Media Arts & Film Lab

Founded in 2017, the Media Arts & Film Lab (MAFL)  is Windward School’s multimedia storytelling lab space and program. From Animation to Film, our students create impactful multimedia stories for any screen.
ANIMATION
Windward offers four years of Upper School Animation courses exploring time-based media with an emphasis on developing a student’s personal voice and portfolio. Students acquire a breadth of technical skills including traditional and 2D animation, rotoscoping, and 3D animation using software such as Blender and the Adobe Creative Suite. As students matriculate, they are mentored in advanced animation techniques geared toward creating short, animated films, which they submit to national competitions and festivals. Simultaneously, the classroom environment and curriculum helps to foster characteristics of resilience, empathy, and independence.
FILM
Film at Windward fosters a community of creative collaborative storytellers. Windward offers four years of film study, from introductory to Honors level classes. The program is designed to nurture the next generation of storytellers in a collaborative and inclusive environment. Students are encouraged to find their voice by working with their peers to bring their stories to life. As film students progress through the program, they have opportunities to film on location with professional actors. They are encouraged to submit their films to film festivals as they gain confidence in their work.
MEDIA ARTS
Our Middle School Media Arts courses are a rich and comprehensive introduction to the art of visual storytelling. Students learn the basics of time-based media, gaining foundational skills in 2D and 3D animation, photography, music/sound, and video. Students study the fundamentals of cinema, and have the opportunity to make a variety of their own films over the course of each school year.
FILM PRODUCTION

For curious students who are unable to commit to the Film 1-4 Honors track, they can explore filmmaking in this multi-grade level Film Production course. As a year-long class cohort, students will produce one to two films while exploring every stage of the filmmaking process and its crafts: pitching, treatment writing, screenwriting, storyboarding, rehearsing, production management, set and costume design, cinematography, production logistics, sound design, acting/performance, editing, film scoring, and more.

Acting for the camera and auditioning techniques will be guided by Performing Arts faculty leader Natasha Arnold, and offer additional opportunities to audition and act on camera. At the end of the year in May, students will exhibit their films on the big screen at the Media Arts & Film Labs Showcase!


STUDENT WORK