Rainbow Affiliate Marketing is expanding Independent Film Channel’s “Film School” to four new markets this fall.
The standards-based educational initiative, which uses student filmmaking to expand the learning experience, will launch in four Mediacom Communications territories: Brookings, S.D.; Des Moines, Iowa; Apache Junction, Ariz. and Thomasville, Ga. Schools in each area will receive a donation of five state-of-the-art video cameras during presentations featuring local cable and IFC executives. Film School will be rolled out in the Mediacom markets through October 24.
The program debuted this year in the Toledo area, with support from Buckeye CableSystem, while Comcast donated equipment to the Middle Bucks Institute of Technology in Bucks County, Pa. Movies created by students in that school were part of the fifth annual “Bucks Fever FilmFest.”
Network officials said response to the filmmaking program has been enthusiastic, as teachers are hungry for ways to ignite a love of learning in students. Students are anxious to express themselves with the multimedia tools that are already a part of their everyday lives, said IFC executive vice president and general manager Evan Shapiro.
The program provides technology and classroom guides to help instructors teach the core English curriculum, with added learning in the areas of screen writing, film production and criticism.
Students, using the skills they’ve learned, are encouraged to make their own filmed interpretation of great literature.
