AATE / ALEA x ACTF
ACTion to impact
Australian Teachers of Media National Conference
Screen Horizons is set to be a celebration of the excellence in Screen and Media education and industry practices. The conference will encourage delegates to think critically and with anticipation about the issues, skills, qualities on the Horizon of Screen and Media education and industry in Australia, and globally.
The conference takes place at Bond University, Gold Coast from 7th – 9th July 2023.
Virtual workshop - Round the Twist, Storyboards and VFX
Storyboards use visuals to effectively communicate ideas during the filmmaking process, producing a blueprint for cast and crew ahead of shooting scenes. VFX (visual effects) take a lot of planning and creative problem solving. The VFX storyboards for Round the Twist were integral in the production of all the wacky and fun moments in the beloved series. From creepy dolls, to glowing cabbage patch babies, skateboarding brains, dragons and ghosts (just to name a few!)
Join ACTF and ACMI in this virtual workshop to explore the award-winning television series Round the Twist where students will learn the importance of storyboarding when creating VFX. During the session, students will have the opportunity to explore original hand-drawn storyboards and hear from Dennis Nicholson, VFX Supervisor for Round the Twist Series 3 & 4. ACTF and ACMI educators will then share tips and tricks on how to create similar VFX in your classroom.
Virtual workshop – Book Week event: Storytelling with Nadia Wheatley
Since its publication over 30 years ago, Nadia Wheatley and Donna Rawlins’ picture book My Place has been an unwavering favourite in Australian classrooms and homes. The My Place television series adapts this classic book into 26 episodes of children’s television.
Both on the page and on screen, My Place tells the story of an Australian community through the eyes of the diverse children who lived there over time, highlighting the ways that people and places shape our personal, local and national histories.
Hosted by the ACTF and ACMI, this virtual learning event for 2023 Book Week gives students the chance to learn from award-winning author, Nadia Wheatley. Nadia will discuss the screen adaptation of My Place and share her own approaches to storytelling and writing. Students will complete a short writing task and have a chance to ask Nadia their questions.
2023 My Place Competition
The 2023 My Place Competition theme is ‘Play and Imagination’.
This creative writing competition is open to primary students in Years 1 to 6, secondary students in Years 7 and 8, and special education students of all ages.
Entrants are asked to explore how children throughout history have used their imaginations to play, and what their play might tell us about life in the past, present and future.
The competition runs during Term 3, with submissions being accepted between 28 August – 29 September. Winning entries will be announced in Term 4.
Latest Resources
NAIDOC Resource: For Our Elders (F-10)
NAIDOC week is an opportunity to highlight First Nations perspectives in the classroom. In 2023, the NAIDOC Week theme is For Our Elders. We acknowledge the continued achievements, contributions, and knowledges of Elders in our communities.
We are proud to present these engaging learning tasks for students in F-10. The leading knowledge holders who feature on our screens are to be shared for NAIDOC and beyond – to celebrate our Elders.
Our World on Screen resource (F – 6)
Why and how do we share screen stories about our world? What story would you like to share – and how will you tell it?
Digital Music Composition resource (Years 3 – 8)
Join the deadly artists from the Digital Lab, on Ngarluma Ngurra in Western Australia’s remote Pilbara region, to learn the process of making music for a television series. The factual series Red Dirt Riders features original digital beats composed by 16 First Nations artists working with music mentor, Mark Leahy. Gain access to exclusive behind-the-scenes footage starring the young artists who made the beats, then be guided in creating an original digital music masterpiece to combine with a scene from the series.
The Deep resource (Years 3 – 6)
Created by the ACTF in collaboration with the Australian National Maritime Museum, this learning resource supports students and teachers in Years 3 to 6 to explore the award-winning animated television series The Deep in the classroom and beyond.
Based on the graphic novels by Tom Taylor and James Brouwer, The Deep follows the adventures of the Nekton family - a brilliant team of underwater explorers. With state-of-the-art technology and an unquenchable thirst for discovery, the Nektons explore the mysterious depths of the ocean, where most of our world lies unexplored and unexplained. Read more about the series in the About The Deep section.
Media Representations resource (Years 5 – 6)
This learning resource builds media literacy by examining how and why representations of people, places and ideas are constructed for television.
MaveriX resource (Years 5 – 6)
Developed for Year 5 and 6 teachers and students, this resource details 10 lessons on teamwork and leadership. These can be delivered consecutively as a learning sequence or as standalone lessons.
Each lesson incorporates curriculum links, a relevant MaveriX clip, discussion starters to prompt classroom conversation, and learning tasks aimed at developing students’ teamwork and leadership knowledge and skills.
Latest Content
Barrumbi Kids
A coming-of-age adventure about two best friends, Tomias and Dahlia, growing up together on Country, dealing with the dreams and challenges of childhood in a remote Northern Territory community.
Built To Survive
Phil Breslin gets up close to the world’s most unique creatures to reveal the ultimate survivors of Australia’s most extreme habitats.
Crazy Fun Park
A shy teen wants desperately to fit in and enjoy his high school years if only his dead best friend and a posse of rotting ghouls would stop sabotaging him at every turn.
Kangaroo Beach - Series 2
Four young animal friends, Pounce, Gemma, Neville and Frizzy, spend an action-packed summer at the spectacular Kangaroo Beach, training as junior cadets with their lifeguard heroes. When an emergency breaks out, the cadets step up to help keep the water safe.
The PM's Daughter
Cat is like any other teenager, with one difference: her mother is the new Prime Minister of Australia. Along with her new friends, Cat navigates life in the spotlight, while tracking down a hidden threat to her mum.