Ghetto Film School Students Receive Special Visits and Brainstorm Big Projects

Seniors in the elective class Ghetto Film School have begun brainstorming ideas for their full-year film projects. Prior to the session, they had watched the documentaries Surviving Nova, created by Gilad Thaler '08, and Paperclips, produced by Matthew Hiltzik '90; together, they discussed how the films' topics and techniques inspired what they wished to explore in their own work. Mr. Thaler and Mr. Hiltzik visited the class and participated in the conversation, offering insight and answering questions to give students a deeper understanding of the filmmaking process. The seniors had free reign to generate ideas: the only requirements for the project are that it must have a video component and that the students must be excited about it! The course's flexible approach allows the students to develop their own curriculum, thereby cultivating the students' growth and creativity. Since Ghetto Film School is a broader nonprofit organization that connects different schools together, these Ramaz seniors also have a built-in opportunity to engage with people outside of their everyday community. As they practice film techniques, delve into discussion with their peers, and connect with the broader Ghetto Film School community, they gain invaluable education and life skills that they will use in their artistic pursuits and beyond.