Running a virtual discussion after watching short films is a great way to help people think deeply about what they have seen and share their thoughts with others. It can be done for school, for a club, or just for fun with friends. The key is to make everyone feel welcome, give them a chance to speak, and keep the conversation flowing in a way that is interesting and respectful. Here is a step by step guide to help you run a virtual discussion after watching short films.
First, choose the short film you want to watch together. Make sure it is something that everyone can access easily. You can use a streaming service, a website, or a video file that everyone can watch on their own. It is best to send the link or instructions ahead of time so everyone knows what to do. If you are using a video that is protected by copyright, do not share your screen during the meeting. Instead, ask everyone to watch the film on their own before the discussion. This way, everyone can see and hear the film clearly and you avoid any problems with copyright.
Next, set up your virtual meeting. You can use a video calling tool like Zoom, Google Meet, or any other platform that works for your group. Make sure everyone knows how to join the meeting and how to use the basic features like muting and unmuting their microphone. If some people are not comfortable using video, let them know it is okay to turn their camera off. The most important thing is that everyone can hear and speak during the discussion.
Before the meeting starts, think about some questions you want to ask. Good questions help people talk about the film and share their ideas. You can ask about the story, the characters, the setting, the feelings the film gave you, or anything else that stood out. For example, you might ask What did you think happened in the film, Who was your favorite character and why, What did you like or not like about the film, or How did the film make you feel. You can also ask questions about the filmmaking, like What did you notice about the camera work, the music, or the editing. Try to have a mix of simple questions and deeper questions so everyone can join in.
When the meeting starts, begin by welcoming everyone and making sure everyone is ready. You can start with a quick round of introductions if not everyone knows each other. Then, give a brief overview of what you will be doing. Let everyone know that this is a safe space where all opinions are welcome and that there are no wrong answers. Remind people to be respectful and to listen to each other.
Now it is time to start the discussion. Begin with a simple question to get people talking. For example, you might ask What was the first thing that came to mind after watching the film. Let people share their thoughts one at a time. If someone is quiet, you can gently invite them to speak by asking What did you think about the main character or Did anything surprise you in the film. If the conversation starts to slow down, bring up another question or share your own thoughts to keep things going.
As the discussion goes on, encourage people to give reasons for their opinions. Ask them to explain why they liked or did not like something, or to give examples from the film to support their ideas. This helps everyone think more deeply and learn from each other. You can also ask people to connect the film to their own experiences or to other films they have seen. For example, you might ask Has anything like this ever happened to you or Do you know any other films that are similar to this one.
If you want to make the discussion more interactive, you can try some different activities. For example, you could ask everyone to pick their favorite scene and explain why they liked it. You could also ask people to imagine what might happen next in the story or to create a new ending for the film. Another idea is to have a short writing activity where everyone writes down their thoughts for a few minutes and then shares them with the group. These activities can help people express themselves in different ways and keep the discussion fresh.
During the discussion, it is important to keep the conversation respectful and inclusive. If someone says something that others disagree with, encourage them to explain their point of view and ask others to listen without interrupting. If the conversation gets too heated, gently steer it back to the film and remind everyone that the goal is to learn from each other. If someone is dominating the conversation, you can politely invite others to speak by saying We have not heard from everyone yet, does anyone else have something to add.
After the main discussion, you can end with a fun activity or a quick game. For example, you could ask everyone to rate the film on a scale of one to ten and share their reasons. You could also have a short quiz about the film or play a guessing game where people try to guess what the film is about based on clues. These activities can help everyone relax and have fun after a thoughtful discussion.
Running a virtual discussion after watching short films is a rewarding experience that helps people connect with each other and with the art of filmmaking. By following these steps, you can create a space where everyone feels comfortable sharing their thoughts and learning from others. The most important thing is to be patient, be open, and enjoy the process of exploring films together.
