your subject.

Have fun during your presentation, and let them know that you've enjoyed their participation. Don't take anything personal. No matter how hard you try to please, there will always be some who could give a s*** about anything you say.

And lastly, at the beginning of your presentation give everyone a little, candy present, especially "BUBBLE GUM." Some studies have shown that chewing on a piece of bubble gun improves the "Thinking skills." :wah::wah: I think that bubble gum just makes one happy:-4

Hope all goes well:-4 Let us know....

koan · Post by **koan** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 3:34 pm

Love the joke idea. I hadn't thought of that. There are tons of film jokes!!

I'm not handing out anything edible... scary nowadays with all the allergies anyway... but I am handing out bits of FX wax for them to feel and play with then try to make a fake wound with it. So I'll do that earlier rather than later.

Thanks for the ideas!

Keep 'em coming

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 3:39 pm

Kathy has some great ideas-if there are computers in the classroom, you can put them to research websites. And if you are not into putting on the makeup, you can still bring in other things-hats, wigs, etc. and take a nice script they would like to read and act through. If you are returning for a second lesson, you can assign them something-like illustrating a specific makeup look for a scene from a film you will be discussing.

Kathy Ellen · Post by **Kathy Ellen** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 3:41 pm

koan;728407 wrote: Love the joke idea. I hadn't thought of that. There are tons of film jokes!!

I'm not handing out anything edible... scary nowadays with all the allergies anyway... but I am handing out bits of FX wax for them to feel and play with then try to make a fake wound with it. So I'll do that earlier rather than later.

Thanks for the ideas!

Keep 'em coming

Great.........have fun.

koan · Post by **koan** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 3:41 pm

They probably know more about computers than I do :p

It's a big part of their classes.

My friend teaches computers and media... all forms of expression. Studio recording, film, video, animation... you name it. She's top elective class at the school. Which makes it kind of scary to go in a be a guest lecturer :p

Kathy Ellen · Post by **Kathy Ellen** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 3:53 pm

koan;728419 wrote: They probably know more about computers than I do :p

It's a big part of their classes.

My friend teaches computers and media... all forms of expression. Studio recording, film, video, animation... you name it. She's top elective class at the school. Which makes it kind of scary to go in a be a guest lecturer :p

And you know what Koan, it is scary going into a class to be a guest lecturer as you're not sure of how the kids will receive you. I always do the 4 square breathing method before I'm "on stage..." ...breathe in, holding to count of 4, then hold your breathe for the count of 4, exhale to the count of 4, and then relax for the count of 4. Then put a smile on your face and know that you're an expert and know a hell of a lot more than they do. You'll have a wonderful day.

G-man · Post by **G-man** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 4:00 pm

You'll be great! They'll love you.

Just keep it open and loose and see how it goes... you're only trouble will be in keeping it short, as you have so much knowledge on the subject.

koan · Post by **koan** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 4:09 pm

I'm actually excited too.

I love being around kids and think I might get a lot out of it too. I had an idea for a way to end... wherein I ask them to explain something to me.... have to remember.

I think I wanted their views on violence in the media.

koan · Post by **koan** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 2:30 pm

Well, it all went successfully.

The kids had a blast making wax cuts and bruises on their arms and I showed how to do age effects on a volunteer from each class. Obviously only guys volunteered for that one.

Every one of them was being really careful to protect their work from damage at the end of the class and no one wanted to wash it off... so that's a good sign that they enjoyed the day. I had the older kids first, which was kind of good. They were more difficult to engage but it was good practice as the grade 11s were rowdier and there was a lot more of them.

I found out that one of the kids who ended up doing some aging on one side of the volunteer's face has ADHD and my friend was really happy to see him actually focus for the last half hour of the class while he was drawing and painting on his buddy.

Thanks for the suggestions!

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 2:33 pm

Kids like gummy bears.

Thats my advice.

Bring gummy bears.

koan · Post by **koan** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 2:34 pm

Pinky likes gummy bears too.

I should have brought her and given her the gummies if she taught the class for me :wah:

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 2:49 pm

Sounds like you make an interesting teacher for the kids, good job koan!:)

koan · Post by **koan** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 3:16 pm

Thanks. I enjoyed it.

I like young adults. Everything in their lives is so intense.

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 3:18 pm

And the younger they are, the more intense......middle school is the drama capital of the real world.....:wah:

Kathy Ellen · Post by **Kathy Ellen** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 12:14 am

Koan, I'm so glad that your day was a success. Isn't it fun to work with kids:-4

koan · Post by **koan** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 10:34 am

yep. It was kind of neat too because it was a Catholic school so I had to exercise some thought control over myself while I was there. LOL