This video was created for In School Suspension students to learn to recognize what escalates conflict, and select behaviors they will use that will de-escalate conflict, and keep themselves out of trouble next time.
I involved the students more in this second movie. The students helped create the storyboard, write and edit and re-edit the script, select camera angles, choose locations, film scenes, and record voice overs. They came after school to volunteer their time. They loved the process, learned a lot, and can't wait to make another movie. They range from straight "A" students who never get in trouble, to students who get in a little trouble, to some of my most frequent flyers in In School Suspension (who have not returned since movie making began...)
I have been using this in the In School Suspension room for about a month. (It wasn't finished, but I couldn't wait!)
It is one of the most successful tools I've used to prepare a student for the conversation we have about how their actions affected others and what choices they can make next time. I separate the video into three parts: the 1st part they learn about the conflict escalator, the 2nd part we stop and discuss the events in the movie that escalate conflict, and the 3rd part the students have a worksheet - so we STOP and WRITE and DISCUSS the events that escalate and de-escalate conflict. In the end, the students must choose TWO actions they can take to get off the escalator - with peers and adults.
It is 6 minutes long (just so you know up front)
Lisa Coogan
Mar 22, 2009 7:21 PM
P.S. Some people asked last time how I put the text in the "Choices" movie. I used Keynote - exported in QuickTime - exported to imovie. That's how all the animation in the "The Conflict Escalator" was done also.
steviewheeler
Mar 22, 2009 8:38 PM
Hi Lisa: I really like your video, and knowing that you work with kids in the ALC, this is a great video. It is a great video for kids to watch, but it was also probably very good for the kids who made it. I love the use of the flames and the roaring. Good job, Coogan. I am also facinated by how you did the animation. It would be great to see a demo at a Project Live meeting.
Gina Melanson
Mar 25, 2009 10:44 PM
Hey Lisa,
Great job!!! Very creative of you to use Keynote to export text and the music is a nice fit. The ideas in this movie are so awesome. The students are good at writing key ideas and filming interesting shots. I would love to have a copy of this movie to help keep my students OUT of ALC.
lebracfletes
Mar 26, 2009 2:56 PM
Great video Lisa. My class enjoyed watching the video as well. Great to watch for teaching Conflict Resolution, but probably made more for middle school.
tamarawhitney
Mar 29, 2009 10:14 AM
Wow Lisa... You continue to amaze me with your film making skills! The animation absolutely makes this movie -- and to think you did it in keynote --- how ingenious of you! Is this the one you're entering in IVIE? I ended up cutting this video off half way through it --- and my 12 year old daughter (who was watching WITH me...) got very upset and wanted to watch the ENTIRE thing...so... had to load it up and watch again -- That say A LOT Lisa... coming from the audience you're trying to reach!!!
See ya next PL meeting!!
Tamara
tamarawhitney
Mar 29, 2009 10:22 AM
Ok...after watching all the way through... have to tell you -- you have some GREAT camera angle shots -- LOVE the one of the guys walking toward the camera... Love the head shots -- nice lighting (natural is the BEST) and great use of the rule of thirds... Love the cut away to c/u of eyes...
Truly a great movie LIsa...and if you don't mind, I"m going to use it in my Community Time class to discuss conflict resolution!!! Thanks a bunch!
Connie Blackburn
May 31, 2009 5:11 PM
Wow! What a great learning experience for your students. The message is powerful and I love the real world example. You and your students really used some terrific camera angles (cut away to the eyes, walking towards the showdown...). Please tell your students how riveting I found their movie.
Frank Maggi
Jun 2, 2009 2:58 PM
Very creative stuff here. I really liked your thinking outside the box to get animations via Keynote. The whole metaphor works great. The vignettes are done really well. I did feel you could trim some of the 6 minutes off by being ruthless how long a shot remains on screen; some I felt could have ended a second or half second earlier, which can add up. But a great video. I also love how it's a working video; it gets used in the "real world".
toddmattox
Jun 5, 2009 1:56 PM
Great concept. You got good performances out of the kids. Good camera angles. Great job finding different locations/poses for the kids. And the sound was good! Hurray. My only critique is the the font on the escalator is a bit small.
Further, this kind of video will reach kids far better than sitting them in a corner with busy work. Imagine the collection you will have in a few years on many subjects. I have one on fear in the classroom on my web site teat I show every year.
Bravo.