Reno Teen Stories
Each of you has a story to share. Each of you has had something happen to you in your life that is interesting and different. This is your opportunity to share your story. As we proceed through this class, we will be learning a variety of new techniques for filming. We will also learn about ways to tell our own stories. We will journal about our lives, brainstorm about the events that have shaped who we are today, interview important people in our lives, interview ourselves, and put all of this into a short documentary film that focuses on one group of teenagers: us. When you leave class, you will often be asked to take a camera with you to document your life outside of school. The camera is your responsibility. It is imperative that you take care of the equipment. Assignments will be posted on this site for you to complete both inside and outside the classroom environment. By the end of the class, you should have a 5-10 minute composition that will be a part of a larger film including the stories of your classmates.
Upon your return to class from filmmaking, the first thing that we will do as a class is to watch your footage and discuss. This process is meant as an idea gathering opportunity. Some students have more experience with film than others, so we will use each other to learn what makes the best stories.
Upon your return to class from filmmaking, the first thing that we will do as a class is to watch your footage and discuss. This process is meant as an idea gathering opportunity. Some students have more experience with film than others, so we will use each other to learn what makes the best stories.
1: My Life Story Brainstorm
Think about your life. Begin this process by creating a timeline of events that includes everything that has happened to you in your life of importance. When you think about what important items to include, begin by thinking of events that caused a change in your life. Now, a change can be something for the better, but it can also be something for the worse. Begin by creating a fairly basic timeline, but remember that we will fill in the gaps of these events as we go. This will be the start of the selection process for stories about you.
Due: 7/6/10
Due: 7/6/10
2: Choosing My Story
Look over your timeline. Choose 2-3 events that you think are interesting stories to tell. More than interesting, these events should describe something essential about you. Think about how you responded to the event, moved forward, and grew as a person. Now, on a new sheet of paper, begin to think about all of the details of the event: the setting, characters involved, details of the event. Create a spider diagram for the event.
After looking at the diagrams of these events, decide who you could interview for the event. What locations could you film? How will you set up the interviews?
Due: 7/8/10
After looking at the diagrams of these events, decide who you could interview for the event. What locations could you film? How will you set up the interviews?
Due: 7/8/10