Lesson Plan: Kodachrome (2017) – Memory, Technology, and the End of an Era

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Grade Level: High School (Grades 9–12)
Subjects: Media Studies / History / Visual Arts

“We’re all so frightened by time, the way it moves on and the way things disappear. That’s why we’re photographers. We’re preservationists by nature. We take pictures to stop time, to commit moments to eternity. Human nature made tangible.”
— Ben Ryder, Kodachrome (2017)

“Kodachrome” is based on an article that A.G. Sulzberger, who became the publisher of The New York Times this January, wrote in 2010. It concerned the international rush on Dwayne’s Photo in Parsons, Kan., which became the world’s last processor of the discontinued color film Kodachrome. Ben Kenigsberg, The New York Times

Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

  • Explain the historical and cultural significance of Kodachrome film in 20th-century photography.
  • Analyze the impact of technological change on artistic expression, memory preservation, and social behavior.
  • Reflect on personal and collective relationships to analog photography and memory-making.
  • Draw connections between a fictionalized cinematic narrative and real historical events.
  • Evaluate the trade-offs between analog and digital technologies in preserving cultural heritage.

Essential Questions

  • What does the story of Kodachrome teach us about how we remember the past?
  • How does the loss of a technology affect our sense of history, identity, and culture?
  • Can digital media offer the same emotional or historical depth as analog formats?

Materials Needed

  • Film: Excerpts or trailer from Kodachrome (2017) directed by Mark Raso

Lesson Procedure

1. Engagement: Memory & Media

  • Open with a conversation about how students and their families take and store photos today.
  • Ask: “Do you or your family still keep printed photo albums, or are most of your pictures digital?”
  • Introduce Kodachrome (2017) as a film based on the true story of the final days of Kodachrome processing. Emphasize its themes of nostalgia, legacy, and technological change.

2. Viewing & Initial Response

  • Show a meaningful scene from Kodachrome that illustrates the emotional stakes tied to developing the last rolls of film (suggested: the road trip sequence or a father-son moment that ties photography to memory).

  • Facilitate discussion:

  • What emotions are portrayed in this scene?
  • Why is it important to the characters to preserve these photos?
  • What does this urgency tell us about photography’s role in their lives?

3. Historical Context: The Kodachrome Legacy

  • Share a summary or excerpts from The New York Times article:

    • Kodachrome was introduced in 1935 and was renowned for its rich, vivid colors and archival durability.
    • It became a favorite for journalists, artists, and families across generations.
    • By 2010, only Dwayne’s Photo in Kansas still processed Kodachrome, marking the end of an era when it ceased operations.

  • Show historical images taken with Kodachrome and discuss its cultural symbolism.

4. Class Discussion: Technology, Art, and Memory

Lead students through a broader conversation:

  • Have you ever used a film camera? Do your families still have slides, prints, or videotapes?
  • How does the ease and speed of digital photography change how we capture and value memories?
  • What do we gain—and what might we lose—when older technologies become obsolete?

5. Creative Reflection

  • Invite students to share a family photo and tell the story behind it. Digital or printed photos are both welcome.
  • Writing Prompt:

“Imagine you had only one roll of film left. What would you choose to photograph, and why?”

Encourage students to reflect on what moments, people, or places feel worth preserving forever—and why.

Assessment

  • Thoughtful participation in class discussions
  • Completion of a personal reflection (oral or written)
  • Optional short response:

“What does the story of Kodachrome teach us about change, memory, and the role of technology in our lives?”

 

Key Points to Emphasize

  • Kodachrome was a symbol of permanence and artistry in photography. Its unique colors and longevity made it a treasured tool for storytelling.
  • The end of Kodachrome represents not just the loss of a technology, but the loss of a slower, more intentional way of remembering.
  • The transition from analog to digital has fundamentally changed how we experience memory, presence, and permanence.
  • Through personal stories and cultural artifacts, we can better understand the emotional and social dimensions of technological change.

Updated References and Resources

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