The Third Dimension of Literacy: How to Bring Filmmaking and Media Literacy Into Your Classroom

This book is for educators, film lovers, and anyone who sees how important media literacy is in our current culture. The goal of this book is to help teachers integrate The Third Dimension of literacy into their existing curricula so that students are better able to analyze what they watch and responsibly create audio-visual media.

What is the Third Dimension of Literacy?  Consider the first dimension of literacy a word, and the second dimension of literacy the stringing together of words to form a complete thought. The third dimension of literacy is the visualization of that complete thought by adding audio and video. So viewing audio-visual media becomes the third dimension of reading and making audio-visual media becomes the third dimension of writing. From an educational standpoint the classic essay transforms into a documentary film and the short story or creative writing project becomes a narrative, silent or experimental film.

Take Two Film Academy has taught thousands of students how to responsibly create and consume audio-visual media. Drawing on years of expertise, this book is a practical how-to guide for educators interested in bringing the Third Dimension of Literacy into the classroom. 

Book Details:

• 8x8 softcover
• 168 full-color pages
• Printed on premium materials

Table of Contents:

Part 1: Fundamentals 

Chapter 1 - What is the Third Dimension of Literacy? 

Understanding filmmaking as the next dimension of literacy; the Take Two Method for Project-Based Learning; and what to expect from this book.

Chapter 2 - Preparation

The importance of buy-in from administration; the equipment, software, and resources you will need and how to set up your classroom; and how to get your students organized and respectful for filmmaking.

Chapter 3 - Lesson Plans

How to create customized lesson plans for both narrative/silent film and documentary film projects.

Chapter 4 - Resources, Software, and Safeguards

Screenwriting and editing software options; understanding intellectual property, including where to find royalty-free resources for use in films; distinguishing between credible and non-credible sources; and a note on cyber-bullying.

Part 2: Pre-Production

Chapter 5 - Viewing: The New Reading 

Passive versus active media consumption, and how to keep students engaged during viewings. 

Chapter 6 - Documentary Film: The New Essay

Understanding the different types of documentaries and the steps required to produce them, from creating your rubric to script-writing.

Chapter 7 - Narrative and Silent Film: The New Creative Writing Assignment

Understanding what makes a good narrative film and the steps required to make one, from storyboarding to screenplay.

Part 3: Production

Chapter 8 - The Grammar of Filmmaking

How to use the grammar of filmmaking to get the right shot for the right moment and effect, including an educational production game.

Chapter 9 - Documentary Production

What it takes to produce a documentary film, from recording voice-over to recording interviews. 

Chapter 10 - Narrative Production

A guide to student roles during production, including an educational game; and tips for shooting and for recording audio, and how to back up your students work.

Part 4: Post-Production

Chapter 11 - Editing

Key features of editing software; managing your class workflow; backing up data and watching dailies; and an overview of typical editing tools.

Part 5: Maximize Your Impact

Chapter 12 - Sharing and Community Impact

An overview of hosting your screening and the importance of sharing the film.

Closing Thoughts

Glossary