History of the Invention of the Motion Picture Camera.

1. Louis Lumiere said the cinema is an invention without a future. Although he was not the first to invent a motion picture camera or to project a film, he is credited with being the first to do so. Why do you think this is? How were his ideas in 1895 revolutionary compared to their contemporaries? In what ways was Lumiere ahead of his time? How does the above quote reflect your ideas and opinions about film? What does it mean?

2. Edward Muybridge is considered the father of the motion picture even though he never experimented with a motion picture camera. Using a fast-shutter still camera, he was able to take photos of moving objects which created the illusion of motion when shown in rapid succession. Examine the photos taken by Muybridge. Then discuss whether or not these photos qualify as motion pictures. Do you agree or disagree that Muybridge was the father of moving pictures? Although he was innovative with a still camera, was he treading new ground for cinema? What or who do you consider to be the key starting person or event of motion picture history?

Official Website for the Imax System.

1. What are the advantages/ disadvantages of IMAX film? Why would someone choose to watch a film in IMAX versus in a regular cinema format? Why aren't more films shot on IMAX film? Is it worth it to you to pay a little extra money to view an IMAX film?

2. Why do you think so many documentaries are shot using IMAX film? IMAX films are hailed are being powerful educational tools. Why do you think this is? How are IMAX films more powerful teaching tools than traditional cinematic films? Has a film ever had a life-changing impact on your life?

Indie Film Web is an organization that works to connect distributors with independent film makers in order to get the independent film released.

1. Read through the list of archival films. If you were a film distributor, which of the films would you select to distribute? Why did you choose the ones you did? How do the films resemble the commercial films in cinemas? How are they different? Would this website be helpful to you as a distributor in providing you with adequate information about the films? What, if anything, would you change to better fit the needs of a film distributor?

2. Is there a trend in the films being advertised on this website? What similarities do the films have to each other? How are they similar/ different from commercial films? What does this tell you about popular trends in independent film? What do you notice about the filmmakers? Are there similarities between them as well?

An Online Resourse for Filmmakers, Including Information on Film Production.

1. What is the purpose of the website? How is it a useful resource for those interested in filmmaking? What are the advantages/disadvantages of this website for those interested in film? Why do you think it's called assistantdirectors.com? How reliable is the information on this website? Which information category is most interesting to you?

2. Look through the production central link for your state. What did you learn about filmmaking where you live? What sorts of films are usually made in your state? Why do you think there is/is not a lot of film work in your state? How is this site helpful to learning about the art of film in your own community?

An Independent Film Production Resource.

1. After examining the website, how would you rate it as far as usefulness for an aspiring independent filmmaker? How user friendly is the site? What would be the most useful link to you if you were interested in acting or directing independent films?

2. Look at some of the links under the film festivals category. What is the structure of the festivals? Which festivals are the most prestigious? Are there specific festivals for certain types of films? How hard is it to be accepted as a filmmaker into a festival? Is anyone allowed to attend? Why are film festivals so important to independent filmmakers?

An Advocacy Group For The Wide Screen/Letterbox Format.

1. There is much disagreement between film artists and consumers over wide screen versus full screen home videos and DVDs. What is the basis for the argument? Why are artists so adamant about wide screen film? Why do many consumers prefer full screen films? Which format do you prefer? Why do you think most DVDs are only available in wide screen? How important is film format to you? Do you think such an in-depth website on wide screen format is a necessary and/ or useful tool as a film practitioner?

2. Read the artist's rights section of the website. Do you agree or disagree with the arguments being made? Do you think full screen movie format is a violation of the artist's work? In what other ways are films changed and adapted? Are these violations of artist's rights? How important is it to honor the original intent of the filmmaker? How important is it to meet the demands of the majority of home video consumers?

Official Website for the Screenwriters Guild of America.

1. How does a person become a member of the Screenwriters Guild of America? Why would a screenwriter want to become a member? What are the advantages/ disadvantages of joining a union? What is the difference between the SGA and the WGA?

2. What resources are available to help aspiring screenwriters? How would you go about selling a script? What is the process you and your script have to go through? How do you copyright a script? How is this website a valid resource for those interested in screenwriting?

Discussion of the Studio System and Hollywood in the 1930's.

1. What were the advantages of the studio system? How did the studio system help film rise to the most popular entertainment medium? Why did the studio system break up? Is the studio system in existence today? How different do you think films would be if they still operated under the 1930s Hollywood studio system?

2. What has become of the "big five" studios today? Look at the websites for each of the studios. What is their primary function today? Are they still successful? How have the studios preserved their reputations as THE major film studios of the 1930s? Into what markets have these companies expanded?

Provides Information About Filmmaker Stan Brakhage, Including Selected Filmography.

1. Who is Stan Brakhage? How is he important to your study of film? Why is he an important figure in the film world? Have you seen any of his films? Based on their titles, can you find a common theme that runs through his films? How have his films evolved over 50 years?

2. What is underground cinema? Research the underground cinema of the 1960s. How did Stan Brakhage participate in the spread of the movement? What sorts of films would you consider underground today. If you were going to make an underground film, what issues would you want to discuss through your film? Why do you think it would be successfully told through the medium of film?