Career Tech Focuses on Digital Media and Video Production

Tom Lewis replaced has built a Digital Media and Video Production course that has replaced business administration classes in Mt. Gilead’s career tech program that is growing in popularity. Students leave his classroom prepared for entry level jobs in the field or for further study in post secondary schools.

Lights, Camera, Action!

In just two years, Tom Lewis has built a Digital Media and Video Production program at Mt. Gilead High School that is hands-on, multidisciplinary, and brings to light the best in his students.

While filmmaking isn’t new, it certainly has become more mainstream in almost every business and industry, dotting websites and lobbies of businesses across the country, says Mr. Lewis, explaining why the district recently replaced business administration classes in its career tech program with courses in photography, digital design, and video & sound. Students leave his classes with a solid base in graphic design and video production, skills that can be employed in entry level positions in either field or form a foundation for continued study at two or four year colleges.

Filmmaking teaches leadership, collaboration, active learning, and teamwork, explains Mr. Lewis who has taught video production for the past 17 years at the high school and college levels. It’s multi-disciplinary and technology oriented. It’s hands-on and allows for all types of learning styles.

With a grant from the Jennings Foundation, Mr. Lewis upgraded the school’s technology (DSLR cameras that have the capacity to record video) needed to implement the program at “industry standard” levels. Top-of-the-line software, provided by the school district, added another essential tool necessary for the program’s success. But more important than the technology, he explains, is the preproduction creativity and thought processes students work through before ever picking up a camera.

“I teach how to brainstorm ideas, story-telling techniques, how to create shot lists and storyboards, team formation, and scheduling – all prior to filming one second of footage.”

“I teach how to brainstorm ideas, story-telling techniques, how to create shot lists and storyboards, team formation, and scheduling – all prior to filming one second of footage,” explains Mr. Lewis.  “I want them to constantly be thinking forward. They create a plan and then they go and execute that plan.

“This is very different than using your cell phone to take funny videos with your friends,” he adds. “They are creating videos to communicate a specific message to a target audience.  They want to take the camera and go shoot, but if they don’t have a plan, they aren’t going to be successful.”

Collaborative learning stands out in Mr. Lewis’ classroom.

One month into the course, students have been practicing basic editing skills and are about to begin their first major project -- “Getting to Know” videos of various high school teachers.  Each piece, which will run one to three minutes in length, will contain an interview with a teacher along with B-roll footage of that teacher working in his/her classroom. The clips will be shown on a 60-inch interactive display during parent/teacher conferences. Viewers will be able to touch on the name of a particular teacher and the video will play. Future assignments include studio news broadcasting, a music video, and an independent film of their choosing.  Sound-related  projects will include podcasting, 60-second history lessons, interviewing, and audio mixing.

 Filmmaking creates a lot of opportunities for students to think logically, Mr. Lewis explains. They have timelines and deadlines; they have to plan and coordinate; and when they get out on a shoot they have to be flexible, adaptable and creative. They really enjoy the hands-on work we do,” he remarks. “I don’t do anything cookie cutter here. I don’t lecture. I will demonstrate, but most of the teaching and learning is done in groups through problem solving and collaboration. I know the concepts I am trying to teach and I start them off with an idea, but then I let the kids find their own path.”

Mr. Lewis in his digital media classroom at Mt. Gilead High School.

What Mr. Lewis finds especially gratifying is the program’s ability to reach students who may struggle in more traditional academic classes. “The amount of work and time it takes to put together a video is a lot more than people think,” he explains. “These students will come early, stay late, and work through lunch to get things done. They find a niche where they can excel, where they never had any idea they could before.

“I thank the Jennings Foundation sincerely,” he continues. “Without its help this program would be a shadow of what it is, adding, “This is my 30th year teaching and I feel like I could go another 20. I probably won’t retire; I really enjoy this.”