Behind the Scene

​​This class is designed for learners ages 11-15 

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There is also a completley asynchronous option for those who can not make the live class. Learners will still recieve feedback on their submissions, all projects can be sent in digitally via photo if not already digital. 

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Schedule:

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Asynchronous + Live Meeting:

Tuesdays @ 10am - February 3rd - March 31st (Orientation meeting January 27th)

Learners welcome to jump in at anytime, I can prorate.

$120 for 9 week Course ($13.33/class)

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Asynchronous Only (online classroom, no live zoom meetings)

Open Enrollment

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$100 for 9 week Course ($11.11/class)

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Behind the Scene is a unique online course designed for young creators and learners who want to master the "hidden" language of communication. In this class, we use the world of wordless animation (short films) as our laboratory. By stripping away dialogue, we allow learners to focus on the pure sensory data that tells a story: facial expressions, body language, colors, textures, and soundscapes.

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For many learners, real-life social interactions can feel like they are moving at 100 mph. This class provides a "pause button." We break down visual stories frame-by-frame to understand:

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• The "Why" Behind the "How": How a creator uses jagged lines or somber music to signal a character’s intent.

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• The Spectrum of Interpretation: We discuss our different takes on the same scene, proving that there isn't always one "right" answer—and that’s okay!

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• The Roots of Miscommunication: By seeing how people can view the same clip differently, students learn to identify potential misunderstandings before they happen.

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• Self-Advocacy: We turn our observations into tools for real-life clarity, helping students learn to ask, "I noticed X, did you mean Y?"

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Each module is designed to be interactive, affirming, and hands-on:

This course offers two options, Asynchronous only or Asynchronous + Live Meetings.​

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1. Asynchronous Work (Online Classroom Only): Each week learners will have a module in their online classroom with their assignment and project for the week. For this course, it includes watching a short film linked (usually under 10 minutes long), answering 3 questions, and they will have a choice between 2 Creative Reflection Projects. These choices usually include digital and handwritten options. These projects serve as the start of a "Director’s Portfolio", a collection of work that shows they understand the psychology behind visual storytelling. Estimated time spent on their module for the week should be 1-2 hours of self paced learning.

 

2. Live Meetings: If you signed up for both online classroom and live meetings, learners will meet on zoom classroom and together, we’ll watch the short film and explore different perspectives as we go through the assignment questions. Learners are welcome to share their weekly projects during this time if they'd like to. Building skills for our next course, Mastering the Art of Argument.​

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All Learners (in both options) will receive ongoing feedback and have continuous access to the instructor throughout the course via Canvas and email.

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Perfect for: Aspiring animators, filmmakers, artists, and any learner looking to build confidence in navigating social and environmental cues in a fun, low-pressure way.

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If you'd like to see some course samples you can do so here.

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All courses completed comes with a course summary and a completion certificate for their portfolios. We do not teach to specific standards, however, we do list standard connections we made in each course. ​​