We had the opportunity to review the online course Online Christian Filmmakers Academy by Family Gravity Media, a division of Families For Christ Ministries, Inc.
Over the years, Christian movies have slowly moved into the mainstream for family entertainment. The quality of films that are now being premiered at theaters across the country are not only a result of the talented actors who appear on the screen, but also due to the talent that is behind the camera and part of the video production. Father and son team, Ken and Zack Lawrence, have been working together in video production for more than 10 years. Ken is also a homeschool father of four, a pastor, an author and a pastor. Both men have experience in the production of Christian films and Zack has even directed some feature films.
River has the change to review the Online Christian Filmmakers Academy by Family Gravity Media, a division of Families For Christ Ministries, Inc. He has an interest in anything film related and has created several on his own with his siblings. I guess you can image he enjoyed reviewing the course.
Before he started the course, we watched the videos on navigating the website and the introductions by both Ken and Zack. Ken noted that students may notice a difference in their physical appearance (older 😉 ) due to the video course being started several years ago. Where needed, the content and instruction in the videos have been updated to reflect advancements in technology. So, you know the material you are learning is current in the video production field.
There are five modules in the Online Christian Filmmakers Academy course. The topics covered are:
Module One – The Camera (six lessons)
Module 2 – Cinemetography (15 lessons)
Module 3 – Sound (six lessons)
Module 4 – Pre-Production (five lessons)
Module 5 – Production (six lessons)
Each module goes into further detail on each lead topic. The Modules also have a quiz (some are coming) for the student to take to review what was covered. The Modules are easy to work through and your child may complete the course independently.
River is finishing Module 2 and has found the course very informative. I do not have to ask him to complete his Online Christian Filmmakers Academy assignment for the day. It is one course in his schedule that he completes without issue. On some days, he completes more than one lesson. He has been using my Nikon camera for walking through the lessons. Even though my camera is several years old, he has been able to use it with no problem. River has already has experience with video production. The Online Christian Filmmakers Academy has given him clarity regarding some of the terms in the field. He is looking forward to moving into the module that discusses sound. Again, he has experience in the area, but he knows he will learn something new as he already has in the lesson he has covered. River also shared that the course can help someone learn more about the field and help them determine if they want to go into that area. The skills he is learning are ones he will be able to use in our community at our Arts Council where videography is done for the theatrical productions.
I also learned about about my camera after watching Module 1. I have never read my user manual, so it was very informative to me.
If you have a student who is in middle school, high school or is an adult, they may enjoy taking the Online Christian Filmmakers Academy to further their knowledge.
You may save on the course through November 30 by using the special coupon code FALLCREW16. This will give you $100 off the regular price of $299. You may read more about the course and purchase it now.
Social Media
Facebook page for our hands-on film camp: www.facebook.com/christianfilmmakerscamp
Facebook page for the Online Christian Filmmakers Academy: www.facebook.com/ChristianFilmmakersAcademy