Hidden gems of jmss
Written by Evie Geen
February 22, 2023
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When it comes time to choose courses on Xello, there's a lot to decide. Given JMSS’s extensive arts program, this can be especially difficult for art students wanting to try it all. As such, here are the top 3 elective courses as recommended by an artistically inclined (soon to be) JMSS graduate.
Communications Technology
Communications Technology
Communications technology is a course offered at JMSS for all grades with no prerequisite or past experience required. For students interested in film production or web design, this is the perfect course for you. In grades 9 and 10, the focus is on graphic design with a general introduction to audio and video mediums. Expected work includes: webspace design, poster design, and a short film.
In grades 11 and 12, the focus shifts to solely film. Students interested in film production are offered insight into the main machinations behind the medium through various projects covering pre-production and management, cinematography, lighting, audio and editing.
Expected work generally follows: webspace creation and design, foley and audio editing, shot blocking and filming, video editing, script writing and storyboarding, and group projects including all of the above.
Added bonuses to taking the course are access to programs like Premiere Pro, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Animated and Audacity as well as creative freedom and independence in the projects assigned.
DRAWING AND PAINTING
DRAWING AND PAINTING
Drawing and Painting is a specialized course within the general visual arts program of JMSS. Available for grades 10, 11 and 12, the Drawing and Painting course has students refine their skills in both stylized and realistic styles through the teaching of mark making and use of traditional drawing techniques. A large portion of the work in the course revolves around practice sketching (“portfolio tasks”) and unit assignments (still lifes, portraits, conceptual paintings, etc.). Despite its title, the drawing and painting course encourages students to try different mediums; mainly collage, charcoal, pencil and acrylic paint. By the end of the semester students will be able to draw and paint people, objects and landscapes with ease and efficiency. This course is a useful tool for those planning to pursue art in their post-secondary studies as it helps students generate a portfolio and practice art showcases. Like many art courses, Drawing and Painting has no exam but rather unit projects and a summative assessment.
photography
photography
Photography is an elective course offered for grade 10 and up. Despite its focus on the art of photo capturing, its course content enhances a student’s overall artistic awareness in regular life. What may have been just an average-Joe row of lockers one day can transform the next into an interesting piece of art on shape and pattern. Although no prerequisite is required to join the course, the course builds every year in terms of refining subject matter. In short, the photography course is a mixture of both the study and practice of photography. Students learn the main conventions and principles of the art (i. e. rules of thirds, line, space, colour composition, etc.), are given the skills to distinguish the effectiveness of photographs, and then go out to take photos for themselves. The course equally covers the editing, formatting and presenting process. The course has no exam but larger assignments and summative work. By the end of the course, students leave with a greater understanding behind the visual medium and a comprehensive portfolio of their own work.
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