Objective: Students will learn the basic functions of Keynote software and create an animated lettering presentation. 50 pts possible
This project requires student class participation.
This project requires student class participation.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
2nd Semester, 1st quarter Assignments
Students are expected to keep up with assignments. This means:
1) Writing objectives for each day (dated) on a single sheet to be kept inside student's folder. Objective sheets will be turned in at the end of each quarter for grading (5 pts each for each legible and dated objective, worth about 100 pts for each quarter).
2) Term of the Day: TOTDs are also written on a running sheet of paper, dated, and kept inside student folders, for handy reference. Also turned in at the quarter's end for 5 pts each.
3) Assignments related to preproduction: synopses, storyboards, group crew lists, etc.
4) Production: The actual work of filming. Your videos won't make themselves, and waiting for somebody else to do the work for you will result in points off your project. Don't believe for a minute that Ms. Hawks doesn't take notice of who is working and who is slacking.
5) Postproduction: It is very easy to allow one or two people in your group to do all the editing work, but team members need to be sharing time on the editor.
6) Assessment: When video projects are screened, it is up to each student to write a minimum amount of evaluations.
7) Team Assessment: The team member evaluation (including yourself) is an important piece of self and team reflection. No matter how good you are, there is most likely room for improvement, so nobody should be rated all 4s.
Assignments so Far:
Jan 4, Synopis: 20 pts: Each student must write a one sentence synopsis of a movie.
Jan 6, Storyboards; 50 pts: Each student must draw 5 storyboard panels for the Movie Trailer Project
Jan 7, Terms of the Day #1 - 8, 40 pts
Jan 27, MTP Checklist, 25 pts
Jan 31, Keynote Animation (in class participation) 50 pts
Feb 3, Camera Angle #2 Movie Trailer Project Rough Cut: 240 possible points
Feb 11, Team Evaluation, 20 pts
Feb 15, MTP Evaluations, 100 pts
Feb 28, Character Outline, 30 pts
March 2, Keynote Animated Character 1-2 page script - 50 pts
March 4, Keynote Anthropormorphized Animation - 200 pts
March 8 Terms of the Day #'s 9 - 18 - 50 pts
1) Writing objectives for each day (dated) on a single sheet to be kept inside student's folder. Objective sheets will be turned in at the end of each quarter for grading (5 pts each for each legible and dated objective, worth about 100 pts for each quarter).
2) Term of the Day: TOTDs are also written on a running sheet of paper, dated, and kept inside student folders, for handy reference. Also turned in at the quarter's end for 5 pts each.
3) Assignments related to preproduction: synopses, storyboards, group crew lists, etc.
4) Production: The actual work of filming. Your videos won't make themselves, and waiting for somebody else to do the work for you will result in points off your project. Don't believe for a minute that Ms. Hawks doesn't take notice of who is working and who is slacking.
5) Postproduction: It is very easy to allow one or two people in your group to do all the editing work, but team members need to be sharing time on the editor.
6) Assessment: When video projects are screened, it is up to each student to write a minimum amount of evaluations.
7) Team Assessment: The team member evaluation (including yourself) is an important piece of self and team reflection. No matter how good you are, there is most likely room for improvement, so nobody should be rated all 4s.
Assignments so Far:
Jan 4, Synopis: 20 pts: Each student must write a one sentence synopsis of a movie.
Jan 6, Storyboards; 50 pts: Each student must draw 5 storyboard panels for the Movie Trailer Project
Jan 7, Terms of the Day #1 - 8, 40 pts
Jan 27, MTP Checklist, 25 pts
Jan 31, Keynote Animation (in class participation) 50 pts
Feb 3, Camera Angle #2 Movie Trailer Project Rough Cut: 240 possible points
Feb 11, Team Evaluation, 20 pts
Feb 15, MTP Evaluations, 100 pts
Feb 28, Character Outline, 30 pts
March 2, Keynote Animated Character 1-2 page script - 50 pts
March 4, Keynote Anthropormorphized Animation - 200 pts
March 8 Terms of the Day #'s 9 - 18 - 50 pts
Cinema Arts 2nd Semester Assignments
These are the assignments so far. Most of the CA students have all blanks or very few points, which means you are either not doing your assignments, or not turning them in. I suggest you see me about this. Please review the work in your folder and see how much of this you have done.
NOTE: The SI doc preregistration form MUST be done and turned in by Friday, Jan 28 at the very latest!
Jan 5: What is Art? 50 pts
Jan 7: Doc Fest Intro: 50 pts
Jan 11: Nonprofit Research: 50 pts
Jan 18: Doc Prep: 20 pts
Jan 20: Interview Questions & Shots: 50 pts
Jan 24: Interview Letter: 30 pts
Jan 24: Doc Fest Preregistration Form: 20 pts
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Terms of the Day: Video Production 2nd Sem.
#1 Aspect Ratio (Jan 6)
The ratio of an image's width to it's height. The two common aspect ratios in video are 4:3 (standard) and 16:9 (widescreen). Standard is what is commonly used for TV, and widescreen is often used in film.
#2 White Balance (Jan 10)
To adjust the camera's light reading by pointing the lens at a white or gray card (angled to reflect the light in the room) so that it fills the camera's frame, then pressing the White Balance button. This will correct the color that it appears natural and true.
#3 "Back to One" (Jan 19)
What directors tell the cast and crew when a shot needs a retake. It means everyone goes to their starting places for that shot.
#4 Calling a Shot (Jan 21)
A director or assistant director usually calls the shots (each film or video take). The procedure usually goes like this.
A.D.; "Quiet on set!"
A.D. or Director; "Camera"
Camera operator;"Rolling!" or "Speed" (meaning filming has begun)
Clapper Loader/Slate (holding the slate so the camera can read it); "Twilight, Scene five, Take three."
Director; "Action!" (cue to the actors to begin their scene).
Director: "Cut!" (actors are to stop their action)
If the shot or scene needs another take, this is where you may hear "Back to one!"
#5 "Clear the Lens" (Jan 25)
What is called on a film set before a shot is filmed, meaning anyone not meant to be in the shot must move out of the camera's view, usually behind or far to the side of the camera.
#6 Voiceover (Jan 27)
A recorded narration that is put to video or film. A voiceover is done in postproduction, after editing, so that the narration flows well with the film. The narrator doing the voiceover might be describing what is happening on the screen, or might be the voice of a character's thoughts or reflections.
TECH TIP: To do a voiceover in iMovie; 1) click the voiceover icon/button in the center toolbar- it looks like a microphone 2) choose either "Record from Built-in Input" (this is the tiny mic at the very top of the computer) OR "Record from Built -in Input" if you are going to use an external microphone (see Ms Hawks about this). If you want to synch your narration to the action in your video without voicing over the existing dialogue, you may wish to click the "play project audio while recording" button. 3) Click the part of the clip you wish the voiceover to start, you will hear the countdown and see the project video turn red as the voiceover progresses. 4) You will have a voiceover track that you can cut, move or redo if you wish.
#7 Working Title (Jan 31)
A title used during the production phase of a film which may not be the title the film uses when it reaches the screen.
#8 Rough Cut and Final Cut (Feb 2)
Rough Cut: The stage of editing where all scenes/clips are assembled together into a project, but fine edits or cuts, sound, music and effects are not yet completed.
Final Cut: The final stage of an edited film where all components (sound, effects, titles, transitions, etc.) are done.
#9 Match Cut (Feb 4)
An editing cut that juxtaposes two shots that "match" each other visually or aurally (sound). Example; a close up shot of a screaming woman against a shot of a tea kettle whistling.
#10 Freeze Frame (Feb 8)
A shot in a film or vide where the image is frozen, so that it looks like a photograph and not a moving picture. It is often used for emphasis. TECH TIP: To create a freeze frame in iMovie, 1) place your cursor over the video frame in your project that you wish to make a freeze frame of, 2) hold down the Control button (keyboard, bottom left) 3) click the mouse - a selection window will pop up 4) choose "Add Freeze Frame" and a freeze frame will appear in your project just behind your selected clip.
#11 Montage (Feb 10)
A montage is a number of shots edited together, usually short, without dialogue and set to music. These quick shots are used to speed the passage of time in a narrative (as in an athelete training for a big event, or the progression of a love relationship).
EXAMPLE (written in standard screenplay format)
MONTAGE--Homer and Marge Fall in Love
#12 Superimpose (Feb 15)
To put an image or title over another video. Often the video on top of another video is transparent, so that both videos can be seen at the same time. If a title is superimposed, it is referred to as a "super," a term that is used in screenwriting.
Tech Tip: To superimpose a piece of video in iMovie: First, drag a selected clip and drop it over another clip in your project - a window will pop up - choose "Cutaway" Then, click in the Inspector of the clip you just dropped in, and choose "Clip Adjustment." From there, pull the Opacity bar down to about 50%, this will enable you to see both clips playing simultaneously, in a ghostlike effect.
#13 Production Value (Feb 17)
A movie with high production value has spent a lot of money on cameras, special effects, costumes, props, lighting, sets, crew, and probably talent (read; movie stars). It will have a slick, very Hollywood look to it. A movie with low production value looks like it was done on a very low budget; the sets, costumes and special effects are not so impressive or realistic. It is important to realize that a high production value does not necessarily mean the film will have a high entertainment value, i.e., be a movie you want to watch, nor does having a low production value mean the film will have a low entertainment value.
TECH TIP: To start a professional screenplay, first review How to Format a Screenplay at the scriptologist.com site. Here's the link to the professional screenplay for Raising Arizona by the Coen Brothers.
#15 Anthropomorphize (Feb 24)
To give human qualities to inanimate objects, animals, weather - anything not human. Many cartoon characters are anthropomorphic; Bugs Bunny is a rabbit that speaks and acts human, the Annoying Orange has human qualities.
#16 Good, Fast, Cheap Rule (March 28)
The Hollywood unwritten rule that you can make movies either:
A) Good and Fast, but not Cheap
B) Good and Cheap, but not Fast
C) Cheap and Fast, but not Good
In other words, good movies almost always require either Time or Money!
#17 Incidental Music (March 30)
Music that is written as background music for specific scenes or sequences. Incidental music pieces are not songs, but might have themes and are often related to the movie's genre - so that music written for horror or thriller genres are meant to be anxiety producing, romance movies often use soft piano pieces, etc.
#18 Foley (April 1)
Sound created specifically for movie scenes, involving "foley artists," special sound booths where they can view the film while recording, and various sound-making devices such as gravel boxes and fruit that is smashed with sticks (to simulate the crushing of skulls).
#19 Marketing & Distribution (April 4)
The final phases of movie making. Often even before the movie is completed, marketing campaigns are put in place to make the public aware of the movie (trailers, behind-the-scenes movies, billboards, ads). Distribution for film projects used to be to theaters and television only; now the distribution channels are much wider (theaters, TV, DVD, Internet devices; VOD sites, iPad, iPhone).
#20/21 Pitching and Greenlighting (April 11)
To pitch a film project means to present the idea for your film to a producer in order to get the okay to start the project. In Hollywood, when a studio or producer gives the okay, it's call greenlighting the project. Pitching is an art unto itself, and involves knowing your story or idea deeply, so you can field questions about it, thinking on your feet and presenting the idea in such a way that you get the producer excited about your project.
#22 Exposition/Backstory (April 13)
Exposition is the "exposing" of backstory about characters in a movie. It is used in literature as well as filmmaking. For instance, in Raising Arizona, before we begin the telling of the tale in the present time, "Hi" McDunnough (Nicolas Cage) tells in voiceover narration the story of how he met and married Edwina, and what drove them to become kidnappers. This backstory is important to the understanding and empathy for the characters.
FOR TOTD'S NUMBERS 23 AND UP, GO TO APRIL "TERMS OF THE DAY -PART TWO - LIGHTING"
The ratio of an image's width to it's height. The two common aspect ratios in video are 4:3 (standard) and 16:9 (widescreen). Standard is what is commonly used for TV, and widescreen is often used in film.
#2 White Balance (Jan 10)
To adjust the camera's light reading by pointing the lens at a white or gray card (angled to reflect the light in the room) so that it fills the camera's frame, then pressing the White Balance button. This will correct the color that it appears natural and true.
#3 "Back to One" (Jan 19)
What directors tell the cast and crew when a shot needs a retake. It means everyone goes to their starting places for that shot.
#4 Calling a Shot (Jan 21)
A director or assistant director usually calls the shots (each film or video take). The procedure usually goes like this.
A.D.; "Quiet on set!"
A.D. or Director; "Camera"
Camera operator;"Rolling!" or "Speed" (meaning filming has begun)
Clapper Loader/Slate (holding the slate so the camera can read it); "Twilight, Scene five, Take three."
Director; "Action!" (cue to the actors to begin their scene).
Director: "Cut!" (actors are to stop their action)
If the shot or scene needs another take, this is where you may hear "Back to one!"
#5 "Clear the Lens" (Jan 25)
What is called on a film set before a shot is filmed, meaning anyone not meant to be in the shot must move out of the camera's view, usually behind or far to the side of the camera.
#6 Voiceover (Jan 27)
A recorded narration that is put to video or film. A voiceover is done in postproduction, after editing, so that the narration flows well with the film. The narrator doing the voiceover might be describing what is happening on the screen, or might be the voice of a character's thoughts or reflections.
TECH TIP: To do a voiceover in iMovie; 1) click the voiceover icon/button in the center toolbar- it looks like a microphone 2) choose either "Record from Built-in Input" (this is the tiny mic at the very top of the computer) OR "Record from Built -in Input" if you are going to use an external microphone (see Ms Hawks about this). If you want to synch your narration to the action in your video without voicing over the existing dialogue, you may wish to click the "play project audio while recording" button. 3) Click the part of the clip you wish the voiceover to start, you will hear the countdown and see the project video turn red as the voiceover progresses. 4) You will have a voiceover track that you can cut, move or redo if you wish.
#7 Working Title (Jan 31)
A title used during the production phase of a film which may not be the title the film uses when it reaches the screen.
#8 Rough Cut and Final Cut (Feb 2)
Rough Cut: The stage of editing where all scenes/clips are assembled together into a project, but fine edits or cuts, sound, music and effects are not yet completed.
Final Cut: The final stage of an edited film where all components (sound, effects, titles, transitions, etc.) are done.
#9 Match Cut (Feb 4)
An editing cut that juxtaposes two shots that "match" each other visually or aurally (sound). Example; a close up shot of a screaming woman against a shot of a tea kettle whistling.
#10 Freeze Frame (Feb 8)
A shot in a film or vide where the image is frozen, so that it looks like a photograph and not a moving picture. It is often used for emphasis. TECH TIP: To create a freeze frame in iMovie, 1) place your cursor over the video frame in your project that you wish to make a freeze frame of, 2) hold down the Control button (keyboard, bottom left) 3) click the mouse - a selection window will pop up 4) choose "Add Freeze Frame" and a freeze frame will appear in your project just behind your selected clip.
#11 Montage (Feb 10)
A montage is a number of shots edited together, usually short, without dialogue and set to music. These quick shots are used to speed the passage of time in a narrative (as in an athelete training for a big event, or the progression of a love relationship).
EXAMPLE (written in standard screenplay format)
MONTAGE--Homer and Marge Fall in Love
--Homer as a young man, knocks on Marges door, she opens it. He gives Marge a box of chocolates - she opens the lid - they all have a bite taken out. Homer grins sheepishly.
--Homer and Marge at the Movies, holding hands. Homer puts his arm around her shoulder but is actually reaching back to steal popcorn from the kid sitting behind her.
--Homer buys a cheap ring from a vending machine and proposes.
--Marge walking down the aisle in her wedding dress - Homer is waiting for her, but shaking like a scared puppy.
END MONTAGE
#12 Superimpose (Feb 15)
To put an image or title over another video. Often the video on top of another video is transparent, so that both videos can be seen at the same time. If a title is superimposed, it is referred to as a "super," a term that is used in screenwriting.
Tech Tip: To superimpose a piece of video in iMovie: First, drag a selected clip and drop it over another clip in your project - a window will pop up - choose "Cutaway" Then, click in the Inspector of the clip you just dropped in, and choose "Clip Adjustment." From there, pull the Opacity bar down to about 50%, this will enable you to see both clips playing simultaneously, in a ghostlike effect.
#13 Production Value (Feb 17)
A movie with high production value has spent a lot of money on cameras, special effects, costumes, props, lighting, sets, crew, and probably talent (read; movie stars). It will have a slick, very Hollywood look to it. A movie with low production value looks like it was done on a very low budget; the sets, costumes and special effects are not so impressive or realistic. It is important to realize that a high production value does not necessarily mean the film will have a high entertainment value, i.e., be a movie you want to watch, nor does having a low production value mean the film will have a low entertainment value.
#14 Screenplay Format (Feb 22)
Hollywood screenplay format is very specific, and must be followed exactly if you wish to be viewed as a professional. Screenplays that do not follow the format will be refused by studios, agents, and professionals in the movie industry. The main elements of a professional screenplay are:
Title: Always on its own title page.
Scene Heading/Slugline: Shows location of scene and time of day, always capitalized, location first followed by time of day, e.g., INT. CLASSROOM - DAY
Action: Describes what is happening in the scene, and ALWAYS written in present tense, e.g., Teacher Ms. Hawks crosses the room and sees a student texting under a desk.
Character/Dialogue Heading: Capitalize characters when first introducing them in the action description, e.g., SARAH looks up at teacher, tries to sneak phone into her pocket.
Character names in dialogue headings are capitalized and centered.
Dialogue: center dialogue under character name, no spaces, not capitalized.
TECH TIP: To start a professional screenplay, first review How to Format a Screenplay at the scriptologist.com site. Here's the link to the professional screenplay for Raising Arizona by the Coen Brothers.
To open a screenplay template; 1) open your Pages software (icon looks like an ink bottle and pen). 2) Choose Miscellaneous from under Word Processing. Choose the Screenplay template from here. A professionally formatted screenplay will appear, written mostly in latin text. We will be going over how to use this template in class.
To give human qualities to inanimate objects, animals, weather - anything not human. Many cartoon characters are anthropomorphic; Bugs Bunny is a rabbit that speaks and acts human, the Annoying Orange has human qualities.
#16 Good, Fast, Cheap Rule (March 28)
The Hollywood unwritten rule that you can make movies either:
A) Good and Fast, but not Cheap
B) Good and Cheap, but not Fast
C) Cheap and Fast, but not Good
In other words, good movies almost always require either Time or Money!
#17 Incidental Music (March 30)
Music that is written as background music for specific scenes or sequences. Incidental music pieces are not songs, but might have themes and are often related to the movie's genre - so that music written for horror or thriller genres are meant to be anxiety producing, romance movies often use soft piano pieces, etc.
#18 Foley (April 1)
Sound created specifically for movie scenes, involving "foley artists," special sound booths where they can view the film while recording, and various sound-making devices such as gravel boxes and fruit that is smashed with sticks (to simulate the crushing of skulls).
#19 Marketing & Distribution (April 4)
The final phases of movie making. Often even before the movie is completed, marketing campaigns are put in place to make the public aware of the movie (trailers, behind-the-scenes movies, billboards, ads). Distribution for film projects used to be to theaters and television only; now the distribution channels are much wider (theaters, TV, DVD, Internet devices; VOD sites, iPad, iPhone).
#20/21 Pitching and Greenlighting (April 11)
To pitch a film project means to present the idea for your film to a producer in order to get the okay to start the project. In Hollywood, when a studio or producer gives the okay, it's call greenlighting the project. Pitching is an art unto itself, and involves knowing your story or idea deeply, so you can field questions about it, thinking on your feet and presenting the idea in such a way that you get the producer excited about your project.
#22 Exposition/Backstory (April 13)
Exposition is the "exposing" of backstory about characters in a movie. It is used in literature as well as filmmaking. For instance, in Raising Arizona, before we begin the telling of the tale in the present time, "Hi" McDunnough (Nicolas Cage) tells in voiceover narration the story of how he met and married Edwina, and what drove them to become kidnappers. This backstory is important to the understanding and empathy for the characters.
FOR TOTD'S NUMBERS 23 AND UP, GO TO APRIL "TERMS OF THE DAY -PART TWO - LIGHTING"
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Jan 18 - 21st, 2011 What We're Doing in Class
I'm sure all my students know that I was absent last Thursday & Friday because I was working at the Monterey and Seaside High Elective Fair. The Multimedia/Video Production/Cinema Arts booth at Seaside was well run by my wonderful students, and we had a lot of sign ups for next year. Muchas Gracias to all who helped out, and I hope you got a cupcake!
I created a short video presentation for the Elective Fair about Career Pathways, which we are focusing on for students. It can be accessed from off campus at... It was my first animation ever, made on Apple's Keynote program. The students applauded each showing, and that was unexpected. Now that I know it can be done, I plan on teaching how to do simple 2-D animation on Keynote, which already does nice animation with text.
This is a production week for Video Production, meaning that storyboards and plans should be done, and students are expected to be filming. The weather is slated to be sunny all week, with no rain, which is perfect for filming.
Cinema Arts students are working up ideas and plans in small teams for social issues documentaries, which I hope will be ready to submit to the Social Issues Documentary Film Festival, a film fest held in San Jose just for high school students. The registration deadline is February 1st, and 1-2 minutes of preview must be submitted with the application. The film fest will be April 30th, and this won't give us a lot of time, so we must stay focused.
I created a short video presentation for the Elective Fair about Career Pathways, which we are focusing on for students. It can be accessed from off campus at... It was my first animation ever, made on Apple's Keynote program. The students applauded each showing, and that was unexpected. Now that I know it can be done, I plan on teaching how to do simple 2-D animation on Keynote, which already does nice animation with text.
This is a production week for Video Production, meaning that storyboards and plans should be done, and students are expected to be filming. The weather is slated to be sunny all week, with no rain, which is perfect for filming.
Cinema Arts students are working up ideas and plans in small teams for social issues documentaries, which I hope will be ready to submit to the Social Issues Documentary Film Festival, a film fest held in San Jose just for high school students. The registration deadline is February 1st, and 1-2 minutes of preview must be submitted with the application. The film fest will be April 30th, and this won't give us a lot of time, so we must stay focused.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Cine Arts Jan. '11
CA LP January 24
Objective: Student teams will fill out preregistration form for Social Issues Doc Fest. Also, teams will write a brief letter describing their social documentary project for potential video interviewees and what they wish to interview them about. The letter will request an interview time for 7th period this week.
Instructions: Fill out Doc Fest form. Use Pages software for writing the interviewee letter. Ms Hawks will make copies of this letter for you to give to potential interviewees.
20 pts doc fest form filled out legibly and intelligently
30 points for well-written letter (use Pages letter template).
LP CA Jan 11, ’11 Tuesday 50 pts.
Objective: Student teams will fill out preregistration form for Social Issues Doc Fest. Also, teams will write a brief letter describing their social documentary project for potential video interviewees and what they wish to interview them about. The letter will request an interview time for 7th period this week.
Instructions: Fill out Doc Fest form. Use Pages software for writing the interviewee letter. Ms Hawks will make copies of this letter for you to give to potential interviewees.
20 pts doc fest form filled out legibly and intelligently
30 points for well-written letter (use Pages letter template).
CA LP Jan 20
Objective: Student teams will write ten questions related to their video topic to answer, and two possible people to interview on campus on Jan 24th.
These questions can be answered directly or through video content. Students will also list ten possible shots related to their subject. Students will then share their questions and shots and brainstorm with other groups for more ideas for interviews/shots.
Instructions:
1) Get into teams, write a team list of questions, interviewees, and shots (until 12: 05). At least one interviewee must be a SHS staff member.
2) Move into class discussion group. Elect one member to share questions, shots, possible interviewees.
(discussion until 12: 25).
3) Write a brief letter to your potential interviewee describing your social documentary project and what you wish to interview them about. Ask if you could interview them January 24th during 6th, 7th, or 8th period. Use Pages software for this; Ms Hawks will print the letter for you.
CA LP Jan 18
Objective: Students will form groups of 2-3 and decided upon a suitable subject for a social issue documentary. We will discuss these in class.
LP CA Jan 11, ’11 Tuesday 50 pts.
Lesson Plan: Non-profit and Issue Research & Discussion
Objective: Students will research local non-profit agencies in the Monterey Bay Area to prepare for Social Issues Documentary Project. Students will share their research findings in group discussion.
Instructions: Using your list of social issues, Google the issue and Monterey Bay, or a local area (e.g., Gang Violence + Salinas) and locate local agencies that deal with the issues you have listed. Try to locate about 3 to 5 agencies.
You have about 50 minutes to do this.
Bring your research with you to the class discussion, and share your findings. Your goal is to evaluate what topics would be the ones you feel would make the strongest documentary.
Friday, January 7, 2011
CA Jan 7: Social Issues Doc Fest
Cinema Arts, Friday Jan 7, Lesson Plan - Social Issues Documentary Introduction 50 possible points
About the Social Documentary Festival: A film festival open to high school students in the San Francisco Bay Area that focuses on social issues documentaries. $25,000 in prize money is given to winning short films.
Objective; Students will prepare to make a social issues documentary to submit to the SI Docs film festival by viewing winning entries from last year, researching the film festival requirements, examining and researching social issues in their area.
Instructions;
1) Watch the SI Docfest films; www.sidocfest.com Click the 2010 Winners tab and choose 3 to watch. Write down the title of each one you watch with a brief synopsis. Describe what was intriguing or well-done about each. (15 pts)
2) Go to www.sidocfest.com and read through to find out about the festival and requirements.
(write down the pertinent dates and requirements. How long must the film be? What can be included or not? How many people can make the film, and who must they be? What needs to be submitted and by what date?) (10 pts)
3) Brainstorm social issues that are relevant to them and the community. (10 pts)
(write down at least five social issues).
4) Research local nonprofits to find an agency that is of interest to them.
(write a paragraph that describes who they are, where they are, and what they do). (10 pts)
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Jan 6/7 VP - Storyboards
LP VP Jan 6/7
Objective: Students will meet with production team, decide upon Trailer Project synopsis/story, and draw 5 storyboard panels (10 pts each for 50 pts) for the team storyboard. Crew members must make sure that all 10 required camera angles are included in the project storyboard.
Remember, storyboard panels can only be given full credit if they have camera angles and descriptions.
To view some professional storyboards, go to www.storyboardsinc.com
Synopses and storyboards are due Friday, January 7. We want to begin production for the Camera Angle Movie Trailer on January 8
Cin Arts: Jan 5 - What is Art?
LP Cinema Arts: Jan 5 - What Is Art? 50 possible pts.
Objective: Students will examine and answer the following questions in their own written words. Students will then share their answers in a class discussion.
1) What is art?
2) What is the purpose, or purposes of art?
3) Why is art important?
4) It has been said that some artists become artists because they want to make art, and some become artists because they want to be artists - what do you think is the difference, if any?
5) Artists work in many different mediums*: Name eight.
6) What do you think is the difference between a designer and an artist?
7) What qualities do you think artists need to be successful?
8) Do you think artists can change the world? How?
Instructions; Write the objective, choose 5 questions to answer, and respond in your own words (be sure to write the question also).
Take 30 minutes to do this. At 11:15, bring your chairs and answers into the viewing room for a discussion. Each thoughtful written answer is worth 5 points (25 pts). 5 pts for each question shared with the group. (25 possible).
Monday, January 3, 2011
Jan 4/5th Trailer - Synopsis - Storyboard
Objective: Students will view several theatrical trailers and
storyboards and engage in group discussion about their elements. Each
student will write a synopsis for a movie they would like to make a
trailer for and each student will contribute 5 storyboard panels for
their group’s movie trailer.
Objective: 5 pts
Synopsis: 20 pts
Storyboard panels: 10 pts each (total of 50 pts) if either well drawn or
well described.
Movie Trailer: Team project - 240 possible points
Must include one each of the following camera angles or movements, each worth 20 pts:
High angle, low angle, worm's eye view, bird's eye view, zoom, dolly, truck or track, let in and/or let out, let in and follow, canted/dutch angle. Also must include production & "the following preview.." screen (20 pts), intertitle & "coming soon" screen (20 pts).
Movie Synopsis - 20 pts
A synopsis is a brief description of what a movie is about. A movie with a solid, good story is easy to write a synopsis for.
Begin with a noun/pronoun (person, thing), add a verb (an action; something happens, somebody does something) that results in another verb (something else happens because of verb #1).
Example: "Feed the Kitty" Warner Brothers Cartoon, 1952
A vicious bulldog (bulldog = noun) falls in love with a kitten (“falls in love” = verb #1) takes it home and tries to hide the kitten from his owner (“tries to hide” = verb #2)
Storyboard panels - 50 pts
Storyboard panels are more than just drawings, they also use
descriptions and show or name camera angles or movements to convey the
information about the shot for the cast and crew. They also sometimes
include dialogue written in quotation marks. Your storyboard panels will
not be considered complete without a written description and camera
angles written under or alongside them.
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