Day 2
The Art of Screenwriting
Your second lesson will be dedicated to learning about the traditional narrative structure of films and how this structure allows us to create a story and write a script.
Warm-up Activity: Storytime
You will complete this activity with the entire group. The instructor will begin telling a story and eventually will say "but unfortunately..." At this point, the instructor will call on a filmmaker to follow up with an unfortunate event. The instructor will then continue with "but fortunately..." and another filmmaker will follow up with a fortunate event. The game will continue in this fashion until three fortunate events have been called in a row.
"Taking the Plunge"
You will now watch a short film with the group. The instructor will pause several times to ask questions about the types of angles and shots that you see.
Putting It in Order
Are you familiar with the story of The Wizard of Oz? Take a look at the video below if you are not. Then, with a partner, complete the activity that follows.
Writing Workshop
You will work on this activity in groups of four (two people from Group 1 and two people from Group 2). First, you will work with your group to draw an original storyboard composed of six shots. Then, you will exchange storyboards with a group and write a short script for the new storyboard. When you have finished, give the storyboard and script back to the original group and compare your interpretation of their storyboard versus what they had imagined the story to be.
Homework
For the next lesson, work with your film crew to create the storyboard and a sample of a script for your original short film. Submit both of those documents using the form below.
Now, take a look at the narrative structure graph. Can you place the events from The Wizard of Oz in the correct spots on the graph? Pay attention to the labels that are used.
"Taking the Plunge" Part 2
You will now rewatch the short film "Taking the Plunge." As you watch, mark down the key events that correspond to the labels on the narrative structure graph.
Different Perspectives
You will work in groups of 3 for this activity. With your group, choose one of the following characters/objects from "Taking the Plunge": the girl, the ring, the octopus, the shark. Using the narrative structure graph to help guide you, rewrite the events from the film from the perspective of your chosen character. Use the passive voice were appropriate.
Storyboarding & Screenwriting
The class will be divided into two groups. Each group will be responsible for reading one of the following articles and then answering the questions that accompany it.