USA – Blackmagic Design today announced that the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities teaches its two year film program to high school students using a full Blackmagic Design workflow, including the Blackmagic Camera app, Blackmagic PYXIS 6K digital film camera and DaVinci Resolve Studio editing, grading, visual effects (VFX) and audio post production software.
In forming the program, which teaches junior and senior students a hands on approach to film production and post, Film Department Chair Kevin Human was determined to help those interested in a film career, while also providing exposure to a new craft for those looking into other disciplines. “I wanted to show students that there is a path forward in the industry if they commit to working for it,” said Human. “It’s not an easy field to make it in, and changes in technology, culture, and our relationship with media and screens can seem daunting, but there’s also opportunity in that.”
The program starts students inside the Blackmagic Design ecosystem from day one, hoping to avoid the complications of learning various operating systems and instead focusing on storytelling. “We start the students on iPads using the Blackmagic Camera app,” continued Human. “On the app, we focus on the basics of visual storytelling, things like composition and shot sizes. We do introduce lensing with the iPads as well, but it’s pretty basic. Then we move them up to the Blackmagic PYXIS 6K. So far, the transition from iPad to PYXIS has been seamless. The students are already familiar with the interface, so they’re not having to relearn anything, and we can focus on introducing new, more advanced concepts and features.”
The program is an intensive and comprehensive approach to the business of film, giving future filmmakers a strong set of practical skills. “By teaching our students these many facets of filmmaking, they wind up becoming empowered,” added Human. “I’ve seen this in the short time our program has existed. Students who came in quiet and timid are now calling ‘quiet on set’ with the authority of a seasoned assistant director! And that is a joy, to see these young students using the cinematic arts to grow as individuals.”
For post production, Human takes advantage of DaVinci Resolve for iPad, simplifying the pipeline from shoot to post for beginning students. “We use DaVinci Resolve on the iPad initially but try to quickly move into the desktop version. By the time the students start shooting Blackmagic RAW on the PYXIS 6K, they’re already comfortable with the edit page, and it’s a natural progression to introduce them to color and then Fairlight audio. We get into Fusion when they take VFX in their second semester,” he noted.
Human enjoys the enthusiasm he sees in the students’ faces when they begin to work with the PYXIS 6K. “It’s a great camera, and the students get excited to use it,” added Human. “We make sure that the students understand the concepts behind what makes the camera great from technology and design standpoints. The PYXIS is so versatile. Before students shoot a single frame, we have them build and break down many different rigs and configurations.”
The goal for the program is to help build personal skills in the students, whether they intend to use them for their film careers or in something else. “We try to teach them diplomatic communication, planning, logical thinking, and creative and technical problem solving. The goal is that students find their voice and are empowered to make the best choice for themselves after they graduate,” concluded Human.
