To finish the year, ETA Kylie Eiselstein was delighted to share her expertise in film and media with her co-teacher, Ibu Ika, in their Year XI Advanced English classes. Students were asked to create a short film about a social issue they see in their communities or at school and produce a five-minute film. Kylie taught the students the basics of scriptwriting, the differences between wide, medium, and close shots, and other helpful tips to consider when making their films.

Students’ projects explored a range of topics, including the effects of trauma, online gaming, the “sandwich generation,” and fairness in hiring practices. In addition to screening their short films in class, students gave presentations about the filming process. Many shared the benefits and positive experiences of working on this project, highlighting collaboration and developing hands-on skills such as handling a camera and using video editing apps. Common challenges included scheduling conflicts and difficulties with editing audio clips.

Kylie and Ibu Ika were very proud of the students for tackling such complex topics and loved seeing the time, dedication, and creativity that went into their projects. Having graduated from film school two years ago before shifting to a career in teaching, Kylie found it a meaningful full-circle moment to see her students creating their films!

Kylie Eiselstein is currently teaching at SMA Santo Paulus Pontianak, West Kalimantan.