This new course offers an exciting blend of film, animation, and media arts, enhanced by an exclusive partnership with the Vancouver Film School, British Columbia's leading institution in media arts education. Students will have the unique opportunity to learn from post-secondary and industry professionals.
The curriculum covers both digital filmmaking techniques and digital animation. Students will gain hands-on experience using both consumer and professional technology, including cameras, drawing tools, and software like Adobe Premiere Pro, and Adobe Animate. The focus is on storytelling, covering aspects like narrative structure, character development, camera operation, sound design, and digital editing.
Students will engage in project-based learning, exploring themes through various media, including photography, storyboarding, film writing, drawing, and painting. The partnership with the Vancouver Film School enriches the course with practical industry perspectives, offering a real-world context to the learning experience.
Critical analysis is integral to the course, encouraging students to evaluate their work and that of others, and fostering a deeper understanding of the design process. This combination of practical skills, industry insights, and critical thinking prepares students for further education and careers in the dynamic field of media arts.
Offered through a joint partnership with the Vancouver Film School, CineMagic immerses students in the dynamic world of film and animation, blending traditional visual arts with emerging media technologies. Students will explore diverse themes and artistic multimedia creation while producing original works such as dramatic films, documentaries, and short films. They will learn to combine traditional techniques with new media, computer animation, and web environments. By applying critical analysis, students will refine their creations, explore the role of media artists in shaping cultural identities, and develop skills in creating, reflecting, and communicating through their work.
Develop Creative Expression: Students will explore and experiment with a wide range of traditional and emerging media arts techniques, fostering innovation in their cinematic and animation projects. They will utilize tools such as storyboarding, drawing, and digital animation to bring their creative visions to life.
Enhance Critical Thinking and Reflection: Through regular peer and self-assessment, students will engage in the critical analysis process to evaluate the impact and effectiveness of their media art projects. They will learn to thoughtfully reflect on their artistic choices and make informed revisions to improve their work.
Strengthen Communication and Presentation Skills: Students will document their creative processes, clearly articulating their ideas, artistic intentions, and how their work communicates specific messages or themes to an audience. They will also learn to effectively present their media art projects in various formats, both digital and traditional.
Connect Media Arts to Culture and Society: Students will explore the role of media artists in shaping cultural identities, societal values, and perceptions. They will examine how their own work can influence and reflect cultural narratives and contribute to broader discussions within media and society.
Build Technical Proficiency: Students will acquire technical skills in both traditional art forms and digital media, learning to use tools such as cameras, animation software, and editing platforms. They will develop the ability to seamlessly integrate these technologies into their creative process, enhancing the quality and impact of their media art projects.
This exclusive partnership with the Vancouver Film School positions GNS as the only independent school on Vancouver Island to offer this program. This will allow GNS students the opportunity to access the VFS state-of-the-art facilities through field trips and curricular support with their experienced industry professionals.
GNS CineMagic is for any student in Grade 11 or 12 who is interested in a potential career in film, media arts, or animation. This course will strengthen key skills in these areas and facilitate valuable connections to post-secondary and industry professionals that will help you on your learning pathway in this exciting field!