Homeschool Review Crew: Online Christian Filmmakers Academy

Over the last several weeks we have had an opportunity to use and review Online Christian Filmmakers Academy from Family Gravity Media, a division of Families For Christ Ministries, Inc. Ken and Zack Lawrence, a father/son team with filmmaking, producing, acting, and directing experience have been operating the Rocky Mountain Christian Filmmakers Camp since 2007, a week long camp to give those interested in filmmaking hands on training.  In 2012 they started offering their online component, Online Christian Filmmakers Academy to their camp students and recently have made the course available to the public. There are 5 different modules in the course: The Camera- This module has 6 lessons: Introduction to the Camera, DSLR's and Lenses Part 1, DSLR's and Lenses Part 2, Frame Rate, ISO and Shutter Speed, Tripods and Camera Support,  Cinematography- There are 15 lessons in this module covering items such as: color temp and balance, hard vs. soft light, types of light, lighting accessories, using light, painting with light, framing, outdoor lighting, depth of field, jibs an dollies, green screen, and setting up an interview. Sound- There are 6 lessons in this module covering topics such as: sound equipment, microphone, field recorders, location recording, ADR and Foley. Pre-Production- This module had 5 lessons: Introduction to Pre-Production, The Story, Writing the Screenplay, Pre-production paperwork, and Assemble the Team. Production- The 5 lessons in Module 5 include: The Crew, Set Hierarchy, Set Etiquette, Directing, The Slate, and Filming Step by Step. Each of the lessons has a video ranging anywhere from around 5-30 minutes in length.  There are also downloads for some of the lessons.  At the end of each module you will find a module quiz.  More content will be added throughout the year. 
The Online Christian Filmmakers Academy cost is $299 for a 12 month subscription.  The subscription covers anyone living in your household.  From now until November 30th, 2016, you can use the coupon code FALLCREW16 to receive $100 off.  
Earlier this year my boys learned how to make StopMotion movies.  They have had a lot of fun with this media and I thought that they would enjoy this filmmaking course.  We have been very impressed!  The Online Christian Filmmakers course is packed full of information.  It doesn't assume you have any previous knowledge so it is perfect for a beginner, but it is so well paced it would also be good for those that have some knowledge and want to learn more. The video segments are not very long.  You can move through the course at your own pace, watching as many or as few segments in one sitting as you choose.  They show examples of everything they are talking about in the lessons.  You do not have to have  special  equipment to take the course.  Of course the reason for the course is to  put what you have learned into practice and they give plenty of suggestions and options for basic and advanced equipment.  They even include extras such as downloadable plans to make your own PVC Shoulder Rig after viewing Module 1 Lesson 6.  
Quizzes are included after each module.  The program does not store your grade.  There is so much information given in each lesson, I wish they would add review questions to the end of each lesson or maybe every couple of lessons to help better retain everything that is taught.  The program does track your progress through the lessons (a little check mark appears beside each lesson you have viewed) and you do have the ability to watch the lessons multiple times.
To see what my Crew Mates had to say, click here.

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