Art & Art History ETDs

Publication Date

7-30-1975

Abstract

Over the past ten years there has been considerable growth in programs of filmmaking by students and teachers in schools. The purpose of this study was to (1) discuss ideas on the nature of filmmaking, filmmakers, and viewers; (2) provide a philosophy of teaching filmmaking for art education; (3) survey the growth of filmmaking in school curriculum; (4) show the development and operation of the National Endowment for the Arts and Office of Education Filmmaker-in-the-Schools Project; (5) present a detailed analysis and evaluation of the New Mexico Project; and (6) present some findings, conclusions, and recommendations on the teaching of filmmaking for the future. Data used in this study were assembled from state and national filmmaking files, published and unpublished materials, and photographs of film footage produced during the New Mexico Project. A discussion on filmmaking, filmmakers, and film viewers was presented focusing on the magic of filmmaking for the individual, the influence of the independent filmmaker upon recent trends in filmmaking, and a description of the new films viewers. An approach to the filmmaking experience and a method of teaching filmmaking was presented based on a humanistic-experiential framework philosophy for art education. The investigation of the growth of filmmaking in school curriculum brought out five broad rationales of filmmaking goals used in schools established on common and significant patterns--filmmaking as a multipurpose activity, improving visual and verbal communication, improving perception, and developing critical faculties; and a natural experience of self. The study showed that the Filmmaker-in-the-Schools Project enabled filmmaking to be experienced, handled, and explored by students and teachers for the first time on a national scale. This was accomplished by years of film­making exploration, filmmaker participation, and exposure by this researcher to a broad base of student and teacher involvement. New Mexico, as part of the Filmmaking-in-the-Schools Project, approached the project from an art education philosophy oriented to “learning by doing." All teachers and students learned camera basics, started filming immediately, and developed proficiency and knowledge of filmmaking by making films. Visiting independent filmmakers were brought in after students and teachers made films. This teaching-learning format established a common ground of filmmaking experience between filmmaker, teacher, and student, making possible an open and creatively critical forum for evaluation. One rationale seemed particularly significant for teaching filmmaking in the future. Filmmaking, among all creative art programs, appealed to many students at all age levels. It also gave participants a strong, natural experience in self expression. A model for filmmaking evolved which was essential to a successful program. Three conditions were necessary to the student--(1) simplicity of technology and production, (2) direct and immediate experience by making films, and (3) continuation of filmmaking opportunity. It was proposed that the opportunity of continued filmmaking be organized through a community filmmaking resource center. Recommendations drawn from the study concluded that, although the basic filmmaking techniques can be taught through traditional classrooms, filmmaking docs not lend itself to current educational environments. The emergence of an experience-centered filmmaking format has transformed the very nature and process of education in schools for students and teachers. Based on the data collected in this study, it was recommended that filmmaking projects in the schools and teacher training inherent in it be expanded. Further, use of the filmmaking program because it is experience-oriented, was recommended as one means of enacting open education. Filmmaking has become a means of gaining student knowledge of the world around him as well as providing a means to experience of self.

Project Sponsors

The National Endowment for the Arts and the United States Office of Education and their Filmmaker-in-the-Schools grant, the Center for Understanding Media, the New Mexico Arts Commission, and the Art Educacation Department of the University of New Mexico

Language

English

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Art Education

Level of Degree

Doctoral

Department Name

UNM Department of Art and Art History

First Committee Member (Chair)

Anne P. Taylor

Second Committee Member

James Joseph Srubek

Third Committee Member

Richard Elmer Lawrence

Fourth Committee Member

Robert Denton Kline

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