the young storytellers foundation moviemakers handbook
DESCRIPTION
Curriculum from the Young Storytellers FoundationTRANSCRIPT
-
Movie Makers
Head Mentor Handbook 2014-15
Every Child Has a Story Worth Telling
OURMISSIONTheYoungStorytellersFoundationdevelopsliteracythroughtheartofstorytelling.
Usinggroupexercisesandoneononementoring,weprovideunderservedchildreninthepublicschoolsystemanopportunitytowritestoriesandseethembroughttolife
throughperformance.
Ourmissionistoinspirechildrentodiscoverthepoweroftheirownvoice.
1
-
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.
2
-
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!
3
-
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.
4
-
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.
5
-
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.
6
-
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
7
-
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.
8
-
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
9
-
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.
10
-
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.
11
-
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
12
-
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:
13
-
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.
14
-
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
15
-
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.
16
-
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)
17
-
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***
18
-
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.
19
-
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
20
-
(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?
21
-
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
22
-
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!
23
-
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!
24
-
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.
25
-
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.
26
-
*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)
27
-
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.
28
-
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.
29
-
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)
30
-
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.
31
-
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
32
-
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.
33
-
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:
34
-
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.
35
-
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!
36