Hello and Welcome to The Past - In the Pictures, a site devoted to Historical Teaching using feature films.
   
There is a vast amount of useful clips in Hollywood Blockbusters, and recent technology now means that we are able to use these clips more effectively in the classroom. My initial idea was to provide these clips to educators, but Copyright has meant that thusfar, this idea cannot take off. However, in this site you will find ideas about how to make use of films in Historical teaching, guidance on how to do this effectively, and links to relevant films you may wish to buy for your own viweing pleasure or for use in your department. So sit back, relax and use a movie or two.
   
Initially you obviously need the media, and most departments have a huge socks of feature films, either in DVD, or VHS format. Both of these formats can be transferred into files that can be manipulated and edited for use with a laptop and projector in the classroom. Here you will find guidance on how to do this!
   
When working with DVD's, no extra equipment is needed other than a piece of software called "Fair use". Mr Belshaw provides excellent guidance on how to use this software on his site HERE!
   
When working with VHS, some hardware is needed, however it is well worth the investment, and will make your video collection last a lifetime. See the link opposite for the type of hardware required! They are easy to use. All you do is plug the hardware into your USB, and then hook your video up to the hub and press record! Your video will be converted into an AVI file which you can now edit Ta daa!
   
Once you have turned your film into AVI format, you can edit it to anything you want! You can clip it, so you are only using the section of video you want, add effects to it, add text, pretty much do whatever you like, the world is your oyster! Most schools will already have a movie edit software package, so ask you tekkies before wasting money! If you don't have this type of software available, then check out the opposite link!
   
When you can edit, and produce clips that you can use via your laptop and Projector you have a portable Cinema you can take anywhere with you and captivate your classes. You can use them at any time, and you don't need to wheel the old TV and Video into the class for a 2 minute clip! I use video a lot in my teaching, and it is a style of teaching pupils enjoy, and get a lot out of, Following the buttons at the top of the screen will take you to various lessons using movie clips. You are welcome to copy and modify them as much as you please!
 
Sit back, Relax, and enjoy The Past......In the Pictures!