Gal Nachshon, the founder of Zolo, is the sole teacher of Zolo School.

Certified as an educator by Kibbutzim College (TLV), BA in Film & Media studies at Hunter College (NY), along with over a decade of hands on experience.

While in person lessons are always preferable, studying film online is not inferior in any way.

Usually, the first three lessons are a very much alike for all ages and levels as they cover the basics. During this time, getting to know the student’s strengths and passions, the Zolo builds a personalized syllabus for each student or group, using accessible technology and means of communications to explore the realm of moving images. Each lesson includes hands on assignments and the students share their results via WhatsApp or sharing their screen.

Therefore, and regardless of the approach, online or in person, the students are engaged not only with film theory and production, but also with practical life skills for the digital age.

They sure are!

But they can also be a powerful weapon, like beautiful music, if only handled (and produced) with critical thought.

Instead of resisting their inevitable presence in our lives, the Zolo School utilizes the disruption of “TikTok” to teach ‘videoliteracy’, or how to read and write video. Not only in terms of production, but also theory. For instance, creating a creative illusions for a silly youtube channel about cats, can still teach us about the validity (in contrast to deep fake) of the content we watch.

To be a little dramatic: “Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer” (The Art of War). Ironically, screens allow us to do both.

While it is possible to set up a test lesson and continue as we go, the Zolo School usually recommends deciding on a set amount of lessons to provide the students a sense of structure and continuity. While some might be hesitant to commit to something new, naturally, the Zolo still suggests starting at least with three lessons that briefly cover:

• The screenplay format
• Three-act structure
• Writing a short skit