Three-Act+Structure+-+Visual+Storytelling+-+Interview

=Week 4 - Three Act Structure and Visual Storytelling / Interview =

===A film features three acts, where the story's action takes place. Each act has a specific storytelling job, and with enough practice, a viewer should be able to point each one out easily. ===

Training Module DVD Movie - Let Them Eat Cake

 * How did the filmmakers tell their story told without dialogue?
 * These techniques are known as visual storytelling. Some common visual storytelling techniques are:
 * Acting, editing, costumes, music and sound effects, shot selection/cinematography, props, locations and scenery 

What are the three parts of a story? Filmmakers refer to these as the three acts of a story. What happens during each part of the story?

 * Act 1 (Beginning): Introduce characters and setting. Introduce the concept of the protagonist, the main character of the film.
 * Brainstorm a list of different protagonists you've seen in films. What similar traits do these characters share?
 * How does a film tell the audience the time and place of the story? (text, locations, props, costumes, language, etc.)
 * Act 2 (Middle): Introduction of a goal that leads to the main problem or conflict of the story.
 * Brainstorm specific characters they've seen in films and what their goals were.
 * Introduce a character with a goal, for instance, the teacher's goal is to pick up a marker. Brainstorm about potential conflicts that can make this goal difficult to accomplish.
 * Act 3 (End): Conclusion. The protagonist's final confrontation. The audience finds out whether the protagonist accomplishes his or her goal.
 * Brainstorm films they've seen where the protagonists have accomplished their goal, and others where they have failed. 

Acts of a Story - Handout [[file:acts.pdf]]

 * How could you present the following scenes visually without using any dialogue or typical stereotypes?
 * The intelligent girl walked home from school.
 * The silly boy ate spaghetti for lunch.
 * The angry woman wrote a letter to her boss. 

Picture Books without Words

 * Floatsam by David Wiesner
 * [[file:Flotsam.ppt]]
 * http://www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com/video/podcast/episode3_flotsam.m4v
 * http://thefishknowthesecret.com/logs/
 * Sector 7 by David Wiesner
 * Achoo by Mercer Mayer
 * Tuesday by David Wiesner
 * Mysteries of Harris Burdick by Chris Van Allsburg
 * Zoom by Istvan Banyai
 * Re-zoom by Istvan Banyai

**The Interview....**

 * Interview Styles - Handout [[file:interview_styles.pdf]]
 * Training Module DVD clip
 * Interview Styles (The Interview)
 * Order of the Star Spangled Student
 * Ice
 * What do you think is important when preparing for an interview? When conducting an interview?
 * Interview Tips - Handout [[file:interview_tips.pdf]]
 * [[file:Conduct Interview.ppt]]
 * [[file:Interview+Techniques.ppt]]
 * Classroom Interview Topics -
 * Study scientists that discovered cures (microorganisms)
 * Scientific Process in an interview style - before and after experiment/demonstration
 * Math procedure
 * Interview principal, teacher, kids for new students coming to school
 * Interviews to write a newspaper
 * Students take on role of famous person to be interviewed regarding contributions
 * Interview teachers/students for end of year slide show (give advice for kids for next year)
 * Heirarchy and social systems - interview people from different social classes/time periods
 * Interview older family members for past traditions/experiences
 * Every child is an expert at something
 * PC/Mac commercial - one kid a noun, one a verb, adjectives, adverbs, etc.
 * Two characters from a book - protagonist and antagonist
 * How To....
 * Higher Level Thinking Questions (books from Kagan)
 * Cinderella, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible,...., Sylvester and the Magic Pebble, The Cay, etc.
 * Practice various interview styles with the cameras.
 * Tips and Tricks...
 * Wait until the interview subject is done talking before asking the next question. Don't respond verbally when the subject is speaking.
 * Don't hesitate to interrupt the interview to address technical issues. It might be your only chance for the interview!
 * As a back-up to your paper release forms, have the interviewee talk into the camera stating and spelling his/her name and that he/she gives permission to use the interview in the project. For students under 18, you'll need parent permission.
 * Prepare questions to ask subject, but also be prepared to deviate as needed.

**Introduction to Stop Animation**
**Reminder: Please bring your digital camera next week with a charged battery.
 * View stop animation videos
 * Get into production groups to discuss stop animation project for next session
 * Decide on necessary materials/props
 * Begin storyboard

