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About Me
About Me
Hi, I'm Yi Lu, an IBDP film teacher from Shenzhen, China.
Hi, I'm Yi Lu, an IBDP film teacher from Shenzhen, China.
I am a dedicated educator and media professional with extensive experience teaching IBDP Film, photography, and yearbook at QSI International School in Shenzhen. With a dual Master's in Journalism and International Affairs from Columbia University, I bring strong multimedia storytelling expertise from my time as a Broadcast Associate at CBS News, where I produced segments and edited videos for daily broadcasts. I specialize in fostering creativity and technical skills in students, leading award-winning initiatives like the Annual QSI Film Exhibition and a daily school news program. Certified in IB education and fluent in multiple languages, I combine my media production background with a passion for innovative education and community engagement. Throughout my career, I successfully sold four of my videos to major media companies in the United States and received several awards for my work.
My professional goal as an IBDP Film teacher is to help more students experience and enjoy the DP film course, inspire them to become powerful storytellers, and connect with diverse people through cinema. I also hope to one day write a book about teaching and learning film, sharing stories and ideas that unite and inspire others.
Together, we will cover essential skills such as camera operation, scriptwriting, filming, and editing.
Remember, everyone is a unique storyteller!
The PGCE Teaching Certificate
The PGCE Teaching Certificate
Class overview IBDP FILM
In my IBDP Film and Film/Documentary class, students embark on an exciting journey into the world of visual storytelling. We delve into the fundamental principles of filmmaking, exploring essential skills such as camera operation, scriptwriting, filming techniques, and editing. Through hands-on projects and collaborative learning, students will analyze various film genres and styles, gaining a deeper understanding of how cinematic elements convey meaning and emotion. Our curriculum emphasizes creativity and critical thinking, encouraging each student to express their unique voice and perspective. By the end of the course, students will not only have developed practical filmmaking skills but also produced their own short films, showcasing their individual storytelling abilities.
Teaching Approach
I believe film is a powerful medium for self-expression and critical thinking. In my classroom, students explore film as both an art form and a tool for communication, regardless of their prior experience. Through hands-on projects, collaborative learning, and reflective practice, I guide them in developing technical skills while nurturing their creative confidence. My curriculum emphasizes real-world applications, from documentary filmmaking to live broadcasting, ensuring students see the relevance of their work beyond the classroom.
Student Success
Student Success
My students have produced award-winning short films, earned recognition in international competitions, and launched impactful projects like the Annual QSI Film Exhibition. These achievements stem from a learning environment that values experimentation, resilience, and peer feedback. I take pride in helping students uncover their storytelling potential, whether they aspire to careers in film or simply want to communicate ideas more effectively.
Educational Leadership
Beyond teaching, I actively contribute to the growth of media education at my school. Initiatives like the Daily School News Program and partnerships with local organizations reflect my commitment to expanding opportunities for young filmmakers. My goal is to foster a culture where film is not just a subject but a means of connection, creativity, and lifelong learning.
Philosophy in Practice
At the core of my teaching is the conviction that everyone can be a great storyteller. By breaking down barriers to entry and encouraging risk-taking, I help students transform their ideas into compelling visual narratives. Their success—whether in film festivals, academic pursuits, or personal growth—is a testament to the transformative power of inclusive, hands-on education.
"The goal isn’t to make Spielbergs—it’s to nurture curious, articulate creators who see the world through a lens of possibility."
By Yi Lu
Testimonials
Testimonials
Email from Parents
Knowledge and Understanding
Knowledge and Understanding
I have structured my teaching around the core components of the IBDP Film curriculum: textual analysis, context studies, collaborative film project, and film portfolio. Each unit integrates IB film terminology and conceptual understanding. Students analyze cinematic texts with a focus on mise-en-scène, cinematography, editing, sound, and narrative structure.
Check my lesson plan here: My sample lesson plan
Pacing Chart Year 1
Pacing Chart Year 1
IB Film Course Pacing Chart
Year 1: Completed Units (10 Units Total)
Unit Number
Unit Description
1
Introduction to Film Language and Terminology
2
Cinematography Techniques
3
Mise-en-Scène Analysis
4
Editing Styles and Effects
5
Sound Design in Film
6
Narrative Structures in Film
7
Textual Analysis (Written assignment)
8
Film Portfolio: Clip 1 Submission
9
Film Portfolio: Clip 2 Submission
10
Film Portfolio: Clip 3 Submission + Portfolio Pages (9 pages)
Pacing Chart Year 2
Pacing Chart Year 2
Year 2: Remaining Units (10 Units Total)
Unit Number
Unit Description
1
Advanced Cinematography and Visual Style
2
Film Theory and Critical Approaches
3
Comparative Study (Written and visual comparison)
4
Collaborative Film Project: Planning and Pre-production
5
Collaborative Film Project: Production
6
Collaborative Film Project: Post-production
7
Film Portfolio: Additional Clip Submission (1 clip)
8
Reflection and Evaluation of Collaborative Film
9
Film Portfolio: Additional Pages Submission
10
IB Film Final Assessment Submission
2. Application
2. Application
Professional Development
Completed Category 1 and Category 2 IB Film workshops.
Attended "IBDP film teacher development" seminar at CIS (Chinese International School HK, 2025).
Participated in Adobe Premiere Pro certification course.
Practical Teaching Evidence
Integrated scriptwriting software (WriterDuet) and editing tools (DaVinci Resolve) into class projects.
Guest speaker sessions with local filmmakers and editors.
Developed film critique sessions modeled on IB assessments.
ATL Focus: Transfer of knowledge across digital platforms; creative problem solving in production.
Creativity and Reflection
Designed a storyboard roleplay activity to simulate production collaboration.
Created a "Director’s Chair" classroom activity where students lead shot planning.
Maintained a teaching journal with weekly entries reflecting on lesson outcomes, student responses, and adjustments needed.
ATL Focus: Development of self-awareness and reflective thinking; nurturing of creativity and curiosity.
Awards and Achievements
Awards and Achievements
Second Place in NHD China 2025 – Individual
Documentary Two teams from our film class placed in the Top 10 of the NHD China Documentary Contest
Sixth Place out of 500 school teams in the US STN High
School Short Horror Film Competition
Honorable Mentions in the HK International School Short Film Competition
Second Place in the American Scholastic Press Association Yearbook Competition, the leading yearbook contest in the US
Shenzhen Library
Shenzhen Library
Photography Competition
STN Sixty Second Horrorfest
STN Sixty Second Horrorfest
Received the 6th place out of 500 school teams
Classroom 2025-2026
My Film Classroom 2025-2026
The Ghost Marriage
The Ghost Marriage
4th Place, Student Television Network (STN) Film Contest (2025)
Our film class has embarked on an exciting new chapter this year by venturing into animation. We've taken this exploration a step further by competing in MIT and The New York Times' groundbreaking AI filmmaking challenges. This foray into AI has opened a new canvas for our students' imaginations, allowing them to visualize stories and ideas in ways previously unimagined.
The low code AI filmmaking
Group 1
Group 1
Group 2
Group 2
Group 3
Group 3
IB FILM Portofolip The Coffee?
IB FILM Portofolip The Coffee?
MY IB FILM Students 2023-2024
IB film PORTFOLIO CLIP2 I quit
IB film PORTFOLIO CLIP2 I quit
MY IB FILM Students 2023-2024
IB FILM PORTFOLIO CLIP3 tHE lIANG pI sISTER
IB FILM PORTFOLIO CLIP3 tHE lIANG pI sISTER
MY IB FILM Students 2023-2024
IB FILM Collaborative FILM1
IB FILM Collaborative FILM1
MY IB FILM Students
Class overview FILM/Documentary
The year-long Documentary Film class offers students a comprehensive exploration of filmmaking, covering a wide range of topics and equipping them with valuable skills. This challenging yet rewarding course enables students to produce peer interviews, commercials, and short documentary films, with their performance evaluated based on five key units.
The class began with an introduction to documentaries, where students examined their purpose, styles, and the techniques involved in their creation. They learned the significance of storytelling and the director's role in shaping narratives.
In the Camera Basics unit, students engaged with the technical aspects of filmmaking, including camera settings, movements, and angles. The Art of Interview unit allowed them to hone essential interviewing skills crucial for crafting engaging documentaries. Additionally, we explored acting techniques to enhance on-screen performances and revised film scripts to strengthen storytelling elements. The Commercial and Post-Production Techniques unit introduced them to methods such as basic color grading and green screen effects.
During the Film Production unit, students collaborated to create a short documentary or film, applying the skills acquired throughout the course. I take pride in their achievements; we produced a horror film as a group project that truly impressed me. Moreover, for their short documentaries, students ventured outside the campus to document real-life stories, which proved to be both challenging and rewarding. This revision maintains your original ideas while improving coherence and integrating the new elements you requested.
2024-2025 FILM/DOC STUDENTS THE DOC UNIT
Loneliness of old ages
Loneliness of old ages
class 2024-2025
The Rabbit hill coffee
The Rabbit hill coffee
class 2024-2025
Behind the scenes
Behind the scenes
class 2024-2025
IB FILM WORKSHOP
The Voting Time
filming
filming
2024-2025 Unit 1 The Commercials
The Commercial
The Commercial
Group 1
The commerical
The commerical
Group 2
HK film unit 2024-2025
In this unit, students will delve into the world of Hong Kong cinema by studying and mimicking the iconic film Infernal Affairs. Through this project, they will gain hands-on experience in basic filmmaking techniques, including shot composition, lighting, and camera movement, while also exploring the art of editing to create tension and narrative flow, much like the film's gripping pacing. Additionally, students will analyze the nuanced performances in Infernal Affairs to understand character development, emotional depth, and the subtleties of acting in a high-stakes drama. By recreating key scenes or crafting their own inspired sequences, they will not only hone their technical skills but also develop a deeper appreciation for the collaborative nature of filmmaking, from directing to acting to post-production. This immersive approach will empower them to tell compelling stories while paying homage to the stylistic elements that make Infernal Affairs a cinematic masterpiece.
HK film unit group1
HK film unit group1
HK film unit group2
HK film unit group2
HK film Unit Group 3
HK film Unit Group 3
MY STUDENTS' WORKS is coming
2024-2025
2024-2025 showcase
FIlm exhibition
FIlm exhibition
2024-2025
Our film exhibition trailer
Our film exhibition trailer
Please Enjoy !
All or Nothing
My Gift
The Color of Hope
The Loop
The Loop
The best annual original film of my class 2024-2025
The Music Video Unit
The Martial Arts Unit
The Martial Arts Unit
Students created a short martial arts clip to explore the fundamentals of action and martial arts filmmaking, gaining hands-on experience in choreography, camera techniques, and storytelling unique to this dynamic genre.
Action film
Action film
Group 1
Action film
Action film
Group 2
Action
Action
Group 2
The music Video Group 1
The music Video Group 1
Group 1
The Music Video
The Music Video
Group 2
The music video
The music video
Group 3
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