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Fred Walsh, Superintendent

Kevin Lopez, Founding Principal

motionpicturehs.org

IG: @motionpicturenyc

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*MPT Brand Design created by CCA’s Brand Studios

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MISSION: To create a sustainable pathway for aspiring filmmakers from diverse backgrounds, preparing them for rewarding creative and technical careers in Film and Television.

VISION: LIGHTS. CAMERA. ACCESS. Shaping the future of Film & Television, through public education.

CORE VALUES: Creativity Innovation Opportunity

MPT STUDENTS will become Strong Collaborators,

Communicators, and Creative Problem Solvers

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  • Native New Yorker, born in Queens

  • Over 15 years of Film Education Experience

  • Co-writer of the 1st NYS Media Arts Standards

  • Co-creator of THE SUMMER DESIGN INSTITUTE in partnership with HBO and Warner Bros. Discovery

  • NYC Arts Office Moving Image Blueprint Coordinator

  • Assistant Principal of Art & CTE @ The High School of Art & Design

  • Independent Film Producer

Founding Principal

KEVIN A. LOPEZ

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Q472 / District 30

53-16 Northern Boulevard,

Woodside, Queens NY

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New Building Q472: Opening Sept. 2025

Queens Innovation Center

Located at 53-16 Northern Blvd. in District 30

Capacity of approximately 3,066 seats for 3 Pathway High Schools

Ground-up construction

Beginning in the 2025-2026 School Year:

  • Motion Picture Technical High School (30Q367)
  • Gotham Tech High School (30Q417)
  • Northwell School of Health Sciences (30Q472) and P993Q

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The Motion Picture Tech is a public high school at the intersection of Media Arts & CTE committed to creating an inclusive pathway to careers in the Film & Television Industries.

We prepare young diverse students to become film & media industry professionals, teaching students the creative and technical skills to take on below-the-line production roles in film and television.

PURPOSE OF SCHOOL

  1. ARTISTIC EXPRESSION

  • TECHNICAL SKILL & MASTERY

  • FILM THEORY & HISTORY

  • SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING

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ABOVE THE LINE: 5% OF JOBS IN THE FILM & TV INDUSTRY

BELOW THE LINE: 95% OF JOBS IN THE FILM & TV INDUSTRY

PRODUCTION

CRAFTS

CAMERA

LIGHTING

SOUND

EDITING

VIDEO EFFECTS

ANIMATION

PRODUCTION DESIGN

Hair & Makeup

COSTUME

POST PRODUCTION

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DIVERSITY CHALLENGE IN

BELOW-THE-LINE CAREERS

Production Designers

5.9%

POC

94.1%

White

Camera Operators

18.2%

POC

81.8%

White

Animators

62.3%

White

37.7%

POC

Editors

68.5%

White

31.5%

POC

7.3% LatinX

5.6% Asian

4% Black

Customers

72%

White

28%

POC

14% LatinX

11% Asian

9% Black

Costumers

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The Opportunity

PLACE IMAGE HERE

These aren’t just jobs – they’re good jobs. And there are plenty of them.

  • 95% of industry jobs are technical, behind-the-camera roles - BIPOC workers only make up 5% of the current pool.
  • 65,000 below-the-line production job opportunities exist in the industry.
  • Salaries in the entertainment industry are 47% higher than the national average.
  • Across the country, $84 billion in wages were earned by entertainment industry workers in 2022.

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  • New York City has long played a vital role in the global film and television industry.

Likewise, film & television has greatly influenced the city’s development, both culturally and economically.

  • In 2019, the film and television industry in New York City supported approximately

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At Motion Picture Technical High School, we strive to create an inclusive, collaborative, project-based learning environment where film and media arts are integrated into all subjects.

Through interdisciplinary integration of film and media arts, we empower students to develop and excel in essential 21st-century skills.

Educational Approach

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ACADEMIC COURSES

  • English Language Arts (ELA)
  • Mathematics: Grade 9 math courses typically include Algebra I or an equivalent course.
  • Science: Students often take Earth Science or Living Environment (Biology) in grade 9.
  • Social Studies: Grade 9 Global Studies.
  • Physical Education (PE)
  • Health Education
  • Foreign Language: Motion Picture Tech aims to offer Spanish to incoming 9th graders.
  • CTE / Film Foundation Classes

Freshman Core Courses:

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Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs provide academic and technical instruction alongside work-based learning experiences to high school students in public school systems.

WHATS IS

?

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CTE students take industry-specific courses, work-based learning opportunities and certifications in order to be better prepared for their next steps after high school.

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INTERSECTION OF

MEDIA ARTS & CTE

Creating a pathway for NYC students from diverse backgrounds, preparing them for fulfilling and well-paying CREATIVE & TECHNICAL careers in the film and television sectors.

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9th GRADE FILM FOUNDATION CURRICULUM MAP: TERM 1

September 2024:

Introduction to Film & TV Production

Overview of film production phases and job roles.

Understanding the 3 Film / CTE Pathways: Technical, Post-Production, Crafts

Story and Character Development

Designing pitch decks and bibles

October 2024:

Camera Techniques and Storyboarding

Camera shots, angles, movement, 180 degree rule.

Storyboards and shot list creation.

Understanding the power of Visual Language.

November 2024:

Post-Production Basics

Introduction to editing and VFX.

Basic training in Avid, DaVinci Resolve, Premiere Pro, and/or After Effects.

December 2024:

Lighting and Sound

Lighting terminology and roles.

Sound design and mixing basics.

January 2025:

Art Department / Production

Design Set design, Wardrobe, HMU

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9th GRADE FILM FOUNDATION CURRICULUM MAP: TERM 2

February 2025:

Pre-Production Skills & Planning

Screenwriting, shot lists, location scouting

Table reads, scheduling, budgeting, casting

Set Binder compilation

March 2025:

Principal Production Experience

On-set terminology and protocols.

Hands-on equipment training: camera, sound, lighting.

Filming of short narrative films on set.

April 2025:

Marketing & Distribution

Submit short films to NYC Public School Film Festivals

Film Marketing and Distribution 101

Developing an Audience

May 2025:

Beyond Production

Dive into Below-The-Line Professions and Adjacent Industries

Understanding IATSE

Exploring Film Financing and Grant Writing

Colleges and Universities with Film Programs

June 2025:

Finding Your Authentic Voice in Film

Film Theory / Film Critique

Students Select their Film / CTE Pathways

1st Annual Motion Picture Film Expo

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MPT CTE MEDIA & DESIGN LEARNING AREAS

TECHNICAL THEATER DESIGN & FASHION DESIGN �CTE PATHWAY

ANIMATION &

GRAPHIC DESIGN

CTE PATHWAY

FILM & VIDEO PRODUCTION

CTE PATHWAY

Craft Design

  • Art Direction
  • Costume Design
  • Hair and Makeup

Post-Production

  • Editing
  • Visual Effects
  • Animation

Video Production

  • Camera
  • Lighting
  • Sound

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THANK

YOU!

QUESTIONS / COMMENTS

klopez28@schools.nyc.gov

@motionpicturenyc