Lights, Camera, Action: Inspiring Storytelling at Lone Hill Middle School
This fall, I have had the privilege of joining Lone Hill Middle School’s DigiMedia class to teach the principles of storytelling and filmmaking. Over the semester, we worked together to produce The Mane, Lone Hill’s weekly news and announcements show, while also creating three short films for their year-end assembly. These projects weren’t just about learning technical skills—they were about giving students the tools to tell their stories creatively and positively. I joined them in October, so the class was already underway.
Teaching the Art of Storytelling and Filmmaking
We started with the basics: What makes a great story? How do you bring that story to life through the lens of a camera? From there, the students explored shot composition, lighting, and sound techniques. They learned how to build tension, create humor, and evoke emotion—skills they applied to every project, including their weekly news segments.
The Mane: Lone Hill’s Weekly News Show
DigiMedia students produced The Mane, Lone Hill Middle School’s hub for news and announcements each week. Beyond the updates, the students learned how to make their show engaging and entertaining. We focused on everything from writing scripts that grab attention to editing footage that flows seamlessly.
Year-End Short Films: Creative Parodies and Action-Packed Stories
The highlight of the semester was producing three short films for Lone Hill’s year-end assembly. We filmed all three shorts in just six class periods. We had a bit of a time crunch, SO I jumped in to write, direct, and edit each of them, but the students learned their lines, got together props and costumes, filmed, produced, and because shorts often take on new life during production - their suggestions were incorporated. I couldn’t be more proud of them. We had to create these shorts for the year-end assembly. Here’s what we made:
The Great Elven Wrap-Off
This parody of The Great British Bake Off was set in Santa’s Workshop, where rival elves compete to see who can wrap presents the fastest—and most stylishly. With a green screen and exaggerated characters, the students nailed the comedic timing, making this a crowd favorite.The Workshop (A Parody of The Office)
Inspired by The Office's mockumentary style, this short follows the antics of Santa’s Workshop employees as they navigate holiday stress and workplace hijinks. From deadpan interviews to awkward interactions, the students embraced the humor and charm of this parody, showcasing their ability to deliver comedic performances and sharp edits. My favorite part was how many of the Lone Hill Staff joined in for the interviews.Snow Hard
Santa and his elves must save the holidays in this action-packed spoof when a group of villains tries to hijack Christmas. A nod to the classic action film Die Hard, the students had a blast creating dramatic fight sequences and over-the-top stunts, proving their versatility as filmmakers.
Empowering the Next Generation of Storytellers
These projects weren’t just about making an excellent end product and giving students the confidence to create something meaningful. They learned to collaborate, think on their feet, and take pride in their work - in a way they hadn’t with their news stories. Watching their faces light up when their films premiered was an absolute joy.
A Celebration of Creativity
From the weekly buzz of The Mane to the laughter and cheers during the year-end assembly, this fall at Lone Hill Middle was unforgettable. The students learned valuable skills and created memories that will last a lifetime.
