Welcome to the website.
Colin is the creator and presenter of Making Meaning OnScreen - professional development workshops in screen production, literacy and pedagogy. His workshop programs have trained over 1,700 K-12 teachers and screen directors in Australia, Thailand, Japan, Vietnam, The Maldives, Singapore and Portugal. Colin's workshops are accredited by the NSW Institute of Teachers.
Colin is also a director of theatre production. He directed the German opera Der Freischutz with the Metropolitan Opera of Bangkok in June 2009. He was joined by New York Metropolitan Opera resident conductor: maestro David Jackson. In February 2009, Colin directed Tribute for Princess Sukhumabinan's 84th birthday celebrations at Mahidol University theatre in Bangkok.
Colin published Making Meaning OnScreen - A Student Handbook in 2007. A detailed textbook explaining the processes of screen production and screen literacy. Schools throughout NSW, Denmark and Holland are regularly using this text.
Colin also coaches on-air presenters in screen performance for news, current affairs infotainment and drama broadcasting.
This News page was updated in July 2009.
1. 2009 Making Meaning OnScreen Sydney October 28 & 29 workshop dates
2. Directing Opera - Der Freischutz in Bangkok
3. Making Meaning OnScreen - A Student Handbook - Second Edition going to print
4. Tribute performance for Princess Sukhumabinan
5. Teachers Workshops in Thailand6. Screen Teachers Advisory Group
6. Screen Workshops accredited with the NSW Institute of Teachers
7. PSP Screen workshops at Harwood Island PS and Casino HS
8. PSP Screen PD workshops at Harwood Island PS and Casino HS
9. Winner of the 2008 PSP - Priority Schools Program Best Video
10. FREE IMAX Screenings for teachers
11. ScreenHub - Screen news, jobs and what's on
1. 2009 'Making Meaning OnScreen' Sydney October workshop dates:
The next Making Meaning OnScreen teachers PD workshop will be on Wednesday 28th & Thursday 29th October at the studio in East Redfern. Click on these links for Workshop information [PDF 24KB], application forms [PDF 11KB] and testimonials [PDF 65KB].
Plus the one-day advanced workshop: Creating the Seamless Screen Story will be on Friday 30th October.
Please forward to interested teachers and colleagues. Regional workshops around New South Wales TBA, plus Thailand TBA.
2. Directing Opera - Der Freischutz in Bangkok:
In May/June 2009 Colin directed the German opera Der Freischutz by Weber with the Metropolitan Opera of Bangkok. He was joined by resident New York Metropolitan Opera conductor: maestro David Jackson. At the largest theatre in Bangkok - the Thai Cultural Centre, 48 performers and a full orchestra performed this classic German opera set in 1650's Bohemia. More information and photos: http://www.metoperabkk.com. Photos will soon be available on this site. [back to top]
3. Making Meaning OnScreen: A Student Handbook - Second Edition going to print.
The second edition is almost reaching printing. With two additional chapters and practical shooting exercises this text is a valuable teaching tool and introduction to screen production and screen literacy. The first edition has been sold to MEd and MTeach university programs and high schools in Finland and The Netherlands as well Australian schools. With so many primary school students now keen on fiction and non-fiction screen productions, film festivals and competitions abound for student entries plus school opportunities. [back to top]
4. Tribute performance for Princess Sukhumabinan's 84th birthday:
Earlier in February 2009, Colin wrote and directed Tribute for Mom Dusdi's 84th birthday celebrations at Mahidol University theatre in Bangkok. A physical theatre based production, Tribute staged two of Mom Dusdi's poems, and Thai songs with a cast of 38 performers. A short highlights video of Tribute will soon be available on this site. [back to top]
5. Teachers Workshops in Thailand:
During May/June Colin conducted acting, drama and screen production PD
workshops at Bangkok Prep International School; Roong Aroon Thai School in Thonburi and Plearnpattana School in Korat. A return visit for PD training is planned for September 2009. [back to top]
6. Screen Teachers Advisory Group:
Please let me know if you would like to join the Screen Teachers Advisory Group with other graduate teachers from the Making Meaning OnScreen workshops. Teachers from Australia and Asian gov and non-gov, and metro and non-metro schools are feeding back to me their successes and challenges in teaching screen production and literacy.
As part of this interactive, I assess DVD's of student work that is sent to me by participating teachers. I am always interested in your progress with classroom teaching of screen projects. So please let me know by email or phone. [back to top
7. Making Meaning OnScreen workshops accredited with the NSW Institute of Teachers:
Earlier this year all five of our workshops were accredited by the NSW Institute of Teachers, so that teachers can now teachers receive credited recognition for participating in the Creating the Seamless Screen Story (30th October 2009); Documentary Making; Scriptwriting for Screen and Empowering the Screen Story Teller workshops. Plus of course the most popular Making Meaning OnScreen workshop (28th & 29th October 2009). [back to top
8. PSP Screen PD workshops at Harwood Island PS and Casino HS:
In December 2008 and May 2009 regional centres hosted Making Meaning OnScreen PD workshops in Casino and Harwood Island. These intensive practical workshop days were very successful with primary and secondary teachers attending and producing some excellent video projects. I am delighted to visit regional centres and PSP schools to assist. There is clear evidence that higher learning outcomes plus literacy, numeracy and student engagement outcomes are scaffolded inside screen production and screen literacy classroom teaching. [back to top]
9. Winner of the 2008 PSP - Priority Schools Program Best Video:
The winner is Ben's Revenge Part One by Campbellfield PS. I have prepared teaching notes on this 3 minute Ben's Revenge Part One video including shot-by-shot analysis and video deconstruction, plus notes on seamless editing techniques. Contact me by email: cschumacher@csu.edu.au or phone: 0402093689 if would like to view this work. Congratulations Campbellfield PS!! [back to top]
10. ScreenHub - Screen news, jobs and what's on:
This internet service offers a valuable subscription to screen news, employment and what's on in the film and television industry. It will keep you informed about what's happening in the industry. Join now at www.screenhub.com.au [back to top]
11. FREE IMAX Screenings for Teachers
Teachers are invited to IMAX for free screenings of their latest films. Contact Julie Brown at IMAX: jbrown@imax.com.au [back to top]
Happy video making and all the very best for the rest of 2009. Please contact for any screen advice.