Step into a studio—real lights, cameras, and sound gear—and bring your stories to life. In RTF, you’ll:
Come up with ideas and turn them into your own short films, podcasts, or news-style videos.
Work as a team: some act, some direct, some film, some edit. Everyone plays a role.
Learn real skills used in filmmaking and media: writing, camera work, lighting, editing, sound — the same tools professionals use.
Finish a real project you’re proud to show off.
✨ Why you’ll love it
This isn’t just a fun class — it’s a stepping stone. RTF connects directly to college-level media studies at Austin Community College (ACC) and to P-Tech media pathways in Austin Independent School District (AISD). If you think you might want to work in film, TV, podcasts or digital media someday — this class gives you a head start.
Walk into class ready to explore — not just by watching, but by seeing with new eyes. In Media Literacy, you’ll:
Learn how to decode and understand the messages behind videos, social media, news, and ads — so you ask, "What’s really going on?"
Explore how media is made: who creates it, why, and how it influences what we think, feel, and believe.
Practice telling your own story responsibly — by writing, filming, podcasting or designing media that speaks your truth.
Build critical thinking, communication, and digital skills — the same ones you’ll need for school, work, or life online.
✨ Why you’ll love it
This class gives you tools — not just to consume media, but to understand and shape it. It connects directly to college-level media studies at Austin Community College (ACC) and to the media pathways in the P-Tech program at Austin Independent School District (AISD). If you care about news, social media, entertainment or storytelling — this is where you learn how it all works.
Step into a world where technology + creativity meet. In Digital Media, you’ll:
Learn how to create art, graphics, animations, and digital stories — everything from posters and memes to animated clips and digital collages.
Use real software and tools — think editing programs, digital drawing apps, design tools — just like digital artists and creators.
Work alone or with friends to bring ideas to life: design visuals, edit media, or build creative projects you can share online or in class.
Build skills that matter — creativity, tech know-how, design sense, and digital communication — useful in school, future classes, even careers.
Step into a class where ideas turn into scripts, and scripts turn into stories that could be on the big screen, in a short video, or even a podcast. In Screenwriting, you’ll:
Dream up characters, settings, and plots — create worlds and people that only you know.
Write scenes and dialogues — give your characters voices, feelings, and actions that make the story come alive.
Learn how stories are built for movies, TV, and digital media — the same way professional writers do.
Work alone or with friends to pitch ideas, share scripts, get feedback, and improve your writing.
Welcome to the class where curiosity becomes power. In Intro to Journalism, you’ll:
Learn how to find the facts and ask the questions that matter
Practice writing news stories, features, interviews, and opinion pieces
Create content for school news, social media, or broadcasts
Understand the difference between real info and misinformation — and how journalists help people know the truth
Work as part of a newsroom team: reporter, editor, photographer, anchor — you choose your lane
Within this context, in addition to developing knowledge and skills needed for success in the Arts, Audio/Video Technology, and Communications Career Cluster, students will be expected to develop an understanding of the industry with a focus on fundamental elements and principles of visual art and design.
Careers in the Arts, Audio/Video Technology, and Communications Career Cluster require a creative aptitude, a strong background in computer and technology applications, a strong academic foundation, and a proficiency in oral and written communication. Students will be provided an opportunity to develop an understanding of the various and multifaceted career opportunities in this cluster and the knowledge, skills, and educational requirements for those opportunities. This course allows students to develop knowledge and skills related to information management, presentation, animation, video technology, printing and desktop publishing.
To survey and analyze cinema including history, film techniques, production procedures, selected motion pictures, and cinema’s impact on and reflection of society. Students will also spend a great deal of time learning cinematic narrative structure and will develop their own screenplays (most likely in the form of group collaboration). The second half of the course will see students developing short films based on the screenplays they constructed in the first half of the course.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon successful completion of this course, students will:
1. Analyze film through written response.
2. Demonstrate a basic knowledge of film history, form, and genre.
3. Describe the collaborative nature of cinema and the many jobs required to develop a motion picture.
4. Discuss/Describe the relationship of cinema to society as it relates to his/her perspective.
Students will explore TAB (teaching for artistic behavior) strategies that explore a central theme while investigating preferred interests. The beginning artists research and implement creative projects that explore the principles and elements of art which includes experimenting with different materials.
Students will explore TAB (teaching for artistic behavior) strategies that explore a central theme while investigating preferred interests. The intermediate artists research and implement creative projects that explore and build on the principles and elements of art to create unique works of art with increased knowledge and expertise of material usage.
Students will explore TAB (teaching for artistic behavior) strategies that explore a central theme while investigating preferred interests. The advanced artists research and implement creative projects that explore and build on the principles and elements of art to create unique works of art, investigate current artists styles, explore career opportunities within the arts and some students will participate in Jr. Vase each year.
8th grade students that have passed 6th or 7th grade Art at Sadler Means, or with approval from the Sadler Means art teacher.
Sadler Means YWLA offers TAB (teaching for artistic behavior) program. TAB is a choice based curriculum that allows students to explore a central theme while investigating preferred interests. Students will explore TAB (teaching for artistic behavior) strategies that explore a central theme while investigating preferred interests. The Art 1 artists research and implement creative projects that explore high school levels of art, create unique works of art, investigate current artist’s styles and explore career opportunities within the art and participate in Jr. Vase contest each year
This introductory theatre course will focus on creative expression through theatrical performance. Students will become skilled at employing: acting techniques, movement & body control, proper vocalization methods, and the development of characters from different periods and styles of drama.
Students will recognize the interdependence of all theatrical elements, and the role of a technical director and a technician in the rehearsal and performance process of a show. Students will recognize the importance of and be able to effectively create publicity for a show. Students will work in a variety of colors, textures, and mediums. Students will learn theatre safety, the aspects of design and implementation of design in scenery, props, costumes, lighting, and sound. Students will also study makeup design and application.
This intermediate theatre course will focus on creative expression through theatrical performance and design. Students will become skilled at employing: acting techniques, movement & body control, proper vocalization methods, and the development of characters from different periods and styles of drama. Students will explore historical and cultural studies in theatre and have opportunities to see live professional theater.
This advanced theatre course will focus on creative expression through performance. In order to enroll in this class, students must audition prior to the semester and be selected by the director. The focus of this class involves the producing of the school theatrical productions. Using the skills learned in previous theatre classes the students will work on all aspects of the school’s productions including; publicity, set design, costume design, lighting, sound, makeup, and props as well as stage management and direction.
This orchestra is for beginners and no music experience is needed. This class provides the foundation for all of the other orchestras.
This orchestra is made up of students with at least one year of playing experience.
Entry into this orchestra is by audition only. This ensemble serves as our Varsity Orchestra in all competitions and represents the Orchestra program at Sadler Means at all showcases and other Fine Arts academy events.
Students will focus on exploring movement and building basic dance skills/techniques to begin their dance education. The curriculum will include: Elements of Dance, Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, Musical Theatre, and Choreographic Processes
Students will learn and develop kinesthetic awareness, proper body alignment, physical strength, flexibility, endurance, and care of the body while exploring expressive movement through dance technique. The curriculum will include: Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, Musical Theatre, and Choreographic Processes
The purpose of the Purple Gems is to provide dancers with the following: performance opportunities throughout the year (in addition to the Fall and Spring Show), dance training through conventions and workshops, build technique skills, and dance artistry. Auditions are held in the spring each year and open to students who will be entering 7th or 8th grade for the following school year. The curriculum will include: Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Pom, Musical Theater, and additional choreography/dance production elements throughout the year.
This choir will have a focus in repertoire, vocal and choral technique, and music theory. These students have the opportunity to participate in the All-City Choral Festival, and Solo and Ensemble competition.
These choirs consists of a select group of 7th and 8th grade girls selected through an audition process during the previous year. These students will work on advanced repertoire and choral technique. They will perform at scheduled concerts, school assemblies, and UIL.
These choirs consists of a select group of 7th and 8th grade girls selected through an audition process during the previous year. These students will work on advanced repertoire and choral technique. They will perform at scheduled concerts, school assemblies, and UIL. This group also participates in other "gigs" that surface throughout the year; i.e. local events, nursing homes, National Anthem performances for athletic events, etc.
This band is for beginners and no music experience is needed. This class provides the foundation for all of the other bands.
This band is made up of students with at least one year of playing experience.
Entry into this orchestra is by audition only. This ensemble serves as our Varsity Band in all competitions and represents the Band program at Sadler Means at all showcases and other Fine Arts academy events.