Video Production Model

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Lesson Plan Industry Sector
Arts, Media & Entertainment

Lesson Plan Originally Created By: Anne Bown-Crawford

This Means This This Means That Part 1

Part of Unit: Basic Narrative Production

Lesson Plan Overview / Details

Semiotics, also called semiotic studies or semiology, is the study of cultural sign processes ( semiosis), analogy, metaphor, signification and communication, signs and symbols.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semiotics.

Semiotics is the theory of signs - gestures, facial expressions, slogans, graffiti, music, body language, drawings, food, rituals, clothes, paintings, sculpture, poetry, design, and marketing, to name just a few examples.

This lesson is designed to give the students a better understanding of how images are contextual.

"Semiotics is the study of cultural sign processes ( semiosis), analogy, metaphor, signification and communication,  signs and  symbols."  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semiotics

Semiotics is the theory of signs - gestures, facial expressions, slogans, graffiti, music, body language, drawings, painting, poetry, design, and marketing.  But signs are not isolated, they are contextual.  They are related to the culture and social structure they are used within.

This lesson leads into a project where the students will work in pairs to create their own video "Words" video piece.  The video will be shot with a pocket camera, such as a good mobile phone camera or Flip camera, edited, and uploaded to the Web for assessment (and our entertainment!).

Lesson Time: 140-180 minutes

Radio Lab "Words" video
6 Minutes
What's obvious might not be obvious!
10 Minutes
How should we communicate danger to future generations?
15 - 20 Minutes
"Words" redux
6 Minutes
Terminology
15 Minutes
re:Words
15 - 20 Minutes
slide show conceptualizing
60 - 90 Minutes
individual slide show critique
30 Minutes
Words in a team
20 Minutes

Objectives and Goals

  • 1. To familiarize the students with the idea of images being contextual in nature.
  • 2. To help students gain an understanding that people may have different perceptions of an image within the same cultural/social context.
  • 3. To have students understand the terms/vocabulary associated with understanding the contextual nature of images. (see attached document)
  • 4. To help students brainstorm conceptually for themselves and in a group.
  • 5. Students will become better at articulating the concepts behind their artworks.
  • 6. Students will become familiar with the use of time-based media to create contemporary artworks.
  • 7. To help students learn how to decode another artist's creative process.
  • 8. Students will become more familiar with presentation tools and their ability to create continuity via templates and transitions.

Activities in this Lesson

  • Radio Lab "Words" - Hooks / Set

    Show the video piece produced by Radio Lab titled "Words".  Just ask them to watch without talking or taking notes.

    If your group is particularly thoughtful, ask them to listen to the podcast relating to this video the night before.

    • "Words" by Radio Lab [ Watch Video ] [ Download Original Video ] Words have the power to shape the way we think and feel. In this stunning video, filmmakers Will Hoffman and Daniel Mercadante bandy visual wordplay into a moving exploration of language set to an original score by Keith Kenniff.
    • radiolab091010.mp3 [ Download ] podcast of radio spot supporting the video "Words".
  • What's obvious might not be obvious!

    Have the students consider the definition of Semiotics written in the course overview. 

    Then have them consider the following:  (write on white board)

     

    Stop means Stop

    Apple means Apple

    Crown means Crown

     

    Then compare with this:

    Stop means Danger

    Apple means Healthy

    Crown means King

     

    Then brainstorm with the group this fill in the blanks:

    Stop means __________

    Apple means _________

    Crown means __________

     

     

  • How should we communicate danger to future generations? - Check Understanding

    Project the attached danger sign.  Ask the students to imagine that they have to tell someone living 2,000 years from now about a danger that exists today.  Commercial nuclear reprocessing has ensured that thousands of gallons of radioactive liquid will be active in thousands, perhaps hundreds of thousands, of years to come.  And if we don't tell future generations where and how we stored this waste, they may be exposed to it without suspecting that it is highly toxic.

    Have the students consider the design carefully and, first, think about whether or not it will be effective in the future. 

    Ask them to sketch a danger sign for radioactive material that might be more effective.

     

     

    (Use attached jpeg.)

  • "Words" redux - Guided Practice

    Watch the Radio Lab video again.  This time have the students watch for meaning and write down all of the words that the images are referring to.  The list should be in written in their sketchbooks. 

  • Terminology - Independent Practice

    Talk about the words on this vocab list.  Instructions to students:

    Research the meaning for each word and write definitions in your sketchbook.  Use of old fashioned dictionaries or digital resources is appropriate.  Feel free to digitally define the list in a word processor and print out the page for your sketchbook.

    semiotics

    metaphor

    simile

    irony

    continuity

    discontinuity

     

  • re:Words - Check Understanding

    Instructions to students:

    Go to the websites of the film makers Will Hoffman and Daniel Mercadante:

    http://www.everynone.com/

    http://www.everyoneforevernow.com/

    Look at the other work of these artists.  Make notes about what their conceptual framework is for at least 2 of their other pieces.  Describe their framework in your sketchbook.  Include the URL, title, date of making, and your ideas about what their intent/concept was in their artmaking. 

    Be prepared to have your investigation checked by next class period.

  • slide show conceptualizing - Check Understanding

    Instructions to students:

    You will produce a Keynote/Powerpoint slide show that is similar conceptually to Hoffman and Mercadante's video "Words". 

    - First brainstorm and create a list of at least 8 words that:

    Change meaning as their context changes at least 3 times

    - Then search the web for images that match up to your words, and each of the contextual instances within which they are being used, and save then into a folder for this activity.

    - Using the images you collected create a slide show in either Keynote or Powerpoint.  Pay attention to composition of each slide and how it fits into the whole piece.  Pay close attention to transitions and their duration.

    After you create your slide show, label the file clearly with your name and email it to me (the teacher).

    Pieces will be viewed by the class either via a blog or with a projector in the classroom.

  • Words in a team - Projects

    Instructions to students:

    Find a partner that you will produce a video with that is similar conceptually to Hoffman and Mercadante's video "Words".  Each team member should compare their Keynote/Powerpoint pieces.  Then each team will brainstorm and create a list between the two of you of at least 8 words that:

    Change meaning as their context changes at least 3 times

    Create your list, along with both of your names and email it to me (the teacher).

     

  • other resources to investigate - Other

    Books:

    - This Means This This Means That  A User's Guide to Semiotics

    Sean Hall
    Laurence King Publishing, London 2007

    - Graphic Design The New Basic

    Ellen Lupton and Jennifer Cole Phillips
    Princeton Architectual Press, New York 2008

    Online:


    - ADOBE DIGITAL VIDEO CURRICULUM
    http://www.adobe.com/cfusion/entitlement/index.cfm?e=digital_video


    - LYNDA.COM ONLINE TRAINING LIBRARY
    Premiere Pro CS5 Essential Training
    Vimeo Essential Training
    Creative Inspirations Documentaries
    2011 SBIFF Producer's Panel: Movers and Shakers

    for windows-

    http://youtubedownload.altervista.org/

    for Mac:

    http://download.cnet.com/ClipGrab/3000-2071_4-11459614.html

    http://abc-et-cetera.tumblr.com/

    tumblr.com

Assessment

Assessment Types:
Projects, Writing Samples, Journals, Observations,

Students will be assessed in a formative manner for this assignment via class discussion, writing samples in their sketchbooks/journals, and via critique.  A clear rubric will be used to assess how well they understand the concepts in their final slide presentation.

  • this means that part 1assessment.pdf this means that part 1assessment.pdf [ Download ]