Part of Lesson Plan: The Door Scene

Activity Overview / Details

Lesson two of the process asks students to draw on the ideas generated by the class discussions at the end of Step One about communicating more clearly and effectively. Introducing the concept of a storyboard at this point as a means of communication and graphic organization challenges students to put down on paper the specific visual ideas they want to show in their scenes, by individually story boarding their shots to create the tension required by the script. They then share these with their group, deciding together on the series of shots that best tell the story.

Step Two aligns with principles of pre-writing and writing by having students elaborate, extend and explore ideas, organizing them into visual sentences and paragraphs. Ideas are first translated to paper, requiring elements traditionally associated with the writing process, such as organization, voice, grammar and fluency.

For lesson 2, there will be no camera work and groups will not need to leave the classroom. Each group should work at their own computer for their storyboard devlopment. You can either let them use a program like Celtx (availiable free at celtx.com) or you can pass out blank storyboard templates like the ones I will attach.

Each group must try to finish a complete storyboard of their idea including their new surprise ending. Reinforce the idea of including as many details as possible including specific shots and screen direction. Tell them that they will be filming this tomorrow in class.