WHAT WORKS IN EDUCATION The George Lucas Educational Foundation

Digital Youth Portrait: Justin

This teenager learns advanced 3-D modeling, simulation, and animation at school. As a hobby, he combines his obsession with gaming and a passion for filmmaking to create animated movies made with recorded gameplay. More to this story.

By Amy Erin Borovoy (aka VideoAmy)
5/27/09
This teenager learns advanced 3-D modeling, simulation, and animation at school. As a hobby, he combines his obsession with gaming and a passion for filmmaking to create animated movies made with recorded gameplay. More to this story.
Download | Credits | Release Date: 5/27/2009

This video is available on the following DVDs:

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Video Credits

Produced and Directed by

  • Ken Ellis

Coordinating Producer

  • Lauren Rosenfeld

Editor

  • Karyne Holmes

Camera Crew

  • Brian Buckley
  • Brett Wiley
  • James Pride
  • Ken Ellis

Production Support

  • Amy Erin Borovoy

Production Assistant

  • Doug Keely

Senior Video Editor

  • Karen Sutherland
  • © 2009
  • The George Lucas Educational Foundation
  • All rights reserved.

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Glossary

Machinima: A term derived from machine and cinema that refers to filmmaking created through the real-time recording of computer games, virutal worlds, or any already existing three-dimensional digital environment or virtual world.

MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game): An Internet-based role-playing computer game that allows for millions of players to simultaneously engage in game play within a single online virtual world.

Maya: A three-dimensional modeling, animation, visual-effects, and rendering program.

Sources: Twinity.com, USA.Autodesk.com


Discussion Questions

1. Is Justin typical of kids in your community? Why, or why not?

2. Justin had his own laptop at a young age. Is this a good idea? Why, or why not?

3. Would you want to attend or teach at a school like McKinley? Why, or why not?

4. How would you describe the attitude of Justin's mother toward his digital lifestyle?

5. Is machinima a valid art form with learning potential? Or is it just kids goofing around?