DVD Review: Shorts Vol 1. ...The useful H.S. teaching tool

As a H.S. teacher with senior (16-18 yr old) students who are starting to make short videos for their (HSC) leaving exams/ major project, I was looking for collections of short films that I could use as a teaching resource. As the students have grown up mostly viewing only feature films, I wanted to broaden their experience and knowledge of the potential and limitations of the short film format, to transform their storytelling ideas to suit the shorter format, and to inspire them to go on and produce their own original exciting work.

This collections of "Shorts! Vo. 1 " will certainly help me to fulfil this objective offering an interesting and diverse range of good short films. Most of the films have been produced on modest budgets which places the work realistically within the reach of students' own aspirations as film makers and storytellers setting a bar to shoot for. The commentaries are also actually a practical and accessable support teaching tools that present some appropriate insight into the film making process. Whilst most of the films were produced in the US or UK, there are a few European films with subtitles that are excellent.

Please note that a couple of the films contain slightly challenging or mature themes and content like suicide and pornography etc. Some of the other films in this collection also have teaching applications for English / Film Studies with younger H.S. audiences.

I have since received the next three volumns and I hope that the rest of this series sustains the standard!

Brief Film Notes.

What is wrong with this picture? by This short comic film is a variation on a charity / community service advertisement. It is quick, funny and useful film ready to engage year 7 students up (3 minutes),