Part of Lesson Plan: The Door Scene

Activity Overview / Details

Step One of the process engages the student in a principled exploration of
directed visual storytelling without any prior instruction or information. The step
simply asks the student to pick up a camera and communicate fear and
suspense. The group discussion and review of the projects result in a dialogue
in which students start to access and utilize prior knowledge about visual
language and grammar, as they discuss what is and is not working about the
project.

As a result, the class as a whole begins to define criteria for what is good
visual storytelling and what is not. Students begin to see the difference between
trying to tell a story in one continuous shot—as though it were a long run-on
sentence—and using shorter, more specific shots that construct a scene as they
would construct a paragraph

Step One aligns with the writing process by engaging students in a pre-writing
exercise with an activity that causes the writer to think about the subject,
organizing his thoughts before he begins writing. Students also identify and
outline essential elements of their story by providing the who, what, where,
when, why and how.

When beginning Lesson 1 the instructor should pre-select the student teams. Try to make each group of 4 as equitable as possible by placing students according to their own personal strengths.  In each group make sure to place at least one student who you think has the qualities of a "director" and group leader. However, each group will continuously evolve throught the 5 lessons and natural leaders will arise and help direct the group.

After your students are in their assigned groups, you will give them each a hard copy of the Step 1 directions. Go over this with the entire class before releasing them and clarify any steps which they do not understand. Each group should now know their assigned group roles and assigned door for filming. Remind them to plan and act qucikly in order to finish the lesson on time each day.