Arts First Film Curriculum
Arts First Create Films curriculum is rooted in film as a 2D fine art of visual storytelling—the transformation of still images into motion. Students explore the evolution of visual expression from painting to photography to motion picture, understanding film as part of a larger artistic continuum.
At its core, the curriculum teaches students how to focus the audience—through composition, movement, light, sound, and story.
- Students engage in the full filmmaking process including:
- Visual composition and framing
- Storyboarding and sequencing
- Screenwriting and narrative structure
- Cinematography and lighting
- Sound design and Foley
- Editing and post-production
This approach reflects Arts First’s mission to educate and inspire youth through the fine art of filmmaking with hands-on creation, mentorship, and storytelling .
Program Pathways
1. Live Motion Picture Program
Overview:
The Live Motion Picture program introduces students to filmmaking through real-world production using cameras, actors, and environments. Students learn how to translate visual ideas into live-action storytelling.
Focus Areas:
- Cinematic composition (frame, depth, movement)
- Camera operation and shot design
- Directing actors and blocking scenes
- Lighting for mood and focus
- Recording dialogue and environmental sound
- Editing with industry tools (e.g., DaVinci Resolve)
Learning Outcome:
Students work collaboratively in film crews to produce original short films, gaining experience in both artistic expression and production workflow. Emphasis is placed on guiding audience attention through visual choices.
2. Stop Motion Animation Program
Overview:
Stop Motion Animation teaches students the fundamentals of motion by physically manipulating objects frame-by-frame. This program bridges sculpture, photography, and film.
Focus Areas:
- Principles of motion (timing, spacing, persistence of vision)
- Building characters and sets (clay, paper, found objects)
- Frame-by-frame image capture
- Lighting consistency and continuity
- Visual storytelling without reliance on dialogue
- Editing sequences into cohesive motion
Learning Outcome:
Students develop patience, precision, and visual awareness while creating animated shorts. They gain a deep understanding of how still images become movement, reinforcing the foundation of film as a 2D art form.
3. Traditional 2D Animation Program (Procreate Dreams)
Overview:
This program explores traditional hand-drawn animation using digital tools, primarily Procreate Dreams, allowing students to create frame-by-frame animation on iPads.
Focus Areas:
- Principles of traditional animation (squash & stretch, timing, arcs)
- Character design and expression
- Storyboarding and animatics
- Rough animation → clean-up → final rendering
- Digital tools and workflows in Procreate Dreams
- Exporting and presenting animated films
(Aligned with Arts First’s Open Studio model emphasizing hands-on animation and personal project development )
Learning Outcome:
Students produce original animated sequences or short films, gaining both artistic and technical fluency. The emphasis is on drawing as motion, reinforcing animation as an extension of fine art drawing.
Curriculum Philosophy Across All Programs
Across all three pathways, students:
Learn film as a visual language first, technology second
Understand motion as an extension of drawing, composition, and design
Develop their voice through original storytelling
Build confidence through collaborative creation and public presentation
The unifying principle is simple:
Film is the art of focusing the audience—frame by frame, moment by moment.