#MediaMonday: October Lessons

Good Morning Everyone,

It is coming onto the season of students wanting to interact with creepy things. 

When the first day of Autumn rolls in, I am always waiting for the broadcast students to cover ghost stories and for film students to ask for scry movie recommendations. While the average teenager is typically a morbid, twisted little creature by nature, October tends to lend itself to be a tempering vessel (or a crucible if you will) for the macabre. 

Instead of avoiding it, I would like to suggest that, even if you are not a film teacher or if you have a "no-ghost story policy", that you take the time to entertain the students in their endeavor to find connection to the season. Therefore, this month's lesson focus will be totally centered around October-themed lessons and today's is a personal favorite of mine.

Teach Lois Weber's short film, Suspense.

One of the early directors of American cinema was a particularly amazing woman by the name of Lois Weber. 

You can read all about her here: https://wfpp.columbia.edu/pioneer/ccp-lois-weber/

Suspense is a 10 minute short thriller that will leave you on the edge of your seat the entire time. The amazing thing about this film is how ground-breaking this film was for its' time. Shot in 1913, it features on the first car chases (and arguably the best one to-date in 1913) as well as some of the earliest examples of split screen. Amazingly, the great Lois Weber directed the film while simultaneously being cast as the film's leading lady! 

The film has it all: mistaken identity, police chases, and hobos!

Here is the film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NanL66EuLxQ

As you watch this film with your students, I highly recommend encouraging them to  see this film with 1913 eyes. This film broke ground and did so elegantly. Also, have your students research Lois Weber beforehand. If we have students in 2021 that are discussing Lois Weber as a master filmmaker, all hope is not lost for the future!

Some suggestions for discussion questions could be:

• What about this film is still suspenseful and how does that speak to the timeless nature of cinema? 

• Which character was the strongest?

• What did you notice about the cinematography of this film and how can you apply that to your own work?

• What is your takeaway? What will you remember from this film?

• What are you going to remember about Lois Weber?

I hope you enjoy this thriller from 1913 and that your students enjoy the experience is jumping back in time for 10 minutes with a master director at the helm. 

Talk to you soon,

Josh Cantrell