In the first-year curriculum, students often perceive Civil Procedure as more difficult and less interesting than their other required courses. In addition to the reality that most people are visual learners, today's students, who grew up with MTV and video games, are particularly attuned to visual entertainment and popular culture. Based on the reality that before one can teach, one needs the students' attention, and based on the theory that students learn and retain more information when they are engaged, this presentation addresses the use of film in Civil Procedure classes. Short film clips serve-depending on the film-as an example of a topic discussed, as a means of exploring what legal options might exist, as a means of providing context, or as a springboard to discussing other perspectives, such as procedural justice or comparative law.

Most Civil Procedure professors are aware of the potential uses of the film (and book) A Civil Action, which in turn generated A Documentary Companion to A Civil Action by Lewis Grossman and Robert Vaughn, containing documents from the underlying case. However, many professors want the visual advantage of using film, but need a less ambitious course supplement due to time constraints. The use of short film clips from a wide range of films introduces variety into the classroom without a long-term distraction or commitment.

The choices of films to use for this purpose are broader than one might imagine. In general, a seven- to ten-minute film clip is ideal-long enough to pull the students in, yet not so long as to feel that the class is being spent just watching movies. Film clips can be used to illustrate an amazing range of material, including background to specific cases, deposition practice, document production, class actions, voir dire, opening statements, judgment as a matter of law, and motions for new trial.

This presentation will discuss the use of films in Civil Procedure generally, and then will provide specific examples for use in the Civil Procedure classroom.