Guided by Frank Patterson, CEO of Trilith Studios, this course teaches students in grades 6-8 how to create stories and short films using the powerful concept of binary tension. Through interactive lessons and video insights, students learn how to harness opposing forces in storytelling to create depth, suspense, and resolution. By the end of the course, students will have produced a short film that showcases their storytelling skills, complete with peer-reviewed revisions.
Course Highlights
- Video series featuring Frank Patterson, an industry leader in storytelling and film production
- Lesson plans designed for easy classroom integration
- Downloadable resources, including worksheets, storyboards, and assessment rubrics
- Opportunity to showcase completed short films in national competitions
Learning Outcomes
- By completing this course, students will be able to:
- Identify and explain binary tension as a core storytelling element.
- Develop stories using two opposing forces to drive the plot and character development.
- Create a short film script around the theme of “Lost & Found,” exploring conflict and resolution.
- Collaborate with peers to produce a film that conveys a clear and engaging narrative.
Course Duration
This course can be completed in approximately 3-4 hours, broken into four main lessons:
Lesson 1: Understanding Binary Tension
Students explore the concept of binary tension, learning how contrasting forces like “order vs. chaos” drive story engagement.
Lesson 2: Lost & Found Challenge
Using the theme of “Lost & Found,” students brainstorm and storyboard a short film, focusing on character emotions and story structure.
Lesson 3: Enhancing Ideas with Visual Storytelling
Frank Patterson introduces advanced storytelling techniques, such as visual metaphors and framing, encouraging students to refine their story concepts.
Lesson 4: Revision and Final Presentation
After gathering peer feedback, students finalize and present their short films in a class screening, honing their skills in visual storytelling and emotional impact.
Curriculum
Standards Addressed
Download Guide for Relevant Standards
Introduction
Course Overview
About Your Instructor
Lessons
Lesson 1 - Understanding Binary Tension in Storytelling
Lesson 2 - Lost & Found Challenge
Lesson 3 - Enhancing Short Film Ideas
Lesson 4 - Revision and Final Product
About Your Instructor
Frank Patterson is a studio executive, entrepreneur and higher education thought leader. He serves as President and CEO of Trilith Studios, the second largest purpose-built film studio in North America, where Avengers: Endgame, WandaVision and The Suicide Squad were produced, among others. Most recently, he led the transition of the studio from a facilities business to a three-pillar business focused on content, technology, and world-class facilities.
Prior to Trilith, Patterson co-founded and served as the CEO of Pulse Evolution Corporation, a technology company that produces hyper-realistic digital humans for live and virtual reality applications. While at Pulse, Patterson produced the immersive live production of Michael Jackson’s “Slave to the Rhythm” at the Billboard Music Awards, which featured an original performance by Pulse’s digital human likeness of the late Michael Jackson.
Patterson launched his entertainment career by founding and leading several film production companies, including Houston Cinema Group and Envisage Media, where he produced and directed straight-to-video feature film content as well as commercials and various video products for brands.
As an educator, Patterson teaches producing at Florida State University’s College of Motion Picture Arts, where he served as dean for 14 years. He has taught at the University of Texas and Chapman University, where he also served as associate dean, and The Los Angeles Film School, where he led the school as president.
The “Hollywood Reporter” named Patterson one of the nation’s top mentors to a generation of Hollywood filmmakers. The Florida Governor’s Office recognized him for "inspiring a generation of Florida filmmakers" and for his "contribution to and support of production in Florida."
His creative and research activities are focused at the intersection of artificial intelligence and immersive technologies, with an interest in digital human agency.
