Careers in Film

Many students know the allure of the silver screen and have dreams of becoming a film writer, director, cinematographer, or designer, but rarely can they explore these passions in high school.                    VHS Learning’s Film and Literature and Screenwriting classes offer an introduction to the world of filmmaking coupled with standards-based analysis of literature and development of writing skills that provide a powerful introduction to the content and skills needed for success in the film industry.

In Film and Literature, students learn about film techniques while analyzing how those techniques are used in film adaptations of favorite pieces of literature. The course begins with a study of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, where students explore how production design, costuming, camera work, lighting, sound, and music impact meaning in film. Students view different directors’ interpretations of Austen’s classic novel and write a formal literary essay analyzing the enduring popularity of the story. Students then move on to read Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games, watch the movie, and analyze scenes in detail. The course culminates with students choosing a text/film pair to read, watch, and analyze in a film review. Throughout the course, students return to film techniques and their impacts.

After taking Film and Literature students report that they “have changed the way [they] view movies,” and “now when I go into a theater I can foresee plot twists by looking at the clues the filmmakers leave throughout the production by camera shots and angles, lighting, the scores in the film and the use of costume and what it says about each character and the plot of the story as a whole.” Students reflected, “I have become better at reading and analyzing literature for sure, but I have also gained movie watching skills that I use all the time now!” and “I'm thankful for this course because it taught me to look at the media differently. Now, I’m able to deepen my understanding of films and TV shows I watch.”

By taking Film and Literature at VHS Learning, students learn to watch movies with a critical eye, which positions them for deeper study in a particular field of filmmaking, such as writing, directing, camera work, or design.

In Screenwriting, students engage deeply to understand screenwriting and what sets it apart as a genre of writing. The course begins with an exploration of the conventions of script writing as students familiarize themselves with the unique style, format, and vocabulary. Students read an entire screenplay and identify and analyze critical plot elements that comprise most screenplays. They explore three-act structure, and elements such as reversals, pinch points, and cornering that help screenwriters develop the actions of their story. Students read, watch, and analyze scenes from favorite films, working to identify how the screenwriter has used the elements and conventions of creating the template for the film scene.

They then read and watch a complete film, and complete a final analysis responding to the prompt: How does the screenwriter use character and structure to create an effective story? Throughout the course, the students engage in the complete writing process for an original screenplay. They begin by brainstorming and developing the plot and characters, then complete a plot pitch presentation, and finally write and revise one act of their screenplay. By the end of the course, students will have a complete outline and one-third of a draft of an entire original screenplay!

After taking Screenwriting at VHS Learning, students share that they “never realized just how complex and planned out stories are!” One student explained, “I’ve become more confident in my ability to develop ideas instead of abandoning them the moment they get challenging. Writing the opening scene assignment and revising it taught me that sticking with a project can actually make it more exciting. I’m thankful for how this class created a space where creativity felt doable instead of overwhelming. It made writing feel less like a mysterious art and more like a craft I can grow into if I choose to.” And another student reflected, “I didn’t know half of what made a good movie before this course. Production, sound, VFX, none of that means anything if you don’t have a good story and a good screenplay.” One put it simply: “This course has me thankful for the films we get to watch today.”

By deepening their understanding of screenwriting as a standalone genre, and writing their own original screenplays, students who take VHS Learning’s Screenwriting are prepared to engage with films through critical analysis and creative development.

For a student considering a career in the film industry, VHS Learning’s Film and Literature and Screenwriting classes provide a solid basis of vocabulary, technique, analysis, and creative skills needed for success in future study and career. And for the student who is a a film buff, they provide a path to more deeply appreciate their weekly movie nights!