This lesson, inspired by PBS' film series, REEL NY, allows students to explore the art of film editing. In this lesson students are introduced to the role of a film editor and to two common film-editing techniques: continuity editing and montage (discontinuity) editing. By viewing video clips, students learn to identify and define these two editing styles and explore how and why these techniques are employed to tell a visual story. As a culminating activity, students gain hands-on experience with these techniques through an in-camera edit exercise.

Grade Level:
Grades 9 - 12

Time Allotment:
Five to six 50-minute class periods

Subject Matter:
Visual Arts

Learning Objectives

• Identify continuity editing and montage (discontinuity) editing.
  
• Understand how and why these techniques are employed to tell a visual story.
  
• Understand the role and responsibilities of a film editor.
  
• Execute both continuity and montage (discontinuity) techniques in an in-camera edit exercise.
  
• Work collaboratively.
  

Standards:

Visual Arts, Level 4, Standard 1: Understands and applies media, techniques and processes related to the visual arts
http://www.mcrel.org/compendium/Benchmark.asp?Subject ID=13& StandardID=1
Understands how the communication of ideas relates to the media, techniques and processes one uses.

Visual Arts, Level 4, Standard 2: Knows how to use structures (e.g., sensory qualities, organizational principles, expressive features) and functions of art
http://www.mcrel.org/compendium/Benchmark.asp?Subject ID=13& StandardID=2
Understands how the characteristics and structures of art are used to accomplish commercial, personal, communal or other artistic intentions.

This lesson was prepared by: Brandon G. Kiggins