Remember the Newsreels which were once such a major part of a trip to the cinema? Year 5 have been recreating these mini-films as part of the new Film Narrative topic for Literacy. Our pupils have learnt all about the film-making process including: writing a Production Sheet; planning different camera angles and assigning roles within Newsreel teams. We also researched and watched numerous Newsreels from the 1930s through to the late 1970s.
The News Real Project has been great fun for all the children. The class have been working together in groups to plan, dramatise and edit the filming of events and pastimes from the Tudor era, our current history topic.
Helen and Sean, a professional camera crew from Newcastle's Tyneside Cinema came into school for the filming of the four Newsreels, working alongside the children. Modern filmmaking equipment such as a 'blue' screen, directional microphones, high power lighting and digital video cameras were used by the children to produce cinema-quality footage.
Using the 'Blue' Screen to create an atmospheric Tudor backdrop
Re-enacting Anne Boleyn's beheading
Sean and Helen returned to school to edit the children's newsreels using the latest video-editing software. During this session, the children added the finishing touches such as narration, titles, credits, sound effects and each group's own Newsreel company logo.
The class can't wait to see their finished work on the big screen itself! Once the Tyneside Cinema in Newcastle, the only remaining news theatre in Britain, is reopened after an extensive rennovation, we will be watching our finished work on a real cinema screen!
The Pope
Sean working alongside a Newsreel team
A huge thankyou goes to all the crew at the Tyneside Cinema, namely Sean, Helen, Ben and David, as well as all those tireless friends and family whose contribution with costumes and props has made the world of difference. Tudor times now don't seem quite so long ago!
Comments (8)
Thanks to Mr Ellerbrook, Mrs Potts, Sean and Helen for all your hard work and giving y5 a really great day to remember.
Posted by elizabeth spencer | February 26, 2008 3:45 PM
i am so proud of the news reel.i thought that it was a great experience for me and my classmates.i can't wait to see the finished product!!!
Posted by olivia leech | February 26, 2008 6:41 PM
It was realy fun filming the newsreels. I cant wait to see them.
Posted by hal robinson | February 27, 2008 6:39 PM
I had great fun filming the newsreels and I'm sure everyone else did to. I would like to thank Mr Ellerbrook, Mrs Potts, Sean and Helen for all their hard work. I can't wait to see the finished product.
Posted by Alexandra Hill | February 29, 2008 7:34 AM
I really enjoyed doing the newsreels and i am sure all the rest of the class did to all thanks to mr Ellerbrook and mrs potts and shaun & Helen I am sure thenewsreels will be great when they're done
Posted by Charlotte Paige Harris | March 3, 2008 8:12 PM
it was really fun and everyone was enjoying themselves!
Posted by mollie pugmire | March 7, 2008 8:07 AM
I loved spending time making the newsreel with Sean and Helen, they gave us a great insight into what it is like to make a film - thank you also to Mr.Ellerbrook and Mrs.Potts
Posted by Charlotte Dibley | March 18, 2008 7:11 PM
I've just seen the finished product and they're fantastic! I can't wait to see it in the cinema! Well done to all those who were involved!
Posted by Alexandra Hill | June 18, 2008 4:07 PM