Movie Makers

Head Mentor Handbook 2014-15

Every Child Has a Story Worth Telling

OURMISSIONTheYoungStorytellersFoundationdevelopsliteracythroughtheartofstorytelling.

Usinggroupexercisesandoneononementoring,weprovideunderservedchildreninthepublicschoolsystemanopportunitytowritestoriesandseethembroughttolife

throughperformance.

Ourmissionistoinspirechildrentodiscoverthepoweroftheirownvoice.

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TheYSFGuidingPrinciples Everychildhasastoryworthtelling.

Theirstorywillbebrilliant,iftheyworkhardforit.Wearenotteachers,butwedohavethingstoteach.TheYoungStorytellersroomisasafe,creativespace.

Beamentor,notawriter.AndmostimportantlyItsallgoingtobefine.

ProgramOverview

Overtwosemesters,theMovieMakerswillmakeashortfilminpairsusingthe321exercise(3pages,2actors,1location).MMwillguidestudentsthroughtheproductionoftheirfilmbyusinggroupactivities,highschoolmentors,andhandsonexperience.Professionalactorswillperforminthefilms,whilethestudentsactasdirectorsandcinematographers.The22weekprogramwillculminateinbothascreening,aswellasthecreationofatrailerforthefilmthatthestudentswillpitchtoindustryproducers.

WhatMakesaGreatHeadMentor? SomeonewhoCOMMUNICATESwellwiththeschool,thewriters,thementors,

andTheProgramDirector.ThismeansrespondingtoallemailsfromYSFinatimelymannerplussendingweeklyemails(ortexts)tomentorsandliaisons.LastlyfillingoutyourHeadMentorReportsonlineaftereachsession.

SomeonewhoEXECUTESthecurriculumwithenergyandinnovationadaptinglessonsaccordinglywhileUNDERSTANDINGtheoverarchingphilosophiesoftheprogram.

SomeonewhoisorganizedinturningintheirPAPERWORKinatimelymanner. SomeonewhocanSELFTEACHnewtechnicalskillsiftheydontknowhowto

useanapporprogram. SomeonewhocanrunaBIGSCREENINGlikeanMC. SomeonewhoRECRUITSandRETAINSmentorsandactors. SomeonewhoSETSUPtheirclassroomforSUCCESSeveryweek. SomeonewhoknowshowtoENGAGEtheirwritersandmentorsequallyineach

session. SomeonewhocanshowuptoTRAININGS. SomeonewhoisFLEXIBLE.Andwearenottalkingaboutyoga. SomeonewhocancanPLAYaswellastheycanteach. SomeonewhoknowshowtoCONNECTtopeopleinameaningfulway.

SomeonewhoknowshowtoMANAGEtheirgroupinapositiveway.

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TheBreakdown Wevebrokeneachsessiondownintofivebasicareas,whichwerecallingPlay,Teach,Create,Share,andReflect.EverydayalsohasGoalsandOverview.Asyougothroughasession,rememberthatMovieMakersisanartseducationprogramwithanemphasisonstudentconfidenceandcommunication.Keepingthisendgoalinmindwillhelpensurenotonlythateachstudentcompletesafilm,butdoessowithanunderstandingofhowtocommunicatetheirpersonalideastobothpeersandsuperiors.

Eachweekconsistsofthefollowingcomponents:

GOALS

Theintentionsbehindthetasks. Overview

Asummaryofthemaintasksoftheday.

SUPPLIES:thestuffyouneedtobring

Play:thewarmuporinstructionalgames. Teach:Anoutlineofwhatyouwillbeteaching.Create:thetaskthestudentsaretocompletebytheendoftheday,withthehelpoftheirHSMentors.Share:timesetasideforstudentstoreadorplaytheirworkinfrontoftherestofthegroup.Sharetimeshouldalwaysbecelebrated! Reflect:5minutesattheendofeachsessiontocheckinwithyourwritersthenoncethewritershaveleft,spend5minuteswithyourmentorscheckinginontheirgroupandanyquestionstheymayhave.

WeekbyweekMapFILM 101

WEEK1Commitments,introductionsWEEK2FilmSpeakWEEK3CreatingVisualEmotionWEEK4VisualVocabularyWRITING

WEEK5WritingWhatsyourstory?AndLoglines.WEEK6WritingScreenplayformat.Outlines.WEEK7WritingWritethosescreenplays!

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WEEK8WritingDetailsandFeedbackWEEK9DirectingVisionBoardWEEK10TableRead/VisionPitchPRE-PRO

WEEK11Preproductionphase1LocationScoutWEEK12PreProductionphase2ShotListsWEEK13Preproductionphase4StoryboardsPRODUCTION

WEEK1417ProductionPOST

WEEK18EditingInitialMeetingWEEK19EditingRoughCutnotesWEEK20TrailersCreateTrailerandPitchWEEK21TheBigPitch!WEEK22TheBigScreening!

BEFORE YOUR FIRST SESSION:

Meetwithyourcoheadmentoranddeviseaplanfordivisionofduties. SendaremindertoyourHighSchoolMentorsthedaybeforethesession. Introduceyourselftoyourschoolliaisongreattodothisinperson!

EVERY SESSION:

Checkinwithyourliaisonasmuchaspossible,thiswillmakeeverythinggomoresmoothly.

Checkinwiththeschooluponarrivingforchangesinnextweeksscheduleseeabouthalfdays,parentconferences,etc.wemaynotknowabout.

Remembertobeasflexibleandunderstandingaspossiblewithyourschoolliaisons.Everyoneinmostpublicschoolsystemsareoverworkedandunderpaid.

Havefun.

Curriculum 2015

FILM101 An overview of the tools and skills needed to make a film including Film

Speak (industry terms), Visual Vocabulary, and genres and styles.

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Week1Commitments,Introductions

GOALS

- Break the ice!

- Create a safe creative space where

students can confidently share

ideas in front of peers.

- Inspire students to complete film

by beginning the year with small

tangible projects.

Overview

- Introductions

- Agreements

- Genres overview

- Film a genre scene in one shot

SUPPLIES:1Posterboard,markers,6iPads,paperstowritegenresdown,somethingtotossfortheNameGame

PLAY(10min)

NameGameSlapPass

TEACH

(10minutes)Overview.Firstgiveaquickoverviewoftheyearhighlightingthescreening.Ifyoucan,playthefilmsfromlastyear.Then...Introducethementors!Havethemsayasmuchaboutthemselvesaspossiblein10secondstomakeitfun.

(15minutes)

Make group commitments. Writetheseonaposterboardandhaveeveryonesignthebottom.Herearethethreethingsyouragreementsmustaddress:

Whatdoweneedfromeveryonetocreateasafe,fun,andcreativespace? Whathappensifwearelateorcantfollowtheagreements(chickendance) Whatwecanandcannotwriteabout.Especially:

NOVIOLENCE=Choosecreative,nonviolentsolutionstoproblems. NOSTORIESWEHAVESEENORREADBEFORE(videogamestoo) NONAMESOFPEOPLEWEKNOW

(15min)

Introduce genres!

Doesanyoneknowwhatagenreis?Yes,itsastyleortypeofmovie(orbook,play,etc.).Whataresomegenres?YellthemoutandIllwritethemdownontheboard.Writedownasmanyastheycanthink.

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Pickacouplegenresandaskforavolunteertoexplainwhatmakesamoviethatspecificgenre.Forinstance,amusicalhasmusicandoftendancing!McDonalds Game using genres.Gettwovolunteerstoplaythecashierandcustomer.Havethemstartimprovisingasceneinthestyleofoneofthegenres.Aftertheygoforacouplelines,yellPAUSE(keepthisshortsoitdoesntgettotheuncomfortablepausedphaseofimprov).Thenhaveavolunteerfromtheaudiencejointhescene.Thisvolunteerwillpickanewgenreandstartthesceneagain.Youcankeepaddingpeopleandchangingthegenreuntilitgetschaotic.

CREATE(20min)

Make Genre Commitment Films Splitintogroupsof2. Drawagenrefromahat. Eachpairwillpickoneofthegroupcommitments,andfilmthatgroupcommitmentin

thestyleoftheirgenre.Thisshouldbeveryfreeandfun!Itshouldonlybeoneshotsoitdoesntrequireediting.Example:ifoneofthegenresisAction/Adventure,andthestudentsdrawthecommitmenttobeontimetheycouldfilmagroupofstudentsrunning,jumpingoverobstacles,andfinallyenteringclassontime,allsettodramaticchasescenemusic.Becreative!

SHARE(10min)

Watcheachgroupscommitmentpiece.Turnthevolumeup.Celebratethesuccesswithapplauseaftereachone!!

REFLECT(5min)

Whatisyourfavoritemovie?Andwhatgenreareyoumostexcitedaboutwriting?*Takenoteofwhatstudentssay.Thiswillhelpyoupairstudentsbasedontheirinterests.

WEEK2FilmSpeak

GOALS- Developstudentsabilitytocodeswitch

byintroducinganewvocabularyandmannerofcommunicatingforthisclassaswellasprofessionalfilmsets.

Overview

Practice team skills. Introduce

on-set behavior. Film interviews.

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SUPPLIES:6iPads

PLAY(20minutestotal)

Name Game

Pair up groups Afunwaytodothisistostandinacircleandhaveeveryonedoadrumrolluntilyouannounceeachpartnersname.Thepartnersmeetinthemiddleofacircleforahighfiveandthenstandtogether.Obstacle Gameintheirpairs

TEACH(15min)

IntroducetheQuite on the Set rule.Brieflyintroducedocumentary styleinterviewsandtheiPads.Thekeypointstohighlightarebelow.Youmayalsowanttodoanexampleinfrontofclasswithtwovolunteers.

1.Youcanbecreativewithwhatweseeintheshot.i.e.Ifsomeoneisalibrarian,havebooksintheshotbehindthem.Iftheyareanathlete,youcouldhavetheshotmovingtheentiretime.2.Askthepersonyouareinterviewingtospeakincompletesentences.3.Askthepersonyouareinterviewingtospeakloudly.Dontbeafraidtoaskthemtorepeatsomething.Also,findaquietplacetofilm.4.ALWAYSSHOOTINTVMODE(landscape,notportraitoriPhonemode)5.Leadtime:Beginrollingbeforeyouasksomeonetospeak.

CREATE(20min)

Documentary Interviews! EachgroupwilluseaniPadtofilmaninterviewofeachpersonintheirgroup(includingmentors).Theimportantquestionstocoverarebelow,butgroupsshouldmakeupsomeoftheirownaswell.

1.Whatisyourname?2.Whatisyourage/grade?3.Whatisyourfavoritethingaboutyourself?4.Whydoyoulikewritingormakingmovies?

SHARE

Watcheachinterviewasaclass.Ifforsomereasonyoudonthavetime,pairgroupsuptosharetheirfootagewitheachother.Makesuretocelebrateeachsuccess!SHAREtimeisanopportunitytoassesswhatthestudentsaredoingwell.Dothisverballyandinfrontoftheclass.ItcanbeassimpleasWecouldhearthatinterviewsowell.Goodjobfindingaquietspotandgettingyoursubjecttospeakup!Iftherearemajorproblemareaswitheachpiece,talkaboutitasagroup.Seeifthestudents

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cancomeupwithawaytobemoresuccessfulnexttime(soundisalmostalwaystheissue).

REFLECTTell us one thing you learned about your partner today.

WEEK3CreatingVisualEmotionGoals

Developstudentsabilitytoconveyanemotionthroughavisualproduct.Inspirestudentstocompletetheirlargerfilmbybeginningtheyearwithsmall,tangibleprojects.

OverviewDiscussemotionconveyedbydifferentphotos.Practiceconveyinganemotionbytakingphotosinsmallgroups.

SUPPLIES:StillPhotos,tape,6iPads,papersfordrawingoutofhat

PLAY(10min)

BoomChicaBoomHoney,Iloveyou

TEACH(15min)

Putafewstillphotographsupontheboard.Askeveryonewhateachphotographmakesthemfeel.Writetheemotionsbeloweachphotograph.

Thenaskwhywhatisitaboutthephotothatevokesthoseemotions?Itcouldbecolor,tone,framing,theactualsubjectofthephoto,etc.Getthestudentstolistasmanydetailsaspossible.Thepurposeistogetthemthinkingaboutwhatisintheframewhentheyre

shooting,andhowtheycanuseeverythingtovisuallytelltheirstory.Thepointistogetthemthinkingbeyondactorblocking.IfallresponsesareTheactorissmilingorThe

actorhastheirheaddowntrytogetthemtothinkabouttheclosenessoftheshot,thecolorsintheframe,etc.

Nowasaclass,doanexample.Usetheemotionhappy.Thencreateaphotorightthereintheroomthatwillmaketheviewerfeelhappynotthesubjectofthephoto.Beasdetailedaspossible.Takeseveraloptionsandthenchoosetheonethatconveystheemotionstrongest.Thephotocouldbeagroupofkidslaughing.Itcouldbeacloseupofsomeonessmile.It

couldalsobeanobjectthatmakespeoplehappy,likecandyorafavoritepurse.

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CREATE(30min)

Writeemotionsonpiecesofpaperandhaveeachgroupdrawoneoutofahat.Theirtaskistotake3photosthatmaketheviewerfeelthatemotion.The3photosare:1.Aphotoofpeopleorapersonthatthestudentsdirectorpose.2.Aphotoofapersonorgroupofpeoplethatarentawareyouretakingthephoto.Acandid.3.Aphotoofanobject.Encouragethemtotakeseveraloptionsandthenpicktheirfavorite.Wedontalwaysgettheperfectphotothefirsttime.Thecandidphotoisanopportunitytoplaywithframing.Ifyoucanttellthesubjectsofthephototoportrayacertainemotion,howcanyouusethecameratoportraythatemotion?

SHARE(10min)

Haveeachgroupsharetheirphotos.Makesureeachstudentspeaks.Ifyouhavethetime,makethisintoagamebyhavingthemshowthephotosandhavingtherestofthestudentsguesswhatemotioneachwasintendedtoconvey.

REFLECT(5min)

Ifyoucouldmakeanaudiencefeelanything,whatwouldyouwantthemtofeel?

WEEK4VisualVocabularyGoals

Introducestudentstothevarioustypesofshotsusedinfilm.Developthestudentsframingandcameramovementvocabulary.

OverviewIntroducevariousshots.Filmscenesbasedonthevariedshottemplate.

SUPPLIES:6iPads,paperswithsentences,ShotFramingcards

PLAY(10min)

WalkAroundtheRoomusingemotionsandeventsTip:oneHMshouldbesettinguptheboardforKinestheticMatchingwhiletheotherleads

WalkAroundtheRoom

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TEACH(25min)

PlayKinestheticMatching Tapephotosofeachshotupontheboardorawall. Handouttheshotnamestostudents. Eachstudentwilltakeaturntapingtheirshotnameunderthephototheythink

matchesbest.Askthemtosaywhytheythinktheirshotnamematches.Forinstance,thisisapictureofatinyladybugupclosesoitsacloseupshot.

Thinkofthisasanunblindfoldedpinthetailonthedonkey. Onceeveryoneagreesthatthedefinitionsmatchtheshots,leavethemupfor

reference. Takeafewminutestotalkaboutsomereasonswhywouldyouuseeachshot.

Pleasemakeitveryclearthatthesearenotsteadfastrules!Filmmakingisanartform.Butknowingwhyotherdirectorsusewideshotsorcloseupsmaygivethemajumpingoffpoint.

CREATE(40min)

Wewillbesplittingofftomakeaquickvideo.Herearetheparameters:1.Itcanbenomorethanaminute,anditcanbeasshortasyouwouldlike.2.Workquickly.Dontfeellikeyouhavetomakeamasterpiece.3.Eachprojectmustincludethefollowingshots:

A. WideShotB. CloseUpC. 2ShotD. And1shotofyourchoice!

4.Youwilldrawapaperfromahatthatwilltellyouwhattoshoot.(HeadMentors:thesepaperswillbeonesentenceinvolvinganemotion.Ivelistedseveralexamplesbelow,butfeelfreetomakeupyourown.Themostimportantthingisthattheybesimple,andconveyanemotion.)Samplesentencestofilm:Jessishavingaterribleday.Dustindecidedtoenjoythebeautifulweather.Liliaisdistracted.Karlaisnervousaboutherfirstdayatanewschool.SleepisOscarsfavoriteactivity.Daniaisafraidofvendingmachines.

SHARE(10min)

Ifthereistime,haveeveryonesharetheirprojectswiththewholeclass.Ifnot,havegroupspairupandsharewitheachother.

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REFLECT(5min)

Whatwasyourfavoriteshottoshoot?

WRITING Over5weeksthestudentswillwritetheirscriptsbeginningwithalogline,thenan

outline,thencreatingthe3pagescreenplay.

WEEK5Whatsyourstory?AndLoglines.Goals

Refreshloglines,andbeginworkingoncollaborativeskills.

OverviewRefreshstorytellingelements.DoLoglineMadLibs.CreateLoglinesforeachscriptusingDivideaStory.

SUPPLIES:LineUpCards,mentornotebooksandpens

PLAY(5min)

TheWindComesandTakesAway

TEACH(30min)

ReviewBasicStorytellingElements:beginning,middle,end,setting,characters(antagonistandprotagonist),goal,obstacle,climax,lesson,andresolutionbyplayingTHELINEUP.

Haveallthementorsstandinalineoutoforderwiththeirelementcardinhand.Havewritersphysicallyputtheminorder.Iftherearenotenoughmentors,havesomementorsholdtwomismatchedelements.Thiswillforcethemtonotonlyphysicallymoveplaces,butalsotrade

cardswithanothermentor.Writeortapetheelementsontheboard.Tip Beginning. Middle and end are umbrella terms and elements like setting, character and goal make up the beginning of a story. You can have the mentors hold up the beginning above the elements in it so thats clear during the lineup.

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Next:Doesanybodyrememberwhataloglineis?(Aonesentencesummaryofyourstory).Welltoday,youregoingtowritetheloglineforyourmovies!Letsdoanexampleusingmylife.FilloutMadLibLoglinesusingfactsfromyourownlife.Allowthekidstohelpyoumakeuptheendingtoyourstory(resolutionandlesson). Ifthereistime,doasampleofakidslife(someonewhovolunteers).

Ontheboardwrite:

In(a)__________________,_____________________wants______________(setting)(protagonist)(goal)

but___________________________________________standsintheirway,(obstacle/antagonist)

sothey________________________________________________________(resolution)

learningthat___________________________________________________.(lesson)

CREATE(35min)

Haveyoutalkedwithyourpartnersaboutanyideasyet?BESURETOREMINDEVERYONETHATTHESCRIPTSWILLBE3PAGES,2

ACTORS,1LOCATION!Justtomakeyousearchalittledeeperbecausewebelievethebeststoriescomefrom

YOU,letstrythisexercise:

DivideastoryLoglines Breakapageupinto6squares.Guidethestudentsthrougheachsection(oneatatimeratherthanwritingallthesectionsdownatonce)givingthemlimitedtimetocomeupwithideas.Thementorscanwriteonthepaperwhilethestudentseachgiveideas.In

eachsquarewrite...TopLeft3settingsTopRight3maincharactersMiddleLeft3goals MiddleRight3conflictsBottomLeft3resolutionsBottomRight3lessons

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Now,lookingatthoseideasyoubrainstormed,plugoneofeachintoyourmadlibasapair.Youarewritingtheloglinefortheactualmovieyouwillfilm,sotakethetimetotalkaboutyouroptions.Makesureyoubothlikeatleastoneortwopartsofyourlogline.Aspartners,youdonthavetobothloveeverypart,butyoushouldloveatleastoneortwoparts.Guesswhatyouvejustdone?Youvewrittenyourloglineforyourfilm!

REFLECT(5min)

Ifyouwereasuperhero,whatwouldyourgoalbe?

WEEK6Screenplayformat.Outlines.Goals

Getthestudentswritingscreenplaysagain,andworkoncollaborativeskills.

OverviewRefreshscreenplayformat.Createoutlinesforeachscriptusingtheoutlinetemplate.

SUPPLIES:Screenplaypage,notebooksandpens,6iPads(incase)

PLAYGibberishInterpreter(10minmax)

SpaceObjects(10minmax)

TEACH(15min)

Refreshscreenplayformat.Handoutasamplescreenplaypage(withmultiplescenes),orputituponaprojector.Askstudentstoidentifythedifferentelementsandtoexplainwhattheyareusedfor:slugline,action,dialogue,parentheticals.Leaveoneelementmissingfromasceneandseeiftheycanidentifyit(forinstance,leaveoutonesluglineeventhoughtheactionsaystheyareinanewplace.Orleaveallparentheticalsoutandaskthewriterstoidentifywhatismissing.)

CREATE(25min)

Splitintogroupsandfilloutastoryoutlineusingyourloglineasaguide.REMINDER:3PAGES,2ACTORS,1LOCATION

BEGINNING: Opening Setting:

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Protagonist: Goal: (Why do they want their goal?) Big thing that happens right away:

MIDDLE: Antagonist: Conflict: (Why is the antagonist against them?) Attempt #1 to overcome obstacle: Attempt #2 to overcome obstacle: (optional)

END: Final Attempt #2 or #3 (do they succeed or fail?): Resolution: Lesson: If anyone finishes their outline with time to spare, they can begin writing their scripts.

SHARE/REFLECT Did anyone have to come up with a creative way to overcome an obstacle without violence?

What was it?

WEEK7Writethosescreenplays!Goals

Getthestudentswritingscreenplaysagain,andworkoncollaborativeskills.

OverviewTalkaboutcollaborativeskills.Writeonepageofthescreenplay.

SUPPLIES:6iPads

PLAY(10min)

IamaTree

CREATE(1hour)

Beforewriting,takeaminutetoexplainaroughdraft.Talkabouthowscriptschangeevenonsetinthemoviebusiness.Thisfirstdraftisaboutgettingtheoutlineofyourstorydown.Youcanalwayschangeandaddthingsinthecomingweeks.Fornow,dontthinktoohard.Justwritedownideasthatcometoyou!

Also:brieflytalkaboutpartnering.Whatcanyoudoifyouarentagreeing?IntroducePopcornWriting:youwritealine,Iwritealine.

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Writethosescreenplays!Onepageofthescreenplaysshouldbecompletedbytheendofthesession.Keepfloatingaroundtheroomandassessingtheprogressofeachgroup.Someofthehighschoolmentorsmayneedyourhelpfacilitatingtheconversationtogetideasdownonpaper.

SHARE/REFLECT

Whatisyourfavoritepartofyourscriptsofar?

WEEK8DetailsandFeedback.Goals

Incorporatespecificdetailsintothescripts,andpracticecompletingaprojectonadeadline.

OverviewTalkaboutdetailandcollaborativewriting.Finishwritingthescripts.

SUPPLIES:6iPads

PLAY(10min)

3ChangesMcDonaldsDetailScene

TEACH

(5minutes)Askthestudents,whydoweneedtobedetailedinourscripts?YoucanusethePeanut

ButterandJellySandwichlesson,orsomethingsimilarifyouwouldlike.

CREATE(40min)

Doeseveryonerememberthetacticwetalkedaboutlastweekincaseyouarenteasilyagreeingonideas?(PopcornWriting!)

Finishwritingthatscreenplay!Onlytwopagesleft. 15minutesintothiswritingsession,checkinwithgroups.Ifanyarenearing

completion,encouragethemtogoovertheirscriptreadingitaloudasagroup.Seeifthereisanydetailtheycanadd,oranydialoguetheywanttochange.

SHARE(20min)

*THISISABONUSACTIVITYFORANYGROUPSWHOFINISHTHEIRDRAFTEARLY.*Havegroupspairup.Eachgroupwillreadtheirscripttotheothergrouptheyarepairedwithandviseversa.Thegroupthatlistenswillanswerthesetwoquestions(writetheseonthe

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boardsoeveryonecanseethem):1.Whatdidyoulikeaboutthescript?2.Wereyouconfusedaboutanything?Onceeachgrouphasreadtheirscript,andgivenfeedback,thenhavethementorsaskthewritersifthereisanythingtheywanttochangeintheirscriptbasedonthefeedback.Makelastminutechangestothescripts.Thisisthefinisheddraft!!

REFLECT(10min)

Youjustwroteascreenplay!!Whydoyouwanttomakethismovie?

WEEK9DirectingVisionBoardsGoals

Beginthecollaborativedirectingprocessandgivestudentstangiblewaystosharetheirideas.

OverviewIntroducethejobofthedirector.Makesamplevisionboard.Makeavisionboardforeachscript.

SUPPLIES:cardstock,gluesticks,scissors,magazines,music!

PLAY(10min)

ObstacleGame

TEACH(20min)

Askthesequestionsandaddtowhatthestudentssay.Thisshouldbeabriefdiscussion.Whatisthejobofadirector?Whatareelementsofamoviethatweseeonscreen?

Explain:thesearethingsthedirectorsvisionwillinfluence.(Writethemontheboardastheyarecalledout:costumes,actors,colors,lighting,locations,feelingortone,etc.)

Todayweregoingtomakevisionboardsforourfilmstohelpshowvisuallywhatyouaswritersanddirectorswant!First,letsmakeasampleboardtogetherfortheHarryPottermovie.Whataresomeelementsofthemoviethatwouldhavebeenonthevisionboard?(maybehavesomementorswholiketodrawdothedrawingonthewhiteboard.Createa

samplevisionboardasquicklyasyoucantogivethemanidea.

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Likelythestudentswillcalloutphysicalthings.GetthemthinkingabouttonebyaskingHowdidthedirectorwantpeopletofeelduringthemovie?Andwritetheemotion,ordrawa

picturethatconveysthatemotion.

Now,youregoingtomakeyourownboards.Itcanbeacollageoryoucanmakealistofphotosdescribingwhyeachonewasincluded.Itstotallyuptoyou.Becreative!Workquickly!

Andputyourmentorstowork!Theycanhelpcutthingsout.

CREATE(40min)

*TIP:Itsfuntoplaymusicfortheclassduringthisactivity.Usingmagazines,scissors,andgluesticks,thedirectorswillworkwiththeirpartnerstocreate

avisionboard.

Iliketowritetheseguidelinesontheboardforthemtoreference:1. Beascreativeaspossible!2. Thereisnowrongwaytoshowyourvision.3. Worktogetherandquickly.

SHARE(15min)

Eachgroupwillpresenttheirvisionboardtotheclass.Makesuretheysharethetalkingtime.Forshystudents,itshelpfultoaskthemspecificallytosayonethingtheycontributedtotheboardandwhy.

REFLECT(5min)

Ifyoumadeavisionboardforyourlife,whatisonethingyouwouldincludeonthere?

WEEK10TableReadGoals

Hearthescreenplaysreadaloudbyactorsandcelebratetheaccomplishmentsofthesemester.

CompletableTasksPlaygameswithactors.Introducethetableread.Dothetableread!Reflectonthesemester.

SUPPLIES:6volunteeractors,3copiesofeachscriptprinted.

PLAY(15min)

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IntroduceGuestActors!!Theywillplaythegameswiththegrouptobreaktheice.GoonieGoonie

HoneyILoveYou(oranothergamethatispopularwithyourgroup)

TEACH(10min)

Asktheclass:whatisatableread?Whyisitbeneficialtohearyourscriptreadoutloud?Yes!Ithelpsyouhearifanythingdoesntsoundquiteright.Hearinganactorperformthe

scriptcangiveyouideasforyourshoot.Etc.

Weregoingtosplittheclassintogroupsandeachgroupwillhavethreeactors(onetoreadstagedirections).You(students)willstartbygivingthemyourscriptsandtellingthemwhichpartstheywillbeplaying.Theneveryonewillsitandlistenwhiletheactorsreadthescripts.

Whathappensaftereachscriptisread?(Applause)

SHARE(35min)

Splitoff.Eachgroupwillreadthrough3scripts.Ideallyyouwillsplitintotworoomssoyourenottryingtohearyourgroup.Oneheadmentor

shouldgowitheachgroup.

CREATE(15min)

Oncethescriptshavebeenread,havethementorsandwriterstalkintheirgroupbriefly.Dotheywanttochangeoraddanythingnowthattheyvehearditoutloud?

REFLECT(15min)

Actors:whatissomethingthatstoodouttoyoufromascriptyoureadtoday?Writers/Directors:Whatwillyoutakeawayfromthissemester?Areyoulookingforwardtoanythingnextsemester?Mentors:Thisisyourlastweek(unlessyourereturningintheSpring).Whatwillyoubetakingawaywithyou?

Havethestudentsthanktheirmentors,andtakeagroupphototogether.*PostthistoourFacebookorTwitter!

***SemesterBreak***

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PreProduction Preproductiontrainingwillincludehowtomakeashotlist,howtostoryboard,andthe

planningofalldesignelements(costumes,productiondesign,etc.).

WEEK11Preproductionphase1:LocationScoutGoal

Torefreshthestudentsontheirstoryandbeginworkingwithinlimitations.

CompletableTasksIntroducenewmentors.Readthescripts.Chooselocationsforfilming.

SUPPLIES:3copiesofeachscriptprinted,6iPads.

PLAY(10min)

Checkintobegin:Howwasyourwinterbreak?Anyhighlights?NameGametomeetthenewmentors!

Haveeachnewmentorsaysomethingaboutthemselvesbriefly.Crazy8s

TEACH(10min)

Thegoalofthissegmentistogetthestudentstothinkabouttheirlocationscreatively.Howcanyoufilminaclassroomoronaschoolcampus,andmanipulateittolooklikesomewhereelse?Ifinditsbesttoviewthisasaquestionandanswersegment,notalecture.Itwillencouragethestudentstostartbrainstormingtheirownideas.

1. Usewhatyouhave.Isthereanythinginyourscriptworldthatyoucanfindoncampusorintheclassroom?i.e.itssetinajungleandthereisaplantoutside.Howcanyouusetheplanttocreateyourjungle?

2. Watchwhatsintheframe.Maybemaketheshottightersoyoucantseetheclassroomwhiteboard.

3. Bringitfromhome.Youcanbringpropsandsetdressingfromhome.Justmakesureyouwillrememberit.Whatifyoustartshootingasceneoneweekwithabrightyellowtablecloth,butyouforgetitthenextweek?Thescenewilllookreallyfunny.

(10min)

Splitintogroupsandreadoverthescriptstogethertorefresheveryonesmemoryandintroducethenewmentorstothestory.Letmentorsaskquestionsforacoupleminutes.

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CREATE(30min)

Eachgroupwillworkwiththeirmentorstochoosetheirlocationandcreateaprop/setlist.1. Findthelocation!2. Makesureyouhavepermissiontofilmthere.Ifitsoutsideoftheclassroom,youwill

havetoaskadministrationforpermissiontofilmonyourdates.(HeadMentorsshouldhelpwiththis.)

3. Talkaboutsetdressingandprops.Isthereanythingyouneedtobringfromhometomakethelocationwork?Makealisttogetherandwritedownwhoisbringingwhat.MentorsshouldsavethemasterlistontheiPad,andhandwritealistforeachstudenttotakehome.

4. Takeaphotoofyourlocationfromseveralangles.Youllusethislater.

SHARE(20min)

Beforesharing,talkaboutthepurpose:Itsgoodtoverbalizeourideastohelpsolidifythem.Also,itspossiblesomeoneelsesideaswillinspireyou.

JeanLucGodardsaidItsnotwhereyoutakethingsfrom,itswhereyoutakethemto.

Letsinspireeachother!

Haveeachgroupsharetheirlocationphotosandtheirplanstodressitup.Ifyouhaveareallyvocalgroupthathastroublelistening,youcanmakethisintoagame.Whentheylikeanideatheyhearfromsomeoneelse,havethemsnaptheirfingerslikeata

poetryreading.Theyarentallowedtotalkunlesstheyarepresenting.

REFLECT(10min)

Whatdoyouthinkthehighlightofthissemesterwillbe?

WEEK12PreProductionphase2:ShotListsGoals

Torefreshthelessononvaryingshotsandcompleteashotlist.

CompletableTasksIntroducesampleshotlist.Createshotlistsforeachscript.

SUPPLIES:6Shotlisttemplates,pens,scriptsoriPads

PLAY

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(10min)Crazy8sIamaTree

TEACH(10min)

Askthestudentsthesequestionsandexpandontheiranswers:Whatisashotlist?Whydoweneedashotlist?Handouttheshotlisttemplate(availableinmaterials).Doasampleshotlistforascene(fromascriptofyourchoosing)onthewhiteboard.Importantthingstohighlight:

Introducetheideaofoneshotbeingonesetup.Forinstance,ifyouwantacloseupofGIRLtalking,thatdoesntmeanyouhavetomakeashotforeverysingletimeyoucutbacktoher.Onyourshotlist,itwillbeoneshotScene,Page,CU,Description:GIRLtalking.Entirescene.

Variety!Rememberthetemplateweusedatthebeginningoftheyear?Tryusingthesameformulaforeachscene.

WideShot CloseUp 2Shot Movingshot(youpickthemove:pan,tilt,dolly,handheld,etc.) And1shotofyourchoice!

CREATE(1hour)

Splitintogroupsandcreatetheshotlistsusingthetemplateyouvehandedout.Bytheendofclass,eachgroupneedstohaveashotlistcompletedfortheirentirescript.Thismayrequire

youfloatingaroundandhelpingfacilitatesomeconversations.

*Tip:Forantsygroups,suggestthattheygetupandactoutthescenetofigureouttheirshots.Itcanhelpthemtovisualizewhattheywanttoshoot.

SHARE(5min)

Howmanyshotsdoeseachgrouphaveontheirlist?Doesanyonewanttodescribeoneoftheirshotstous?

REFLECT(5min)

Whatisthebestpartofworkingwithacreativepartner?

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WEEK13Preproductionphase4:StoryboardsGoals

IntroducestoryboardsandDPDirectorrelationship.Dividescriptsandbeginworkingtogetherasateam,sometimesasadirectorandsometimesasaDP.

CompletableTasksEstablishtheDirectorandDProles.Determinewhowillbedirectingwhichportionofeachscript.Createshotlistsforeachscript.

SUPPLIES:6iPads,paperandpens,completedshotlistsandscripts

PLAY(10min)

ColortheWordNinjaYah!

TEACH(10min)

Whatisastoryboard?(Showacoupleexamples)Whyisastoryboarduseful?(ForcommunicatingwiththeDP)

Whataresomewaysyoucancreateastoryboard?(Handdraw,oruseanapp,ortakeaphoto)

IntroducetheDirectorDPrelationship.TheDirectorshouldnevertouchthecamera.They

needtofocusonworkingwiththeactors,andcommunicatingwiththecrew.TheDPneedstolistentowhatthedirectorwants,andtrytoachieveitvisually.

TheDPcanalsomakesuggestions,butADPshouldneverjustchangetheshotwithouttalkingtothedirector.

Onyourfilms,youwillbothbedirecting.Whenoneofyouisdirecting,theotherpersonwillbetheDP.Sotoday,youaregoingtocreatestoryboardsfortheportionofthescriptthatyouare

directing.

CREATE(1hour)

Splitintogroupstocreatestoryboards.EachgroupshouldhaveaprintedcopyoftheirshotlistandiPad.

1. Divideupthescriptsoeachdirectorhashalf.Thiswillbetheportionofthescriptthattheydirectonfilmingday.Dividingcanbedonescenebyscene,oryoucansplititinhalfbypagenumbers.

2. Eachdirectorwillchoosetheirmethodofstoryboarding(maybeonelikestodrawand

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theotherwantstouseanapp).3. Createthestoryboardsforyourhalfofthescript!Mentors,helpguidethemand

managetimesotheygetthroughalloftheirboardsbytheendofclass.

SHARE(5min)

Sharetimewillbedoneinyourgroupsthisweek.Showoneofyourstoryboardstoyourdirectingpartner,andtellthemwhatyouwanttheshottolooklike.DPs,askquestionsifyou

havethem.

REFLECT(5min)

Thatsit!Yourereadytostartshootingyourmovie!Whatareyouexcitedandwhatareyounervousabout?

ANNOUNCEWHICHGROUPSAREFILMINGNEXTWEEKANDSENDALISTHOMEWITHTHEMOFWHATTHEYNEEDTOBRING(fromtheirprop/setdressinglist)

Production Productionofthefilmswillallowthemoviemakerstotaketurnsdirectingandoperating

thecamera.Theywilldirectprofessionalactors.

WEEKS1417Production*Eachfilmwillhave2weekstocompleteshootingwith3groupsfilmingatatime.

ProductionweeksarebrokendownintoWeek1and2.Repeattheseweeksforeachsetoffilms.*

WEEK1ofProductionGoals

GuidestudentsthroughtheprocessoffilmingtheirownmoviesReinforcethefilmmakingtoolsandlanguagelearnedatthebeginningoftheyear.

CompletableTasksIntroduceactors.Refreshfilmingorder.Filmonepageofthescript!

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SUPPLIES:6iPads,Shotlists,Storyboards,watersforactors,talentreleaseforms

PLAY(5minutes...Playwiththeactorsvisiting)

Crazy8sSlappass

TEACH(10min)

Quicklyrefreshonsetprotocolandpracticeitasagroup.1.Doesanyonerememberthefirststeptoonsetprotocol?(ItsQuietontheSet!)Andcananyonetellourguestswhathappensiftheykeeptalking?2.Whenworkingwithactors,bekind.Talktothemoneonone.Tellthemwhatyouwant,theywanttoknow!Rightactors?3.Howdoweholdthecamera?(TVMODEorLandscape)4.Whatdowedotonotwasteatake?Haveafewvolunteersdemonstrateonsetprotocolsothevisitingactorscanhear.

MENTORS:Quietontheset!(Onceitsquiet)RollCamera

(Cinematographerpressrecord)

CINEMATOGRAPHER:CameraSpeeds

DIRECTORS:(whenyoureready)

Action!

CREATESplitintogroupsandfilm.Thecrewshouldfunctionlikethis:

Mentorsarethe1stAD.Theyshouldkeeptrackoftheshotlistandscheduletohelpmovethingsalong.Tellthemtotrytogetthrough1pageoffilmingtoday.

Thestudentswilltaketurnsdirectingandoperatingthecamera.IfindagoodwaytosplitthisupisscenebysceneORweekbyweek(soonepersonisthedirectortheentiretimeforthe

firstweekandtheDPforthesecondweek).

SHARENosharingtimetoday.Justkeepfilming!

REFLECT

HaveeveryoneyellThatsaWrap!

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Likelytheywillneedtheentiretimetofilm.Ifyouhavetheluxuryofacoupleminutesattheendofclass,askthestudentswhodirectedtodaywhatwasthemostchallengingpartof

productionandwhatwasthemostfunpartofproduction.

WEEK2ofProductionGoals

GuidestudentsthroughtheprocessoffilmingtheirownmoviesReinforcethefilmmakingtoolsandlanguagelearnedatthebeginningoftheyear.

CompletableTasksFinishfilming!!Somestudentsmayhavetosacrificeextravagantshotliststogetthisdone.

SUPPLIES:6iPads,Shotlists,Storyboards,watersforactors,talentreleaseforms

PLAY(3minutes...Playwiththeactorsvisiting)

Crazy8s

TEACH(3minutes)

Noformallessontoday.Giveaquickpeptalkaboutlisteningtotheirmentors,remindthemtospeakdirectlytotheiractors,andgetstarted!

CREATE

Finishthefilms!MakesurementorsknowtheyMUSTFINISHfilmingtoday.ReferenceWeek1forabreakdownofhowthecrewshouldoperate.

SHARE

Nosharingtoday.Justfilm!

REFLECT(5minutes)

Today,ratherthanthestudentsreflecting,asktheactorstoreflect.Whatstoodouttoyouaboutyourdirectors?Orwhatwasyourfavoritepartofthescript?

Trytokeepresponsesbriefsoeveryonehasachancetospeak.Students:thankyouractorsfortheirwork,andtakephotoswiththem.

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Post Postproductionwillconsistofthementorscreatingaroughassemblyoftheirfilm,the

studentsgivingnotesandfeedback,andfinallycreatingtheirtrailerandpitch.Theprogramwillculminateinascreeningforfamilyandfriends,aswellasapitch

sessionforindustryprofessionals.

WEEK18FirstEditingMeetingGoals

Introduceeditingandtherelationshipbetweeneditorsanddirectors.

CompletableTasksGiveeditorsnotesandideasforeachfilm.PlanaTitleOpen.CreateaRoughAssembly.

SUPPLIES:6iPads,scripts

PLAY(5min)

Instrumentconversations.Thepurposeistogetthemthinkingabouthowpaceandemotionareconnected.

TEACH(5min)

First,introducethementorsaseditors!

Gooverhowtogivenotestoeditors.1.Thankthemforbeingyoureditor.2.Whentalkingaboutwhatyouwant,usefeelingwords.Editorswillhelpyousolvetheproblem.Forinstance,itfeelstooslow.Itdoesntfeelscaryenough.3.Ifyouhaveaspecificidea,tellthem!

CREATE(20min)

Irecommendwritingthischecklistontheboardsogroupscanworkindependently. Readthescripttogether. Telltheeditorhowyouwanttheaudiencetofeel. Talkabouteachsceneyoufilmed.Didanythingchangewhenyoufilmedit?

Wasthereasceneyoufeellikeyoudidntgetenoughcoveragefor?Anyothernotes? Seeiftheeditorhasanyquestions.

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*Mentorsworkonaroughassemblywhilethestudentsworkwithyou.*

TEACH(10min)

Explaintheconceptoftitleopens(havingcreditsthatbegintotellyourstoryorconveyyouremotion)

Thekeyelementsare:Sound,Visuals,Names/Credits

CREATE(40min)

Splitintogroupsandplanthetitleopens.WillyoumakethemontheiPad,handdrawn,etc?*Letthementorsworkuntiltheverylastsecondontheedit*

SHARE/REFLECT

Whatwasyourroseoryourthornfromtoday?Letsthanktheeditors!!

WEEK19RoughCutnotesGoals

Givestudentspracticalskillstocommunicatenotestoeditors.

CompletableTasksWatchroughcutandgiveeditorsanynotes.

SUPPLIES:6iPads,scripts

PLAY(10min)

BoomChicaBoom

TEACH(10min)

Reviewhowyouwillgivenotestotheeditors:1.Thankthemforalloftheworktheyveputinsofar.2.Usefeelingwords.Editorswillhelpyousolvetheproblem.Forinstance,itfeelstooslow.Itdoesntfeelscaryenough.3.Ifyouhaveaspecificidea,tellthem!

CREATE(50min)

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Irecommendwritingthischecklistontheboardsogroupscanworkindependently. Watchthecuttogether. Givefeedbackandworkonchangesasagroup. MakeyourTitleOpenyouplannedoutlastweek. Whenyouresatisfiedwithyourcut,lockpicture. Thendoasoundpass.Insertsoundeffects,music,etc.

SHARE

notimeforsharingtoday

REFLECT(10min)

Editors:whatwillyourememberaboutyourwriters/directors,ortheirscripts?Writersanddirectors,whatisyourfavoritepartofyourmoviesofar?

WEEK20Trailers

GoalsGuidestudentsthroughtheprocessofcreatingatrailerfortheirfilms.

CompletableTasksTalkaboutgoodtrailers.Watchasample.Createtrailersforeachfilm.

SUPPLIES:6iPads

PLAY(5min)

SoundStory

TEACH(15min)

Whatisatrailer?Watchafewdifferenttrailersasagroup.

Askthestudentsandwriteontheboard,whatmakesagoodtrailer?(Funnylines,

suspense,goodcaptions,namesofactors,etc.) Whatisthepurposeofatrailer? ExplainhowtousetheiMovietrailerfunction.

Note:youcanuseclipsthatdidntmakeitintoyourfilm! Yourentiretrailercouldactuallynotbefromyourfilm,butitcouldbesomething

stylizedusingiMotionHDorSlowProapps.

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CREATE(1hour)

Createtrailerstogetherwithmentors.Taketurnsdoingtheactualediting.Trailerneedstobecompletebytheendofthisclass.

(nosharetoday)

REFLECT(5min)

Whatisitliketomakeatrailer?Whatwasthehardestpart?Theeasiestpart?

WEEK21TheBigPitch!

GoalsTeachstudentstotakeafinishedproduct,andcreateapitch.

CompletableTasksTalkaboutpitching.Createapitch.Pitchtoprofessionals.

SUPPLIES:Executives,methodtoplaythetrailers(acomputer,TV,orprojector...doyouneedtoburnaDVD?Planthisaheadoftime).PrintedinvitationstoTheBigScreening.

PLAY

SoapboxRant/Rave(10min)

TEACH(15min)

Introducetheideaofapitch.Soyouvemadeamovie,andnowyouwantpeopletoseeit.Youllneedtotellpeopleaboutyourmovie!

Tellthestudentstheywillbepitchingtheirmovietoagroupofexecutives.Whatareexecutives?Theyarethepeoplethatbuymovieideasandmakethefilms,orbuyalreadymadefilmsanddistributethemtothepublic.Oncetheypitchtheirfilm,andplaythetrailer,theexecutiveswillaskthemquestionsabouttheirmovie.Then,studentswillshakehandswiththeexecutivesandthankthem.Givestudentsthepitchoutline:

1.Introduceyourselves.2.Saythetitleofyourfilmandyourtagline.3.Saytheloglineofyourfilm.4.Playthetrailer.5.Saywhytheylovethefilmandwhyaudiencesneedtoseeit.

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CREATE(30min)

Studentswillprepfortheirpitches.UsingthePitchOutline,theywillwriteeachitemoutanddecidewhowillsaywhat.Mentorscanguidethemthroughtheprocess,butthementorswillnotbepitchingwiththem.

SHARE(30min)

Pitchtoexecutives!

Eachgroupwillgetupanddelivertheirpitchoutline.Executiveswillthenaskquestions.AttheendofeveryQ&Asession,studentswillshakehandswithexecutivesandeveryonewillapplaud.Remembertotakephotoswiththeexecutivesandstudents,aswellasagroupphoto.

REFLECT(5min)

Howdiditfeelhavingsomeoneaskyouquestionsaboutyourfilm?Doyouhaveanideaforanotherfilm?Whatisit?

**Sendinvitationshomewiththekidstoinvitetheirfamily**

WEEK22TheBigScreening!

GoalsScreenthefilmsforpeers,family,andsuperiors,allowingthestudentstointroducetheirownwork.Celebratethestudentssuccessandpoweroftheirvoice!

CompletableTasksPracticetheirintroductionsoftheirfilms.Runtheshow!

SUPPLIES:12VIPTags,12Awards,DVDofthemovies(orpreviouslydeterminedplayingmethod)

PLAY(10min)

KittyWantsaCornerGoonieGoonie

TEACH(3min)

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Students:rememberlastweekwhenyoupitchedtotheexecutives?Todayyouwillbeintroducingyourfilmstoparentsandguests.Comeupwiththeanswerstothesequestionsas

wellasanythingelseyouwanttosay.Practiceyourintroduction!

CREATE(10min)

Studentswillworkwiththeirpartner.Someofthiswillberepeatedfromthepitch,soitshouldnttakelong.

1.Whatinspiredyoutowritethisfilm?2.Whatwasthemostdifficultpartoftheprocess?

3.Whatwasthebestpartoftheprocess?4.Announcethetitleandtagline

SHARE(50min)

SCREENING!!Parentsareinvited.RUNOFSHOW:Welcomeeveryone.Giveabriefoverviewoftheprogramsotheparentsknowwhattheirkidshavebeendoingallyear.Introducethementors(havethemstandforapplause).Calleachgroupupindividuallyrightbeforetheirfilmscreens.Havethementorsaskthewriters/directorstoanswerthefirst3questionstheyprepared.GivethemtheirYMMaward,thenhavethemannouncetheirtitleandtaglineandgivethemahugeroundofapplauseastheysitbackdown.Playthefilm.Onceallthefilmshavescreened,haveallMovieMakersandtheirmentorscomeupfrontforafinalbowandphoto.YoucanmakethisfunbyteachingtheparentsThatsaWrapandhavingeveryoneyellittogether.

GAME INDEX NAMEGAME Purpose:Introduceourselvesandremembernames,whileencouragingsharingourvoiceinagroupandmakingeyecontactetc...How:Onepersonbeginsbysaying,Hi,mynameisAwesomeArrowynwhiledoingsomephysicalmovementatthesametime.ThecirclemirrorsthemovementandsaysHi,AwesomeArrowynatthesametime.Agoodwaytousethistoremembertheirnamesistohaveeveryonekeeptheiradjectiveandopeneverysessionthiswayseeingifonepersoncanremembereveryonesname.

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SLAPPASSPurpose:Practicemakingeyecontact,andgettheenergyup.How:Standinacircle.Onepersonstarts.Theywillturntothepersonnexttothem,makeeyecontact,andthentheywillbothtrytoclapattheexactsametime.Thatpersonwillthenturntothenextpersonandrepeatthis.Thegoalistoclapatthesametime,makegoodeyecontact,andgettheclapmovingaroundthecircleasfastaspossible.Onceithasmadeitaroundthecirclewithasingleclap,tryingsendingadouble.

THEWINDCOMESANDTAKESAWAY Purpose:Topersonalizethebasicstorytellingelementsandintroducetheconceptthatstoriescancomefromthem.How:Formacircle.Onepersonstandsinthemiddleandsayssomethingthatthewindtakesawaythatisaboutthemselvespersonally(Thewindcomesandtakesawayeveryonewearingblue).Everyoneinthecirclewhoiswearingbluemustswitchplaceswithsomeoneelsewhoiswearingblue.Whoeverisleftouttakesthemiddleplace.Adddepthtothequestionsasyougo.Somesuggestions:thewindcomesandtakesawayeveryonewithabrother,everyonewhowantstobeanastronaut,everyonewhohascriedwhilewatchingamovie,etc....OBSTACLEGAMEPurpose:Afun(andloud)waytogetpartnerscommunicatingandworkingtogether!How:Havethestudentsformtwolinesacrosstheroomfromeachother.Theyshouldallbefacingtheirpartner.Onelinecanspeakandsee,butcannotmove.Theotherlinecanmove,buttheycantspeakandhavetokeeptheireyesclosed.Thegoalistogettheirpartnertoreachthem.Nowthefunpart:onceyouhaveonelineofkidswiththeireyesclosed,thementorsformhumanobstaclesbetweenthetwolines.Ifakidtouchesamentor,theyhavetogobacktothestartinglineandbeginagain.Onceeveryonehasreachedtheirpartner,switchsoeachstudenthasaturngivinginstructionandreceivinginstruction.BOOMCHICABOOM!Purpose:Tobreaktheiceandgettheenergyup.How:Everyonestandsinacircleandonepersonleadsachantthateveryoneelserepeats.Itgoeslikethis:BoomchicaBoom!(Grouprepeats)IsaidaBoomChicaBoom!(repeat)IsaidaBoomchicaracachicaracachicaboom!(repeats)Ohyeah(repeat)Ahhuh(repeat)OnemoretimeHONEY,ILOVEYOU

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Purpose:Tobreaktheice.How:Onepersonisinthemiddleofthecircleofpeople.Theirjobistogetsomeoneinthecircletosmileorlaugh.Theycannottouchanyone,butratherhavetoaskthequestionHoney,Iloveyou,willyoupleasesmile?inacreativewaythatwillgettheirhoneytobreak.Theycanaskthequestiontwicebeforemovingontoanewperson.Thehoneyhastoreplywithoutsmilingwith:Honey,Iloveyou,butIjustcantsmile.Ifthepersoninthemiddlegetssomeonetosmile,thentheyswitchplacesandthatpersonnowhasthetaskofgettingsomeoneelsetosmile.Ifthehoneyisabletoreplywithoutsmiling,thenthepersoninthemiddlehastocontinuearoundthecircle.WALKAROUNDTHEROOMPurpose:Togetideasflowing,anddrawstudentsoutoftheirshell.How:Haveeveryonestartwalkingaroundtheroomatrandom.Theleader(you)willgivethempromptslikeWalklikeitsraining.orWalklikeyoujustgotthebestnewsofyourlife.OrWalklikesomeonescaryischasingyou.GIBBERISHINTERPRETERPurpose:Togrowstudentconfidencespeakinginfrontoftheclass,andtopracticebrainstormingstoryideas.How:Haveeveryonepracticespeakingingibberish.Wellalldoittogether.Seeifyoucanmakeyourownuniquegibberishsounds,thataredifferentfromthepersonnexttoyou.Thenaskfor2volunteers.Onevolunteerisgoingtobeourvisitingexpertfromanotherland.Askthemwhatlandtheyarefromandhavethemrespondingibberish.Ah,yes,thelandof(Whateversoundtheymade)wheretheyonlyspeak_____?Havethestudentsaythenameoftheirgibberishlanguage.Nowhavetheclassthrowoutideasofwhattheycanbeanexperton(anythingfromcookiemakingtohowtogrowanewplanet).Onceyouvedecidedwhattheexpertwillbeadvisinguson,thenwecanstarttheinterview.Hereswheretheothervolunteercomesin.TheywillbetranslatingbecausetheyspeakEnglishandthegibberishlanguage!!Studentsintheclasswillraisetheirhandandaskquestions.Theinterpreterwillthentranslatethequestionintogibberish.Theexpertwillreplyingibberish(usinghandmotions,toneofvoice,etc.tocommunicatewhattheymean).ThentheexpertwilltranslatetoEnglishfortheclass.Afterafewquestions,applaudforthetwovolunteers,andhavetwonewvolunteerscomeup.IAMATREEPurpose:Topracticebrainstormingasagroupandbuildingonpeerideas.

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How:OnepersonbeginsthegamebysayingIamaTreeandstrikingaposelikeatree.Thenanothervolunteerwilljumpupandcreateashapeofsomethingelsewiththeirbody.TheyshouldbetouchingtheTree,anditshouldmakesensewiththetree.Forinstance,theycouldbeabenchthatisagainstthetree.TheywouldformthebenchandsayIamabench.Athirdpersoncomesupandcreatesanotherobjectsayingwhattheyareastheystriketheirpose.Next,thefirsttwopeople(thetreeandbench)willleavesojustthethirdpersonisthere.Nowwewillbuildanewtableaubuildingonthislastobject(ifitwasatrashcan,thenstudentswillbuildascenearoundthetrashcan).THREECHANGES Purpose:Tophysicallydemonstratethepracticeofthinkingaboutdetails.How:Fullgroupcountsoffintoteamsoftwoplayerseach.Allteamsplaysimultaneously.Partnersobserveoneanother,notingdress,hair,accessories,andsoon.Partnersthenturnbacksoneachotherandeachmakesthreechangesinpersonalappearance:theyparthair,untieashoelace,switchwatchtotheotherarm,etc.Whenready,partnersagainfaceeachotherandeachtriestoidentifywhatchangestheotherhasmade.MCDONALDSDETAILSCENE Purpose:Demonstratestheimportanceofdetailsinascene.How:TwomentorsactoutaregularMcDonaldsscene:onepersonisthecashierandtheotheristhecustomer.Theyordertheirburger,theygetit,theyleave.Now,howcanwemakethismoreinteresting?Givethecustomeragoalandaconflict,samewiththecashier.Actitoutagain.

GOONIEGOONIEPurpose:Togettheenergyupandout!How:Standinacirclewithshoulderstouching.Repeatthechantbelow3times.Startveryslow,theneachroundgetsfasteruntilyoualmostcantcatchyourbreath.Handmotionsthatgowitheachphraseare:Rump,rumprumpreachyourhandsovertotherightandpatthatpersonskneeseachtimeyousayrump.Goonie,Goonie,Goonie,Goonie,GoonieReachyourhandstotheleftandactlikeyoureticklingthatpersonsheadandchin.Aiyayo,AiyayoThisoneissingsongy.Rockyourtorsobackandholdupbothhandslikeyouregivinguptoabadguywithaguneachtimeyousayit.Hereisthechanttorepeat3timeswiththemotions:

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Rump,rump,rump.Rump,rump,rump.Goonie,goonie,goonie,goonie,goonie,Rump,rump,rump.Rump,rump,rump.Rump,rump,rump.Goonie,goonie,goonie,goonie,goonie,Rump,rump,rump.Aiyayo!Aiyayo!Goonie,goonie,goonie,goonie,goonie,Rump,rump,rump.Aiyayo!Aiyayo!Goonie,goonie,goonie,goonie,goonie,Rump,rump,rump.Nowfaster!CRAZY8S Purpose:Energybuilding.How:Everyonestandsinacircleandonepersonstartsthecountdownwiththeirrighthand,shakingit8timeswhilecountingaloud(1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8),thensamewiththelefthand,thenrightfootandleftfoot.Thenitsbacktotherighthandforasevencount,thenlefthand,rightfoot,leftfoot,etc...Bythetimeyoureachoneyoulooklikeacrazyperson.COLORTHEWORD Purpose:Toencourageeyecontact,vocalization,appropriatemanners,choicemaking,andfollowingdirectionsaswellasgainingconfidenceinagroup.How:Thefirstpersonpicksawordandsendsitaroundthecirclewitheyecontact.Next,theinstigatorchoosesanemotiontogoalongwiththeword,sameword,coloringthewordandeachpersoninthecirclemimicsthatemotion.Lastly,eachplayerisencouragedtocolorthewordanywaytheywant.INSTRUMENTCONVERSATIONSPurpose:Tointroducetheideaofpacecommunicatingemotionandstory.How:Havetwostudentssitorstandfacingeachother.Theyshouldeachhaveaninstrument.Theinstrumentscanbeacanasadrumandapencilasadrumstick,oratupperwarehanddrum,oranythingyouhaveintheroomthatmakesnoise.Asthefacilitatorofthegame,askeachstudenttotakeaturnmakingtheirinstrumenttalk.Makesuretheyaremakingeyecontactandbeingclearwhentheyaredonewiththeirturn.Next:Tellthemtotalktoeachotherusingeyecontact,andtheirinstruments.Makesuretheydonttalkovereachother.Finally:Givethememotionalprompts.Forinstance:Kaytie,youhavereallyexcitingnews.OrJoao,begintheconversationlikeyouvejustwokenup.SOUNDSTORYPurpose:Topracticegroupbrainstormingandbuildingonideas.

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How:Onepersoncreatesaseriesofsounds,thenanotherpersoninterpretsthestorythatcreatedthesounds.Goaroundthecircleallowingeachpersontoparticipate.Thisshouldbesupersillyandfun.SOAPBOXRANT Purpose:Towarmupthevocalchords,encouragepublicspeaking,andtointroducetheideaofgoingwithathoughtunedited.How:Everyoneisgiven30secondsormoretorant/raveaboutwhatevertheywantto.Onlyrequirementisthattheykeeptalkingfortheentiretimeallottedandthattheyspeakloudandclear..Theyshouldstand.Definethedifferencebetweenarantandaraveandtheyshouldbeallowedtovacillatebetweenthetwoifithelpsthemkeeptalking.Mentorsparticipate.KITTYWANTSACORNER Purpose:AnImprovgametolooseneveryoneup.How:Everyonestandsinacircle.OnepersonistheKitty.TheKittygoestoeachpersonsaying(preferablyinastrangevoice)Kittywantsacorner,andthepersontheyareaskinganswers(inhopefullyanevenstrangervoice)Nothere,trymyneighbor!!astheypointtoeithertheleftorright.Whilethisisgoingon,therestoftheplayersbehindoraroundthesetwoaremakingeyecontactandtryingtoswitchplaceswithoutgettingcaughtbytheKitty.IftheKittyreachesoneoftheemptyspacesbeforeoneoftheotherplayers,theotherplayerbecomesthenewKitty.Itsveryfastandveryfunandcangetquitechaotic.Makesuretheymakeeyecontactbeforemoving.Becarefulfastwalking,dontrun!

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