by Savannah Fillerup
**will take two days**
Objective
● Students will be able to develop a plot using dramatic structure and staging choices by creating a shot list for a 2-3 minute silent film with a logical story and potential camera angles.
Standards
● Utah
○ Standard 7-8.T.CR.3: Use form and structure to create a scene or play with
a beginning, middle, and end that includes full character development,
believable dialogue, and logical plot outcomes.
○ Standard 7-8.T.CR.4: roles, identify responsibilities, and participate in
group decision making. ● National
- ○ TH:Pr4.1.6.a. Identify the essential events in a story or script that make up the dramatic structure in a drama/theatre work.
○ TH:Pr4.1.7.a. Consider various staging choices to enhance the story in a drama/theatre work.
Materials needed
● Warm-Up Question
- ○ What’s your favorite form of potato?
- ○ Where is your dream vacation spot?
- ● Give them 10 minutes to decide on a basic storyline—review dramatic structure. Then I’ll put them in breakout rooms for 5-10 minutes so they can share with each other their plot structures and give each other feedback on the story specifically—making sure it makes sense and is followable.
○ They should use this to help them plan out the story. They will have to make a copy. [02] Editable Plot Diagram.docx
Hook
● Show the storyboarding video from Pixar to give them a taste of what they’ll be doing today to further develop their silent film.
Instruction
● Storyboarding
○ Part of storyboarding for a film is, as we saw, having an idea of what the
shot will look like.
○ When you’re onstage, the whole stage can be seen. When you’re on film,
you can choose what the audience is seeing. I’ll be showing you a few camera angles using the PowerPoint to give you an idea of some camera angles you can use to convey particular meaning.
■ This will be part of your “staging” grade.
○ Recommend that they take notes that way they can remember when
they’re storyboarding.
○ Move your way through the Language of Film PowerPoint—pace yourself,
it may take time. It’s a long PowerPoint!
Practice
● Give them time with their groups to start storyboarding - day 2 will likely start here!
○ There is a PowerPoint template for them to fill out. The description should include certain camera angles or clarification on what it’ll look like. It only has twelve shots, but you can add more if you need them.
■ Silent Film - Scene/Shot Break Down
○ Include any of the subtitles you use as part of it - remember, the subtitles
should only be used if ABSOLUTELY necessary. Use them very sparingly; think about how often The General used them. This is a film, not a book.
Assessment
● Turn in the storyboard via Canvas when you’re done.