Media

DIGITAL FILM MAKING I

Semester

 2.5 credits

Prerequisite: None

Open to: So., Jr., Sr.

This film class is devoted to teaching students how to make independent short films.  Students study the different aspects of pre production, production, and postproduction.  These skills include script revision, storyboards, art direction, camera work, and editing.  Students will complete both independent and group projects that utilize all skills learned throughout the course.

DIGITAL FILM MAKING II

Semester 2.5 credits

Prerequisite: Grade of B or above in Digital Film Making I Open to: So., Jr., Sr.

Students learn the various aspects of hands-on filmmaking, from the technical (sound and editing) to the creative (screenwriting, directing).  Working in close conjunction with the Creative Writing class, students produce and direct their own films with the opportunity of possibly earning a spot in the Walpole High School Film Festival.

ADVANCED FILM MAKING

Year Course 5 credits

Prerequisite: Grade of B or above in Digital Film Making I & II Open to:  Jr., Sr.

Students in Digital Film Making III help teach Digital Film Making I students how to work in a film crew, set up shots, and direct scenes.  All Digital Film Making III students are expected to work on the Film Festival website and blogs to keep the community up to date with ongoing projects.  Each Digital Film Making III student will be required to direct a movie for the Film Festival.  Digital Film Making III is only open for students who have excelled in Digital Film Making I&II or have successfully completed two Independent Film Festival movies.  Please note that Digital Film Making III runs concurrently with Digital Film Making I & II.

DIGITAL MEDIA APPLICATIONS

Semester Course 

2.5 credits 

Prerequisite: None

Open to: Fr, So, Jr.

Digital Media Applications is a class that explores the visual medium through Adobe Photoshop(as well as a variety of other current media software applications) in order to facilitate, and successfully develop one’s ability to creatively manipulate media.   Throughout this course, you will complete numerous challenging photo and video tasks that are designed to not only demonstrate the successful application and combination of essential key concepts and tool techniques, but to spark your inner creativity.  In addition, ample time will be devoted to the fine-tuning and further development of all the necessary techniques one would need to skillfully edit media for life.

MEDIA LITERACY

Semester Course 

2.5 credits 

Prerequisite: None

Open to: All

This course examines the critical study of mass media, including newspapers, advertising, TV, film, and the Internet. Throughout the semester, students will learn to analyze and evaluate pieces of media as they explore the ways media shapes our culture and values; then, students will use these foundational skills in order to produce original multimedia content. Topics for study may include media history, journalism, rhetorical techniques, film studies, media ethics, and current events. 

*Starting in 2025-26, Media Literacy will be a prerequisite for the Journalism I course.

JOURNALISM I 

Year Course 5 credits

Prerequisite: Grade of B in Honors English, or Open to: All

A in CP1 English (Starting in School Year 2025-2026, Media Literacy)

This course is open to students in Honors and CP1 English levels who would like to explore the field of journalism.  Emphasis will be on journalistic writing techniques as well as desktop publishing skills essential to the production of the school newspaper, The Searchlight.  This course is recommended for students who possess strong writing skills.

ADVANCED JOURNALISM

Year Course 5 credits

Prerequisite: Journalism I & Teacher Recommendation Open to: So.,Jr., Sr.

This course is open to students in English Honors and CP1 levels who would like to continue to enhance their knowledge and skills in the field of journalism.  Students in Advanced Journalism assume greater roles of leadership in the publishing of the school newspaper, The Searchlight.  They are expected to do significant independent work.

YEARBOOK

Year Course

5 Credits

Prerequisite: None

Open to: All

This course is open to all students who have an interest in design, writing, editing, and graphic arts. The class will engage in page design, research, copywriting, photography, graphic design, marketing, editing, and time management skills. The published yearbook is the only complete record of this school year that will ever be published. Students will create the memories that alumni can look back on five, ten, twenty years from now and reminisce fondly about.  It will be students’ responsibility to create a dynamic, well-represented, creative, and professional publication that the whole school can be proud of.

TELEVISION PRODUCTION (TV I)

Semester Course

2.5 credits

Prerequisite: None

Open to: All

Television Production(TV 1) is a one-semester introduction to the world of broadcasting and digital media. You’ll get hands-on experience with professional cameras, industry-standard editing software, and our fully equipped studio. If you’ve ever wondered what happens behind the scenes of your favorite shows, this is your chance to find out.

ADVANCED TELEVISION (TV 2)

Year Course

5 credits

Prerequisite: TV I 

Open to: So., Jr., Sr.

If TV 1 sparks your creativity, you can continue on to Advanced Television, which you may take for multiple years. In Advanced TV, you’ll become a content creator for our school’s YouTube channel, @WHS Timber TV. Produce podcasts, craft news packages, and take part in the student-favorite segment Ambush News! You’ll work in teams, sharpen real-world communication skills, and see your work published for a public audience. Advanced TV is an ideal launching point for anyone interested in careers in communications, journalism, film, broadcasting, content creation, or media production.

COMPUTER ANIMATION

Semester Course

2.5 credits

Prerequisite: None

Open to: All

This course is designed to expose students to animation techniques and Adobe Animate Interface. Students will be provided with the foundations of animation in order to get a foothold in the exciting world of multimedia. Emphasis will be placed on the processes involved in creation of animation (creating characters, design using inverse kinematics,  and sound). Students will learn many techniques used in animation such as the differences between frame-by-frame animation, motion, shape, nested, and classic tweens. At the end of the semester students will be able to create a story animation using the tools learned in class.  

ESSENTIALS of JOURNALISM

Semester Course

2.5 Credits

Prerequisite: None

Open to Fr. So, Jr.

The course is open to students who are interested in the field of journalism and developing necessary skills.  Students will practice the skills to conduct interviews, write editorials and review books, movies, and video games. Among other resources, the student will use the school newspaper, The Searchlight, as a model to explore journalism concepts. Students will be introduced to basic desktop publishing skills.  This course is recommended for students with emerging writing skills.  This course is co-sponsored by the Special Education Department and the English Department at Walpole High School. 

ESSENTIALS of DIGITAL FILM MAKING

Semester Course

2.5 Credits

Prerequisite: None

Open to Fr. So, Jr.

This is an introductory course for students who are interested in developing the skills necessary to create independent short films.  Students will become familiar with the prerequisite skills of pre-production and post-production of filmmaking.  In this small group elective, students will receive direct instruction on writing scripts, creating storyboards and basic camera work.  This course is sponsored by the Special Education and English Department at Walpole High School.