Film History Inquiry 

Essential Question:  
How did people tell stories with limited technology? 
Guiding Questions:  
1. What are the three stages of filmmaking? 
2. What are some of the techniques early 
filmmakers used to tell stories? 
3. What are some of the features of early films? 
4. How did filmmakers problem solve to create 
“movie magic”? 
5. What was the music in the 1900s? 
Provocation: 
What is happening in these pictures? 

In groups of 3 discuss the following questions: What is your favourite movie? And why? Who 
made it? 

Define: 
You are creating a 1-2 minute black and white silent film that adheres to the limitations of the 
earliest filmmakers. You can only use two edit points and it must have a moment of “movie 
magic”. You must also include music that is appropriate to the earliest days of cinema (the 
1900’s) and, after your film is complete, also create a movie poster in the style of the era. 
Film Terminology 
5 Different Shot sizes: 

Just face, shoulders and up, belly button and up, full shot, hips and up 
 
Movie Magic 

 
 
Edit Point 

(1) We stop the camera when nathan is about to crash into a tree. (2)  
 
Framing a Shot (The Rule of Thirds) 

 
 
Cinematography 

 
 
Pre-Production 

Its when you plane out your movie and decide what is going to happen. 
 
Production 

Its when you film the movie  

 
Post-Production 

Is when you edit the movie and attach all the pices you have already filmed 
 
Discover​: 
Who were the earliest filmmakers? What kinds of stories did they tell? How did they find 
inspiration? How were they limited in their use of technology? 
Gathering Information: 
 

A. How Edison and the Lumière Brothers Gave The World Cinema

Read through ​this article​ on the history of the first moving pictures. As you are reading, take
notes on the information you learn through this article. Remember to just write down the most
important information.

After you have completed the note-taking, think of a few questions you still have about the
history of movie-making.

Questions:
 
B. Watch the following 3 films, ​L'Arrivée d'un train à La Ciota​t​ , A
​ Trip to the Moon​, T
​ he 
Consequences of Feminism 
 
  L'Arrivée d'un train à  A Trip to the Moon  The Consequences 
La Ciotat (1896)  (1902)  of Feminism (1906) 
 

What is the “movie       

magic” here? 

What size of shots       

do they use? How 
many different sizes 
of shots did you see? 

Did they use the rule       

of thirds and how 
did they use it? 

Rate each film from       

1-3 according to your 
taste/preference and 
explain why.  
 
Dream: 
Before you can begin making your movie, you must plan, design and sketch as you move 
through the three stages.  
1. Pre-Production 
a. First, you need to plan out the beginning, middle and end of your story 
Group Names:
Movie Title:

Beginning:

Middle:

End 
 
 
 
b. The visual plan for making a movie is called a “storyboard”. Use the storyboard 
template provided to draw out your plan for what your film will look like. 
Highlight where you are saying the size of your shot, where your two edit 
points are and where your moment of “movie magic” is featured. You must 
find a way to include all members of your group on screen at some point. 
 
c. When you have an approved storyboard, you need to make a list of items you 
need to bring  
 

Elements of   
Production Design 

Props  (bike-Brian)  

Costumes   

Make-Up   

Set Pieces   
 
 d. Work together to choose a piece of music that is appropriate to the time 
period. Your music cannot have lyrics and must in the style of the 1900’s. 
 

Name of Song  Name of Artist 

   
 
Design: 
2. Production 
a. You need to film your silent film within the limitations of the school location. 
Take your time and make sure you get the shots you want. Remember you can 
only have 3 edit points. 
b. While you are filming, take some photographs. These are called “production 
stills” and people take them to show they were actually the ones that made 
the movie. We will use these in the showcase (and in the end of year 
slideshow). 
 

Production Stills: 
 
 
3. Post-Production 
a. Now you need to put your film together with your two edit points and your 
music. Use a program like iTunes or Premiere to edit; remember to make the 
film black and white. You may also use effects to make the film look like it is 
from the 1900s.  
b. Check: 

Does your story make sense?   

Is there a moment of “movie   

magic”? 

Are there only two edit points?   

Is everyone in your group included?   

 
c. Make a movie poster using one still from the movie, the title and a cast list. 
 
Deliver: 

Premiere Night  
You and your guests will come dressed to the tens in black and white or era-appropriate 
attire (clothes from the 1920s) for Caulfeild’s first annual award ceremony. Present your 
storyboards, planning, stills, film and movie. Be ready to answer questions about your film 
and the choices you made as a team. You will be competing for the top Golden Bear Award 
judged by a local film director! 

 
Debrief: 
You will be asked to watch one other film and provide a movie review.