Tuesday, April 30 - Some tips for your script

Crazy puppet that Ms. Howard made 30 years ago.

These are from the book, Save the Cat, by Blake Snyder, a top screen-writing guide.

What do you pay attention to when you start or hear a story? It's the intro, set-up for changes and the changes that happen to the hero as he/she transforms and grows.

THE WORLD OF THE HERO NEEDS TO BE SET UP BEFORE WE START THE STORY.

This is the spine of the story and you should answer these questions before you begin your script.

Who's the hero?
What's the problem?
How does the story begin and end?
What are the tangible goals? (real)?
What are the spiritual goals?
What is the story about?
What is the theme(this is not an English class question- see below)?

According to Blake Snyder, there are two stories in every story.

There is the stuff on the surface which is the PLOT
There is the stuff below the surface which is the THEME.
(The below the surface is spiritual and it is the lessons the hero learns from the plot and the REAL STORY.)

He says that you have an A story and a B story.

A story = PLOT = wants = tangible
B story = THEME = needs = spiritual
WE MUST PUT CONFLICT IN ALL OF OUR SCENES. It can be big stuff or little stuff. Things have to conspire to make your hero have troubles on their journey. Comedy comes out of this, too.

HUMANS WON'T WATCH OR LISTEN IF THERE IS NO CONFLICT.

Put these things on the page before you begin to shoot.

Ms. Greer
Silver Spring, Md.

48-Hour-TYPE project (it is actually two weeks)

Raymond Trang talks to audience at the MCPS Environmental Film Festival about his video on Friday, April 26, 2013.

48 Hour-type project (Due May 10 with total 150 pts):

Objective: You are creating a comedy that will help increase school pride and participation. Preparation is everything so the prep work is worth more than the finished project.

I am making the groups for you. This is because you all don’t know each other and you need to learn to collaborate with all types of people in your work life.

Your grade will be based on the feedback I get from the group about your contribution as well.

Script is worth 70 points
Storyboard is worth 50 points
Video is worth 30 points
Feedback grade from your peers (10)

• You must work from a script that you have collaborated on together.
• That is due at the end of block day May 1 or 2. Storyboards due on Friday, end of period
• Must be in screenplay format (see blog April 24 https://vimeo.com/videoschool/lesson/75/screenplay-formatting)
• Must have a storyboard that shows all shots of the video (must go along with this storyboard or serious deductions will be taken from grades)

Script Requirements:

• Must include the words “If you don’t know where you are from, then you aren’t anywhere.”
• Must include some kind of spirit wear from JFK (team jersey, shakers, etc.)
• Must include some photograph or videotape of Dr. Minus

This is a 3-5 min. tape so keep it simple, keep it funny, keep it disciplined (have a script and a plan). Your character must want something and things conspire against them. You must get the props and the media of Dr. Minus.

Rubric:

• Audio is funny
• Script successfully sells school pride and participation
• Video is not shaky
• Video has varied shots (Close-up, Medium, Establishing)
• Actors are believable and not hamming for the camera
• Audio is VERY good (attention paid to shot location, etc.)
• Video shows care and attention to detail

We will shoot/edit next week. Due at end of day Friday, May 10.

April 26 -- Reads and contest

Check out these articles today.

The guy who was hijacked by the Boston bombers tells his story here. Reads like a Quentin Tarentino film.

Even though it is late in the game and the deadline is May 1, I want you guys to start documenting with your phones for this contest. Click here for information. I am waiting for the contest rules from The New York Times. Meanwhile, you start shooting pictures that you believe document your life as a teen NOW.

Check out the creativity in these living spaces. I want to live there.

Make sure you have your stuff uploaded to the Buffalo. Next week is serious comedy week. You will need to write scripts. No fooling.

Ms. Greer
Silver Spring, Md.

Assignment for April 24 - Green screen Boston report (you are late) AND a summary report of the following web sites.

My grandmother's one-room schoolhouse.

Write up a short one-paragraph response to each of the following web sites. 20 pts Summative

Watch this before you begin the others. Stop the negative talk in your head.

Click here for first video.

Click here for second video.

Click here for third video.

Click here for proper screenplay formatting. You will have to do this next week.

Ms. Greer
Silver Spring, Md.

April 24 - revised and updated

Comedy Project (50 pts summative)

Since so many people will be missing due to LTI's retreat and the Penn Relays and other field trips, we are delaying this project until next week. I will break you into groups next Monday and the script will be due on Tuesday. Shooting the video will happen on block day. Editing on Friday.

You are doing a video that will help increase school pride and participation. Think of it as a muscle that hasn’t been used much so by creating this exercise program you will be increasing school pride.

This is a 2-3 min. tape so keep it simple, keep it funny, keep it disciplined (have a script and a plan). You may want to bring props.

I have made groups for you.

Rubric:

Audio is good
Video is not shaky
Video has varied shots (Close-up, Medium, Establishing)
Script has a good premise and possibility of being funny
Actors are believable and not hamming for the camera

Ms. Greer
Silver Spring, Md.

April 23 - Green screen today

Be sure that you have your script for the Boston bombing in the Handin folder AND that you have shot a green screen report. Be sure to practice what you say a couple of times.

It should only take each of you one minute to shoot your stand-up. Don't waste time. Then find your images for the story and add them to Final Cut.

First thing during your block period, you will load your video and put together with images you have found from the Boston story. Upload to the Buffalo.

This is the first thing we will do on Block AND then you will get your comedy piece together that has been assigned.

Ms. Greer Silver Spring, Md.

April 22 - Boston Marathon quiz in the form of a stand-up report (30 PTS FORMATIVE)

Picture is from Day of Silence last Friday.

Very dramatic happenings since we talked about the bombing coverage on Friday.

The objective today is to research the events and turn it into a 30-45 sec. report to be shot in front of the green screen.

This does several things that are beneficial to you. It helps you figure out what facts are important and then put them into your professional voice.

We will put up scenes from the story behind you in Final Cut's green screen.

Grade will be 20 points on your script and 10 on your delivery.

So here is your mission:

1. You are to research and write a script re-capping all the facts of this episode so far.

2. You will be the reporter doing a stand-up with your notes in your hand in front of the green screen (we will shoot tomorrow).

3. Type this up and save to your documents file. Turn your script into my Handin File before the end of the period. Make a copy for yourself so you can practice.

4. Your tone is factual and serious.

5. Write script using active verbs.
For example: "The suspect hid in a boat." --NOT-- "The suspect was hiding in a boat." Go though your script and change all passive (or "to be") verbs.

Again, you will be able to refer to your notes as you do the stand-up.

Preview: WE WILL SHOOT ANOTHER COMEDY SEQUENCE ON WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY. SAME GROUPS. DIFFERENT CHALLENGE.

Ms. Greer
Silver Spring, Md.

April 19 - Day of Silence PLUS what projects need to be done before end of day

I am postponing the current events quiz until Monday so that we can see where this story in Boston goes. I want you to follow it and watch how social media played a part in it. At this time we know there is a huge manhunt going on for Suspect #2 in Watertown, Massachusetts. Be an expert on all things regarding this story by Monday.

Today, before the end of your class period, make sure that your green screen project AND your comedy piece is on the Buffalo. I am uploading them to my hard drive immediately after your classes. Then, fill out the the comedy de-briefing.

Ms. Greer
Silver Spring, Md.

April 18 and 19 - Quick Fire Project

Comedy Project (This is a Quick Fire) 50 pts.

Your mission is to create something funny that is clean and won't offend.

Names in Group:

Today you must shoot a funny scene and edit it by tomorrow, Friday. It must be in the Buffalo by end of day tomorrow. Do not mess around and waste time.

YOU MAY USE THE GREEN SCREEN OR NOT. You are responsible for getting it into your computer.

You will critique the contributions of all the members of your group at the end and write up what went right and what went wrong with the project.

Rubric

Uses several different shots (that may mean you have to reshoot from different angles as you will only have one camera)

Audio is clear

Scene is funny and makes sense

Ms. Greer
Silver Spring >/br>

April 13, 2013 - Green screen assignment (25 pts formative) Due end of day on Tuesday

Yesterday, classes that had block worked on green screen clips that they did of themselves. Everyone will be doing this project.

You must add audio to your piece and get it ready for showing. We will build a compilation and load to YouTube. If you do not like what you shot, then you may shoot your green screen again.

Several things about safety. The lights cannot be touched. They are very hot and the oil from you hand can make the bulbs explode.

Again, the lights are very hot and we don't want them on unnecessarily. So work fast.

The goal is to be able to tell stories with the green screen.

For example, could you tell a children's story with the green screen? What would you need to insert yourself in The Three Little Pigs, for instance?

Rubric for green screen

Story/sketch/joke was good -- 15 pts
Audio was good -- 5 pts
Illusion was good (no missing hands, etc.) 5 pts.
Use of props is a welcome bonus

Preen in green,

Ms. Greer
Silver Spring, Md.

April 8 -- Create a Science Rhyme to Win a Shout-Out From Wu-Tang Clan's GZA

Check this out.

Deadline is May 3 for the contest. This is for your information. This is not a grade.

Check out the rap from GZA here.

Ms. Greer
Silver Spring, Md.

April 4, 2013 - Alice Ferguson Foundation Video Contest Project (30 points planning - formative)

So, here is the link. Big prize money. But you must have a good idea. If you chose to do green screen, then come up with a plan that incorporates green screen. If you want to learn stop motion, then come up with a plan for that. If you chose to do a music video, then make it work with this contest.

Everyone in this class is entering this contest. It is for a grade.

Several years ago, we filmed their creek clean-up (it is this weekend). It was shocking how much stuff they pulled out of the creek. Especially PLASTIC.

You have two days to pick several partners. Then you must pitch this with storyboards and a good idea. Those with the first credible ones will be given the opportunity to start first on the green screen and the stop-motion equipment.

The BEST GO FIRST.

So do your very best to come up with an idea that can win the $1,000.

On Monday, we need to see storyboards and script ideas plus any song lyrics or what your individuals would look like. If it were me, I would create a character built out of plastic and how they have a terrible adventure. But that is me. What do you and your group want to do?

Actual production will be worth 50 points but that is later.

April 3 -- Homework (Due April 9)

Here is the link for your homework. It has a link to the one-hour audio piece.

This is appropriate, especially for you seniors who will be launched in just a few short weeks. Homework is for all, however.

It is called "Walking Across America." It is about a 23-year-old guy named Andrew Forsthoefel. He walked across our country and asked people what advice they would give him. He had to cut 85 hours of tape down to one-hour. Listen to his radio story. It is something I hope you learn from and I hope you watch how he edited it.

You need to write a one-page reflection paper on your reaction to this piece. What parts resonated with you? What parts made you wonder and why?

What was the best advice this guy got? Will any of this go with you on your own journey?

This is a homework assignment that will have you think about how you think.

Take some time and really listen to this. Take time and write a truly good paper.

Homework grade (50 pts.)

Ms. Greer
Silver Spring, Md.