Filmmaking AND Teaching...

"I have come to believe that a great teacher is a great artist, and that there are as few as there are other great artists. Teaching might even be the greatest of the arts since the medium is the human mind and spirit."                                                 -- John Steinbeck

I have to admit, I had to re-read Eisners Aesthetic Modes of Knowing several times before I really grasped the concept. Given that I'm not a teacher, my perspective throughout this course will certainly be less of an insight about why something goes well or not, and hopefully more of a fresh way of looking at something. 

In the first assignment, we were asked to think of a domain in which professionals intentionally create compelling experiences for others, and I chose filmmaking.  The list of “Eisner-ian forms” professionals in this field use to create a "compelling experience" for the audience consists of:  script, music, acting, lighting, composition, special/visual effects, etc...  Filmmaking is the art of storytelling.  A filmmaker uses this wide range of forms to help tell a story, and bring an emotional experience to the audience.  In filmmaking, these forms are broken down into departments, and the Director works collaboratively with them to convey his/her vision. 

The connection I see (the "imaginative bridge") in the work of a filmmaker and a teacher places the Teacher in the role of Director.  Just as the Director has a vision, so does the teacher.  A teacher in a classroom is very similar to a Director on a film set.  A good Director will encourage his crew to bring fresh ideas to the table, and create an environment where the various departments will strive to do their best.  Even though the Director is in charge, the smart ones utilize the experience and talent of the crew members they have selected.

A bad film Director will utilize this same power to not control the film, but attempt to control the crew hired by the production.  This is often driven by ego, and certainly doesn’t foster the creative collaboration of the crew.  Under these circumstances, the individual departments naturally tend to do “just enough” instead of going the extra mile to really create something special within their realm of expertise.  It’s really a big mistake for someone in charge to hire a very experienced and talented crew, then not make them feel part of the collaborative process of filmmaking.

There is a direct correlation between the affect a film Director can have on his/her crew, and the affect a teacher can have on their students.  By creating the right environment, a teacher can motivate their students to strive for something special.  In this instance, both the students and the teacher excel, and realize the most benefit and satisfaction from their work.