Drama Home // Jordan
Daze // Video Project Plan // Storyboard
// Script // Design Plot
// iMovie // Rubrics
JORDAN
DAZE - An iMovie Soap Opera
Brief Overview of Lesson:
Melodrama is so prevalent in the narrative forms of our culture, that
it is essential that students of theatre understand the genre and know
firsthand its structure and acting style. In this project they will create
a video, using iMovie, that replicates the form and style of melodrama,
working as well on acting skills and understanding plot elements.
Enduring Understanding:
Melodrama is 85% of the narrative we see in film & TV, as well as
in a great deal of literature, so it's useful and important to understand
this particular theatre genre.
Essential Questions:
- What makes for "good story"?
- What can we learn from narrative structures?
- Where do we see melodrama?
Topical Understandings:
- Melodrama is the dominant theatrical genre in our world.
- Creating our own melodrama helps understand the genre.
- Cooperation is necessary for good results.
Topical Questions:
- What are theatre genres?
- What are the characteristics of Melodrama?
- Why is iMovie a useful writing tool for melodrama?
Embedded:
1. Video Project Plan, to describe the overall project and foresee needs and challenges
2. Storyboard, to lay out the visual script
3. A written script showing all dialogue
4. Set/Props/Costumes/Music plot
Final Performance Assessment:
1. Video presentation
2. Self-reflection & evaluation
Activities:
Day One:
Discuss project by opening with EQs, leading into discussion of theatre genres & specifically melodrama. Ask them to identify examples from pop culture that are melodrama. Then watch video clip of All My Children and discuss the elements of melodrama that are evident in the clip.
Divide into groups of 5. Talk about the specific task of creating the iMovie and how they will go about it. Show examples.
Day Two:
Each group must complete a Video Project Plan and clear it with instructor before going on to Storyboarding.
Storyboard and scripting begins.
Days Three, Four:
Finish storyboard and script. Each group presents storyboard to class-- chance for fine-tuning.
Day Five:
Begin rehearsal, turn in Set/Costume/Prop/Music plot.
Days Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten:
Rehearsing. Videotaping & creating iMovie.
Days Eleven, Twelve:
Watch iMovies in class (Jordan CineArts). Stop after each video for critical assessment, self-reflection, & accolades. Students complete performance rubric for themselves & other groups.
STANDARDS!
Primary Standard being met:
Grades 7-8
2.4 Create believable characters, environments, and actions.
Related Standards:
Grades 7-8
1.2 Identify dramatic elements within a script using the vocabulary of theatre, such as foreshadowing, conflict, rising action, catharsis, and denouement.
4.4 Design and apply appropriate criteria for evaluating
effective acting.
5.5 Cooperate with others by contributing ideas, respecting others, contributions,
and working effectively in ensemble.
