An example learning resource to illustrate the steps used to create a finished film.
Written and filmed by Peter Roe, Films for Learning Facilitator

Background for Teachers

The resources for this film were made in just over 3 minutes whilst on a family holiday in Devon. I realised that sheep shearing is a fascinating but short subject and that it could make a great 'Top-Tip'

By including the different stages of development of the project on the web-site we hope to give you an insight into how to create a short project and how to overcome some of the technical issues with the source footage.

Resources and Equipment

You will need a reasonable specced Windows XP or Vista based PC or Laptop computer. It is assumed that you will have Windows Movie Maker 2 or the Vista version installed on your computer. This is available as a free download from the Microsoft downloads site.

Setting Up Your Resources

You should create a folder in the 'My Videos' folder called '60seconds' this will act as the project area throughout this exercise. Once you have created your folder, right click on the links next to the resouces and save them to your project folder.

Raw Footage, commonly known as 'Rushes', SheepSheared-RoughCut.wmv (85.85 mb)

Windows Movie Maker Project, SheepMovieInterim.MSWMM (122 kb) *

An interim movie to allow further sound layers to be added, Interim Sheep.wmv (21.85 mb)

The final project file without music, GoneIn60Seconds.MSWMM (107 kb) *

The final project file with added music, GoneIn60SecondsMusic.MSWMM (107 kb) *

*Films for Learning resources are free and membership of the Films for Learning Community is free. We restrict downloads of our resources to members of the FFL Community. This means we have some idea as to who is using our resources.

Membership of the FFL Community also enables you to upload your films, comment on and rate films, as well as join in with the forum discussions.

Joining is easy, just follow the ‘sign up' link in the top right corner of this screen.

As a school we are covered under the SWGfL (South West Grid for Learning) contract to provide broadband and services, one of these is the Audio Networks production music library & Hollywood sound effects archive. This archive provides access to a library of music materials covered under a blanket academic license. Most broadband consortia within England will also subscribe to this and you should be able to access the site here. The music is composed by Terry Devine-King (PRS) and Mark Johns (PRS). The CD number is 1054, Track 10.

Re-Connecting The Movie Maker Project

Open Movie Maker 2 on your computer and click on open project... Browse to your folder called '60seconds' and open the first project called SheepMovieInterim.

You should see something like the image above with lots of red X's. Don't be worried by this, this happens when you move the resources associated with a Movie Maker Project file. To fix the red X's you should double click on a red X at which point you will see this message or something similar.

You should click on Yes and then use the Browse option to reconnect to the file in your project folder as per the diagram below.

Provided you click on the correct file and click open then your timeline should be restored to something like the image below.

Now that you have connected the source files, you should save the project and repeat the process for the other two projects in the folder.

Teachers Notes

You may want to consider giving your students just the source file and asking them to make a 1 minute film about sheep shearing. The source footage was filmed in the presence of a loud, excited 5 year old and so the soundtrack needs some adjustment. The first sheep was sheared in 60 second the second in 90 seconds and our finished movie is a composite of the two sequences.

• Sharp eyed observers may notice the different faces of the two ewes... Continuity!
• Would the film work as well without the music?
• In the titles, is the subtitle 'How to shear a sheep' absolutely neccessary?
• Listen to the soundtrack behind the music... Does the sound of the radio add to the scene?
• How does the brief 'panning shot' at the beginning and the 'startled sheep shot' at the end of the movie affect the 'storyline' of the piece?

Film-makers Notes

My intention was to convey a feeling of normality with the panning shot... Suddenly this sheep has all its 'clothes' removed and it is thrown out into the yard startled and surprised. The title font was deliberately chosen to echo the action film of the same name and the music was chosen to convey this air of menace and foreboding, a direct contrast with the panning shot. Dramas like this go on all around us, your students take on this may be different, I just drew on my own ideas to convey what I felt... Give them a go without showing the film and see what they come up with.