Class Activities

Below you will find a list of the daily class schedule:
5/5: "Memento Mori" notes and discussion (see link below for short story text)
5/8-16: Film Noir intro., Memento viewing w/notes and discussion
5/17: Memento Test or Film Review Writing
5/18 - 5/24: Film presentation planning
5/26 - 6/1: Presentations
6/2 - 8: Senior Speeches

Homework
Below you will find a list of the daily homework due dates:

3/24: Film Script and Planning Project Due
4/18: Read Tim O'Brien's "Sweetheart of the Song Tra Bong" from The Things They Carried ​
5/4: Test
5/5: Read "Memento Mori"
​5/19: Film Review Due
5/25: Begin Final Presentations
​6/5: Begin  Sr. Speeches

Memento Mori Text

Course Outline

Projects
​Film Review
Write a review of:
The Shawshank Redemption or Any Film from class

Stephen King has written a story or redemption where two inmates endure decades in prison, while trying to desperately hold onto their personal identities. In your film review, describe whether Frank Darabont successfully follows King's message. (You may choose to also review Minority Report, Platoon or Memento.)

In your review you should include evidence/quotes from at least two other film reviews. Below, there are multiple reviews posted. Read these reviews and use them as an example to follow. All film reviews must include cinematic elements and whether the message of the film is accomplished through these techniques.

All work must be:
2-3 pages in length
Size 12 Times New Roman Font
1 inch margins
2 Outside articles must be included
MLA Format w/a Works Cited page must be added
ALL REVIEWS MUST BE SUBMITTED TO www.turnitin.com (see below)

Film Script & Planning Project
Objective:
The creation of an idea and planning to shoot a film takes countless hours of preparation by many individuals. For this project, it is up to you to get your vision of “The Minority Report” into production. In order to do this, you will have to develop a core idea for a plot, create a screenplay and storyboard one of the scenes.

The following elements must be included in the project:
1.  Treatment: provide a basic overview of the plot and message in the film.
2.  Screenplay: write a portion (scene) which you believe provides a great moment of tension in your plot.
         Screenplay Generator: This link will help you to format the scripted scene for your screenplay.
3.  Storyboard: create a detailed shot-by-shot storyboard, which should include at least 8 frames, that shows how your vision for the scene would look on film.

Remember:
1.  You may adapt your story and screenplay to fit your vision as long as it stays true to the message in the short story.
2.  Provide as much detail as possible to get your ideas across in order to show characterization, setting and conflict.
3.  The artwork should be to your ability and the storyboard should include a short description under each frame.
4.  The project should be proof read, revised, typed and appear to be professional in nature. Only the storyboard can be hand drawn.
5.  All creative option may be explored, especially if you would like to include a digital version of your storyboard.

Film Message & Scene Presentation
Objective:
All directors start with an idea or message which he/she would like to communicate to the audience. Many times, these ideas are meant to convey a message about society. You must choose a film which we have watched this year and present to the class one message which is created in the film.

The following elements must be included in the project:
1.     Illustrate how the main idea or message is present in the film and why it is important to society.  In
        other words, what does the audience take away from the film?
2.     In pairs, each group must show one scene to the class and discuss how cinematic elements help to
        communicate this message.
3.     In pairs, partners must create a 8-10 minute presentation which has a structured introduction with
        main idea, body and conclusion.
4.     Each presentation must include at least two references to published film reviews.

Remember:
1.     8-10 minutes total
2.     Structure must be evident
3.     Film reviews must be cited in your presentation
4.     Only one scene from the film can be used, so make sure that it illustrates the main point of the film
5.     Both team members must be involved in the presentation

Film Review Samples
ReelViews on Stand By Me
New York Times on Platoon
Roger Ebert on Platoon
New York Times on Stand By Me
Roger Ebert on Minority Report
New York Times on Minority Report
Roger Ebert on The Shawshank Redemption
New York Times on The Shawshank Redemption
Rolling Stone on The Shawshank Redemption

Interesting Traumatic Brain Injury Article 

ALL Film Reviews MUST BE SUBMITTED TO:
   www.turnitin.com
Class ID: 15369473
Enrollment Key: english12