Digital Filmmaking

On the Road with CDIA Film Alumni

February 18, 2010 During the last week of October 2009, CDIA Digital Film Program Director Federico Muchnik (FM) took three film alum on the road for a project devoted to teaching English as a second language to adults. Working with Dave Bouley, Andre Phillips, and Josh Weinhaus, FM was able to prep, shoot and deliver two 30 minute pilots for a series of videos designed to help ESL teachers improve their skills. The shoots took place in St. Paul, MN and Alexandria, VA. The project is sponsored by the New American Horizons Foundation. Project Director Barbara Allaire has described the experience of working with CDIA film students as "terrific". She has invited the team back for another round of films. The shoots involve going into classrooms where adults learners - the majority of them recently arrived immigrants - are taking an ESL class with a trained instructor. Through verbal, written, listening, and visual-based exercises they are taken through basic English language skills designed to help them in their daily lives. The two camera shoot requires that one camera operator film the instructor while the second camera focuses on the students. The end product uses material from both cameras to replicate - for future ESL teachers - the classroom experience with all its challenges and revelations. Since the classes last about 3 hours, editing the material down to an enjoyable and educational 30 minutes requires not only solid editing chops  but solid camera skills as well - and for that, Phillips, Weinhaus, and Bouley delivered excellent material - using the skills acquired at CDIA's film program. Program director FM offers: "I can't wait to get on the road again with these guys. They're pros, plain and simple. They travel well and they know their craft. I'm so proud of what they've accomplished." The team leaves for St. Paul in mid-March.