Film Studies at Shadow Ridge High School is not only an educational class but also entertaining, Mrs. Webb makes it clear that her main goal is for students to be comfortable, learn, and have fun. Film is something everyone has grown up with, whether it’s watching animated movies at home or going to the theater with family. This is what makes her class special because every student comes in with their own background, opinions, and experiences with movies.
Mrs. Webb says, “We learn about lighting, sound, editing, shots, camera movement, plot, and much, much more.”
By learning these details, students get to see movies in a whole new way.
One of the things that makes Film Studies stand out is how much students get to voice their opinions and how respectful and kind Mrs.Webb is to all of them.
According to Mrs. Webb, “It’s fun to see how students view each film’s themes and lessons from different perspectives.”
In her class, students don’t just watch films, they break them down and discuss what they mean, the different camera angles and what kind of emotion it creates. That means one movie can spark ten different viewpoints in each student, which makes every conversation interesting.
“I never realized how much work goes into just one scene of a movie. Now when I watch films, I pay attention to the little things like camera angles and background music,” sophomore, Alex Lopez, explained.
Students leave the class entertained and with a new appreciation for filmmaking. Another big part of the experience are the emotions that movies bring out.
Mrs. Webb puts it best when she says, “Where else can we all sit down in a class, be shocked, cry, or find hope together?”
This is what makes the class feel more like a fun experience than a traditional subject. Students get to bond over their reactions to films, whether that’s laughing, getting emotional, or even jump scared.
Junior student Mia Rodriguez added, “Watching a movie in class is different because we all experience it at the same time. It feels like a community, and I love hearing how my classmates interpret the story.”
At the heart of Film Studies is not only learning, but also inspiration. Mrs. Webb shared her favorite movie quote from The Fighting Temptations, “When life makes you have to put up with mean and hateful people, just think of ‘em as sandpaper. They may scratch you, rub you the wrong way… But eventually, you’ll end up smooth and polished. And the sandpaper? It’s just goin’ be worn out and ugly.”
Just like in the movies, life is always going to be full of challenges as well as change, but the lessons they take from stories and experiences, and from people, can shape film viewers into better people.
