Video Essay
Rob, 3-time Bachman Award Winner!
Notice: Late work on the film project will incur a 50% grade deduction.
Journals Due Monday 15 April.
Script due Wednesday 17 April.
* Group will choose script to revise, and I will return the chosen script with notes by Friday the 19th. Filming can begin on Friday the 19th; final copies of the film, uploaded online and saved to a DVDR disc, are due at the start of class on Friday 03 May. In order to have time to edit and save the film, all filming should be completed the weekend prior to the due date.
Annotated Bibliography due Monday 22 April.
Video Essay (Film) Due Friday 03 May.
Video Essay Presentations will take place during the final exam period.
What would Big Daddy or Brick say about gay rights? What would Willy or Linda Loman say about credit card debt or workers' unions? What would Sammy or Jig say about womens' rights? What would the older waiter or the younger waiter say about euthanasia? What would Whitman say about global warming?
This video essay allows you to explore those possibilities. You will choose a topic-- a relevant social issue-- and be put into groups. Each group member will write a potential film script. The characters from your script must be based on the characters and authors we studied in this class. You must research your issue first. The plot of your skit must put the characters in a situation in which they are arguing a side of the issue. There are many creative possibilities here! Different characters may argue different sides of the issue. You may frame the setting of your skit based on a story you read, or even a popular TV show or movie. The setting can be from any period in history, though most choose modern times. The characters should CLEARLY reflect the characters from the stories or authors, but they do not have to be those characters (they can, but they don't have to). For example, "Big Daddy" might become "Big Larry" in your skit; rather than a plantation owner, he may own a company (like maybe he invented an app or farmville??:). Or, he may indeed own a plantation-- being literal is okay. The important things are that the name stays similar, and the characteristics stay true to the character. For example, Big Daddy would be tolerant and bossy; Willy Loman would be weak and unsuccessful; Brick would be an alcoholic haunted by his closeted sexuality. The "crux" of the characters should not change.
Look, the point of this project is to show what you've learned this semester. So, allow yourself to be creative. You can incorporate anything you've learned this semester, and if you wish to deviate from my specific directions in any way, make sure you ask for my input. Sometimes I can guide you in such as way that you can do what you want to do while still meeting these requirements.
Once all the scripts are written, each group will choose the best one. You will then film your skit. We will choose a director, producer, costume designer, set decorator, cast, etc. You have creative license with the "film". Some of you will have fabulous programs to edit with; others will have basic technology. The quality of the filming is not what is important-- the creativity and treatment of the topic is. The film will be graded on the following criteria:
Length: 7-10 minutes. Longer with approval.
Research: Each group must find at least 5 research articles on their issue. An annotated bibliography of those articles is due with the video essay. The characters must quote the research at least 3 times within the video essay. In addition, you can include quotes on the screen from the literature and/or research; this usually has impact. Each person in the group must contribute at least one article to the bibliography, but the format will be group graded, so rely on each other for revisions. Put your name next to the citation that YOU contributed within the bibliography. If you do not contribute a cited/annotated article on the issue, then you will not get credit for this portion of the project grade.
Participation: Each group member must participate, and everyone must have a visible part on film.
Characters: The characters in the film must CLEARLY reflect characters/authors studied in class. I will be looking for references to the stories, plays, poems, etc. If you can directly quote something we read and make it fit into your film, then great! I should see a variety of characters referenced (poets, plays, stories, projects).
You should have at least 1 character from the short stories, 1 from the plays, 1 from the poetry, and 1 from the research projects. Exceptions can be made with INSTRUCTOR APPROVAL. Authors can also serve as characters.
Setting/Costumes: Must be cohesive. I must be able to tell visually what concept you are going for.
Issue: I must see a fair treatment of the issue. Comedy is GREAT, but the comedy shouldn't overshadow the seriousness of the issue you are presenting. It might be a good idea to have your characters reference research articles pertaining to the issue in their dialogue.
Opening/Closing/Music: There should be a clear opening with titles. If you don't have a program that does this, then use posters! Any music used in the film must be credited in the closing credit reel. Cite according to MLA standards! :) All actors and helpers must be credited in the closing as well.
Plot: Must be clear and cohesive. I should see a beginning (introduction), middle (body), and end (conclusion). Flow!
Acting: Don't be shy. Let loose, have fun, and make some memories!
Money: Do not spend more than $20 per person on this project.
Each group will also come up with a production company name and logo that should be featured in the credits of their film.
The video essay is worth 100 points. In addition, extra credit will be given in various catagories for this assignment. I call this "The Bachman Awards".
Length: 10 (No less than 7 minutes-- points will be deducted for "wasted" time "fillers"). Films can run longer. There will no doubt be groups that want to go above and beyond to "go for the gold"... don't lag behind. Strive for an 8-10 minute video with good content! You may not go over 12 minutes.
Setting/Costumes: 10
Participation--visible on screen: 10
Characters: 20 -- Must clearly reference at LEAST 4 characters from the readings. ALL characters within the skit must reference characters in the literature that we read. One must be from the short stories, one from the plays, one from the poetry, one from the research projects; authors can be characters as well.
Plot Creativity: 10
Titles/Closing/Music: 5
Research within film: 15
Direct Quotes from stories/poems we've covered: 10 [In addition, the film must reference the concepts we have studied all semester from beginning to end]
Overall Creativity Score: 10
**Points may be deducted for lack of participation or an imbalance in participation.
The SCRIPT portion of this grade will be separate; everyone must turn in their OWN script. This is worth 50 points. The script should be formatted as a script with a cover sheet, setting/character/synopsis notes, and at least 3 pages of dialogue (so 4 pages + a cover sheet). The dialogue must unravel a story based on the issue your group is given to research, and the characters incorporated must be from the literature you've studied in this class. You must write dialogue for at least 4 characters (1 from short stories, 1 from poetry, 1 from plays, 1 from research paper projects). How well you represent the characters and demonstrate an understanding of what we studied this semester will make up for the bulk of your grade on the script. See script example format below.
The group annotated bibliography is worth 50 points. Each person in the group should contribute at least one cited & annotated article for the bibliography. See details above.
The presentation for this project is required.
Therefore, this project is worth 200+ points total.
There will be 3 or 4 groups. Each group will have a different topic.
1. Addiction as a Disease (a commentary on the causes/effects of alcohol/drug and/or other addictions and how society does/should view addiction; should insurance view addiction as an illness & cover treatment?). --This may be a commentary on "angst".
Brick/Big Daddy/Old Man/Jim Carroll/Hunger Artist/Rimbaud&Verlaine/etc.
For creative purposes, you could also treat the Hunger Artist's aversion to food as an addiction (addicted to starvation), Biff's compulsive stealing as an addiction, and Neil McCormick's hustling/Brian Lackey's alien obsession as addictions, etc.
2. Gay Rights (should gays and lesbians have the right to marry, adopt, have equal protection under the law? Where is America on the debate right now?).
Brick/Big Daddy/Neil McCormick/Sammy/Rimbaud/Ginsberg/Whitman/characters from "The Lottery"-- (b/c a lot of the taboo is a matter of tradition)/etc. -- This may be a commentary on tradition, progress, or existentialism.
3. Suicide/Euthanasia (should elderly or sick/dying people have the right to legally end their lives-- doctor assisted suicide; where are we on the legality of this; can tie in to suicide in general and the difference between the two; Do people have a right to take their own life? Where does/should society stand on this issue?). -- This may be a commentary on death...
Big Daddy/Willy/Tessie Hutchinson/the Old Man/Older and Younger Waiter/etc.
4. Consumerism (How does "consumerism", or "commercialism", or even more specifically, "overconsumption", effect society economically and environmentally? What changes need to be made as far as consumption?) -- This may be a commentary on The American Dream.
Elisa/Willy/Biff/Big Daddy/Tyler Durden/Walt Whitman/Chris McCandless/etc.
[We use option 5 when we have 5 groups]: 5. Sexism (Explore ways in which sexism [ rejudice or discrimination based on sex; or conditions or attitudes that foster stereotypes of social roles based on sex.[1] Sexism is a form of discrimination or devaluation based on a person's sex, with such attitudes being based on beliefs in traditional stereotypes of different roles of the sexes] is alive and well in the 21st century. This could be in the academic world, in the upbringing of children, in the workplace, etc.] What would the characters we studied have to say about this issue? You can also delve into male/female stereotypes and how hard it is when a person does not fit into those traditional gender roles. Elisa/Sammy/Maggie/Linda/Brick/Jack/Brian/Ginsberg/Whitman...
Some of your casebook readings can work as part of your bibliography, particularly the ones I assigned that were not in your book. Remember "Juliet Schor"? She could work for the consumerism project.
Remember the philosophies we studied-- you can incorporate them as well: Feminism, Existentialism, Nihilism, Transcendentalism, etc. Also, remember Plato's Allegory and Marilyn Manson's article... you can incorporate them too. I would love to see Plato show up or even Manson in your films!
You can relate our ongoing discussion of ENLIGHTENMENT (red pill or blue pill?) to all of the topics above.
Research for the bibliography will come from the library databases. Use these search terms to find relevant research.
Search for 1.
"alcoholism", "drug abuse", "addiction"; "treatment for addiction"; "insurance and addiction"
2. "gay marriage", "civil unions", "gay rights";
3. "euthanasia", "end of life rights", "doctor assisted suicide"; "suicide statistics"
4. "credit card debt", "overconsumption", "environmental effects of overconsumption", "economic effects of overconsumption"
5. Sexism-- gender inequality, discrimination, patriarchy, feminism
** You can view the winning video essay from 2011 below.
Recap of the critique this video received:
Negative: First character, Nate, was not used enough in the film. There was no character from the short stories represented, but they got my permission to use two characters from the plays instead. Character of "Walt" might have had a beard to more directly relate to his character.
Positive: Great story line that displayed knowledge of both the texts and philosophies we studied this semester. Obvious allusions to characters and stories we studied. Directly quoted lines from the literature-- particularly that stanza from a Whitman poem at the end-- it was very well incorporated. Nice incorporation of research on their issue. Good film quality-- it looks good. Great use of music-- music always adds a tone to your film. Although, I have seen videos that used music even better than was done in this video. Great group effort-- they worked well as a team and were excited to do the project... it showed.
Journals Due Monday 15 April.
Script due Wednesday 17 April.
* Group will choose script to revise, and I will return the chosen script with notes by Friday the 19th. Filming can begin on Friday the 19th; final copies of the film, uploaded online and saved to a DVDR disc, are due at the start of class on Friday 03 May. In order to have time to edit and save the film, all filming should be completed the weekend prior to the due date.
Annotated Bibliography due Monday 22 April.
Video Essay (Film) Due Friday 03 May.
Video Essay Presentations will take place during the final exam period.
What would Big Daddy or Brick say about gay rights? What would Willy or Linda Loman say about credit card debt or workers' unions? What would Sammy or Jig say about womens' rights? What would the older waiter or the younger waiter say about euthanasia? What would Whitman say about global warming?
This video essay allows you to explore those possibilities. You will choose a topic-- a relevant social issue-- and be put into groups. Each group member will write a potential film script. The characters from your script must be based on the characters and authors we studied in this class. You must research your issue first. The plot of your skit must put the characters in a situation in which they are arguing a side of the issue. There are many creative possibilities here! Different characters may argue different sides of the issue. You may frame the setting of your skit based on a story you read, or even a popular TV show or movie. The setting can be from any period in history, though most choose modern times. The characters should CLEARLY reflect the characters from the stories or authors, but they do not have to be those characters (they can, but they don't have to). For example, "Big Daddy" might become "Big Larry" in your skit; rather than a plantation owner, he may own a company (like maybe he invented an app or farmville??:). Or, he may indeed own a plantation-- being literal is okay. The important things are that the name stays similar, and the characteristics stay true to the character. For example, Big Daddy would be tolerant and bossy; Willy Loman would be weak and unsuccessful; Brick would be an alcoholic haunted by his closeted sexuality. The "crux" of the characters should not change.
Look, the point of this project is to show what you've learned this semester. So, allow yourself to be creative. You can incorporate anything you've learned this semester, and if you wish to deviate from my specific directions in any way, make sure you ask for my input. Sometimes I can guide you in such as way that you can do what you want to do while still meeting these requirements.
Once all the scripts are written, each group will choose the best one. You will then film your skit. We will choose a director, producer, costume designer, set decorator, cast, etc. You have creative license with the "film". Some of you will have fabulous programs to edit with; others will have basic technology. The quality of the filming is not what is important-- the creativity and treatment of the topic is. The film will be graded on the following criteria:
Length: 7-10 minutes. Longer with approval.
Research: Each group must find at least 5 research articles on their issue. An annotated bibliography of those articles is due with the video essay. The characters must quote the research at least 3 times within the video essay. In addition, you can include quotes on the screen from the literature and/or research; this usually has impact. Each person in the group must contribute at least one article to the bibliography, but the format will be group graded, so rely on each other for revisions. Put your name next to the citation that YOU contributed within the bibliography. If you do not contribute a cited/annotated article on the issue, then you will not get credit for this portion of the project grade.
Participation: Each group member must participate, and everyone must have a visible part on film.
Characters: The characters in the film must CLEARLY reflect characters/authors studied in class. I will be looking for references to the stories, plays, poems, etc. If you can directly quote something we read and make it fit into your film, then great! I should see a variety of characters referenced (poets, plays, stories, projects).
You should have at least 1 character from the short stories, 1 from the plays, 1 from the poetry, and 1 from the research projects. Exceptions can be made with INSTRUCTOR APPROVAL. Authors can also serve as characters.
Setting/Costumes: Must be cohesive. I must be able to tell visually what concept you are going for.
Issue: I must see a fair treatment of the issue. Comedy is GREAT, but the comedy shouldn't overshadow the seriousness of the issue you are presenting. It might be a good idea to have your characters reference research articles pertaining to the issue in their dialogue.
Opening/Closing/Music: There should be a clear opening with titles. If you don't have a program that does this, then use posters! Any music used in the film must be credited in the closing credit reel. Cite according to MLA standards! :) All actors and helpers must be credited in the closing as well.
Plot: Must be clear and cohesive. I should see a beginning (introduction), middle (body), and end (conclusion). Flow!
Acting: Don't be shy. Let loose, have fun, and make some memories!
Money: Do not spend more than $20 per person on this project.
Each group will also come up with a production company name and logo that should be featured in the credits of their film.
The video essay is worth 100 points. In addition, extra credit will be given in various catagories for this assignment. I call this "The Bachman Awards".
Length: 10 (No less than 7 minutes-- points will be deducted for "wasted" time "fillers"). Films can run longer. There will no doubt be groups that want to go above and beyond to "go for the gold"... don't lag behind. Strive for an 8-10 minute video with good content! You may not go over 12 minutes.
Setting/Costumes: 10
Participation--visible on screen: 10
Characters: 20 -- Must clearly reference at LEAST 4 characters from the readings. ALL characters within the skit must reference characters in the literature that we read. One must be from the short stories, one from the plays, one from the poetry, one from the research projects; authors can be characters as well.
Plot Creativity: 10
Titles/Closing/Music: 5
Research within film: 15
Direct Quotes from stories/poems we've covered: 10 [In addition, the film must reference the concepts we have studied all semester from beginning to end]
Overall Creativity Score: 10
**Points may be deducted for lack of participation or an imbalance in participation.
The SCRIPT portion of this grade will be separate; everyone must turn in their OWN script. This is worth 50 points. The script should be formatted as a script with a cover sheet, setting/character/synopsis notes, and at least 3 pages of dialogue (so 4 pages + a cover sheet). The dialogue must unravel a story based on the issue your group is given to research, and the characters incorporated must be from the literature you've studied in this class. You must write dialogue for at least 4 characters (1 from short stories, 1 from poetry, 1 from plays, 1 from research paper projects). How well you represent the characters and demonstrate an understanding of what we studied this semester will make up for the bulk of your grade on the script. See script example format below.
The group annotated bibliography is worth 50 points. Each person in the group should contribute at least one cited & annotated article for the bibliography. See details above.
The presentation for this project is required.
Therefore, this project is worth 200+ points total.
There will be 3 or 4 groups. Each group will have a different topic.
1. Addiction as a Disease (a commentary on the causes/effects of alcohol/drug and/or other addictions and how society does/should view addiction; should insurance view addiction as an illness & cover treatment?). --This may be a commentary on "angst".
Brick/Big Daddy/Old Man/Jim Carroll/Hunger Artist/Rimbaud&Verlaine/etc.
For creative purposes, you could also treat the Hunger Artist's aversion to food as an addiction (addicted to starvation), Biff's compulsive stealing as an addiction, and Neil McCormick's hustling/Brian Lackey's alien obsession as addictions, etc.
2. Gay Rights (should gays and lesbians have the right to marry, adopt, have equal protection under the law? Where is America on the debate right now?).
Brick/Big Daddy/Neil McCormick/Sammy/Rimbaud/Ginsberg/Whitman/characters from "The Lottery"-- (b/c a lot of the taboo is a matter of tradition)/etc. -- This may be a commentary on tradition, progress, or existentialism.
3. Suicide/Euthanasia (should elderly or sick/dying people have the right to legally end their lives-- doctor assisted suicide; where are we on the legality of this; can tie in to suicide in general and the difference between the two; Do people have a right to take their own life? Where does/should society stand on this issue?). -- This may be a commentary on death...
Big Daddy/Willy/Tessie Hutchinson/the Old Man/Older and Younger Waiter/etc.
4. Consumerism (How does "consumerism", or "commercialism", or even more specifically, "overconsumption", effect society economically and environmentally? What changes need to be made as far as consumption?) -- This may be a commentary on The American Dream.
Elisa/Willy/Biff/Big Daddy/Tyler Durden/Walt Whitman/Chris McCandless/etc.
[We use option 5 when we have 5 groups]: 5. Sexism (Explore ways in which sexism [ rejudice or discrimination based on sex; or conditions or attitudes that foster stereotypes of social roles based on sex.[1] Sexism is a form of discrimination or devaluation based on a person's sex, with such attitudes being based on beliefs in traditional stereotypes of different roles of the sexes] is alive and well in the 21st century. This could be in the academic world, in the upbringing of children, in the workplace, etc.] What would the characters we studied have to say about this issue? You can also delve into male/female stereotypes and how hard it is when a person does not fit into those traditional gender roles. Elisa/Sammy/Maggie/Linda/Brick/Jack/Brian/Ginsberg/Whitman...
Some of your casebook readings can work as part of your bibliography, particularly the ones I assigned that were not in your book. Remember "Juliet Schor"? She could work for the consumerism project.
Remember the philosophies we studied-- you can incorporate them as well: Feminism, Existentialism, Nihilism, Transcendentalism, etc. Also, remember Plato's Allegory and Marilyn Manson's article... you can incorporate them too. I would love to see Plato show up or even Manson in your films!
You can relate our ongoing discussion of ENLIGHTENMENT (red pill or blue pill?) to all of the topics above.
Research for the bibliography will come from the library databases. Use these search terms to find relevant research.
Search for 1.
"alcoholism", "drug abuse", "addiction"; "treatment for addiction"; "insurance and addiction"
2. "gay marriage", "civil unions", "gay rights";
3. "euthanasia", "end of life rights", "doctor assisted suicide"; "suicide statistics"
4. "credit card debt", "overconsumption", "environmental effects of overconsumption", "economic effects of overconsumption"
5. Sexism-- gender inequality, discrimination, patriarchy, feminism
** You can view the winning video essay from 2011 below.
Recap of the critique this video received:
Negative: First character, Nate, was not used enough in the film. There was no character from the short stories represented, but they got my permission to use two characters from the plays instead. Character of "Walt" might have had a beard to more directly relate to his character.
Positive: Great story line that displayed knowledge of both the texts and philosophies we studied this semester. Obvious allusions to characters and stories we studied. Directly quoted lines from the literature-- particularly that stanza from a Whitman poem at the end-- it was very well incorporated. Nice incorporation of research on their issue. Good film quality-- it looks good. Great use of music-- music always adds a tone to your film. Although, I have seen videos that used music even better than was done in this video. Great group effort-- they worked well as a team and were excited to do the project... it showed.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=3960597052167&set=vb.1197533359&&theater
Above is the winning video from Spring 2012.
More great projects:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jry9Z0Rukiw&feature=youtu.be
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1jGO0VoQTU
Film Project Contract:
Each group will turn in this contract, signed, as well as a report indicating who lived up to their contractual obligations, who didn't, and who went above and beyond for the project. Include a description of what each group member contributed to the project. This report will serve as our peer grade for this assignment and will be signed off by each member of the group. I expect honesty within each report.
BASIC FILM AGREEMENTS
1. UNDERLYING RIGHTS:
I, _______________ consent to the director using my screenplay for production if so be the vote of the cast and crew. I will charge no fee for such usage. The copyright will be transferred to the whole cast/crew upon production of the script into a film.
2. CAST CONTRACTS: I, _______________, ____________, __________,_________, &_____________ agree to appear in this film. I will work a maximum of ___________ (days/hours), for no fee. My name will be credited in the credit reel of the film.
3. PRODUCERS AGREEMENT:
I, ______________ accept the role of Producer for this film. I agree to ensure that everything on set runs smoothly, that the production comes in on time and on budget. I agree to ensure that the film makes it to screening on the day/time it is assigned to do so.
4. DIRECTORS AGREEMENT: I, ________________ am the director of this film. I accept responsibility in assigning roles, making sure everyone is on set, setting production dates/times, delegating roles so as to create a “vision” for this project, maintaining contact with all cast and crew throughout the production time. I also agree to ensure that the final product is delivered on time, and I agree to take no fee for this role.
5. FACILITIES AGREEMENT:
I intend to use ________________facility to shoot this film. If a permit be needed to film here, then I agree to obtain one.
4. CREW AGREEMENT:
Everyone in your crew (not the cast) who gathers props, makes props, handles the camera, prompts the actors with their scripts, appears as an extra, etc. must sign here agreeing to fulfill their roles for no other payment but mention in the credit reel of the film.
_________________,_________________,________________,_________
5. STOCK FOOTAGE/MUSIC AGREEMENT:
I, __________________ & __________________ (Director and Producer) agree to document credit for all music, or footage not shot by the cast and crew, used in the production of this film.
6. COMPLETION BOND AGREEMENT:
I, _______________, _______________, &______________ (everyone but the Director/Producer) agree to ensure completion of this film and that it gets to screening on time.
7. PRODUCER'S INSURANCE PACKAGE:
I, ________________, _____________,____________,agree that the Producer & Director is not liable for any harm that may come from the film.
8. MEALS: If production takes place during typical lunch (11-1) or dinner (6-8) hours, then ______________________ is responsible for providing lunch to the cast and crew. We will allow __________ minutes for food consumption. Signed, __________________________ (Producer’s name).
9. PRE-PRODUCTION : I, _______________,__________________,___________,______________,_____________ agree to be IN CLASS for all pre-production days, including but not limited to, choosing scripts, film organization, and presentation collaborations.
10. PER DIEMS FOR LODGING & Travel: I, _______________ (Producer) agree to ensure that if production go into the late night that lodging will be established for the cast & crew so as to maintain safety. If travel be necessary for filming, I __________ & ______________ (Producer/Director) agree to arrange a way for the cast/crew to be on location.
11. CREDITS: I, ______________ (Director) agree to ensure a mention in a credit reel of all cast/crew who worked on the production, detailing what role they played in production.
11. PROFIT: I, _______________(Director) agree to share profits (extra credit) with all cast members, should awards or accolades be bestowed upon us.
12. I, ________________, ________________, _________________. _________________, & ______________________ agree to be enthusiastic, energetic, and positive about this project, otherwise I may be “fired” by a majority vote of the cast & crew.
Finally, I _______________, __________________,_________________,
_________________, ____________________ agree to uphold this contract. I agree to give my best effort, to participate, to contribute, to make myself and my group proud. If I do not do my part, I understand that I will be in breach of contract and will suffer grade-related consequences.
The Director may add additional provisions here:
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Film Script Sample: http://www.amazon.com/Pulp-Fiction-Quentin-Tarantino-Screenplay/dp/0786881046/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1334198236&sr=1-5
You need a cover sheet, an introduction page that gives a brief description of setting, tone, theme, etc. and lists all the characters and tells a bit about each one (like you see at the beginning of a play, for example), then 3 pages of "script".
Annotated Bibliography Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ds6ygs8JgHg
Sample MLA Annotation:
Lamott, Anne. Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life. New York: Anchor Books, 1995. Print.
Lamott's book offers honest advice on the nature of a writing life, complete with its insecurities and failures. Taking a humorous approach to the realities of being a writer, the chapters in Lamott's book are wry and anecdotal and offer advice on everything from plot development to jealousy, from perfectionism to struggling with one's own internal critic. In the process, Lamott includes writing exercises designed to be both productive and fun.
Most of your articles will be from academic journals; cite them like this:
Dolby, Nadine. “Research in Youth Culture and Policy: Current Conditions and Future Directions.” Social
Work and Society: The International Online-Only Journal 6.2 (2008): 15-34. Web. 20 May 2009.
Above is the winning video from Spring 2012.
More great projects:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jry9Z0Rukiw&feature=youtu.be
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1jGO0VoQTU
Film Project Contract:
Each group will turn in this contract, signed, as well as a report indicating who lived up to their contractual obligations, who didn't, and who went above and beyond for the project. Include a description of what each group member contributed to the project. This report will serve as our peer grade for this assignment and will be signed off by each member of the group. I expect honesty within each report.
BASIC FILM AGREEMENTS
1. UNDERLYING RIGHTS:
I, _______________ consent to the director using my screenplay for production if so be the vote of the cast and crew. I will charge no fee for such usage. The copyright will be transferred to the whole cast/crew upon production of the script into a film.
2. CAST CONTRACTS: I, _______________, ____________, __________,_________, &_____________ agree to appear in this film. I will work a maximum of ___________ (days/hours), for no fee. My name will be credited in the credit reel of the film.
3. PRODUCERS AGREEMENT:
I, ______________ accept the role of Producer for this film. I agree to ensure that everything on set runs smoothly, that the production comes in on time and on budget. I agree to ensure that the film makes it to screening on the day/time it is assigned to do so.
4. DIRECTORS AGREEMENT: I, ________________ am the director of this film. I accept responsibility in assigning roles, making sure everyone is on set, setting production dates/times, delegating roles so as to create a “vision” for this project, maintaining contact with all cast and crew throughout the production time. I also agree to ensure that the final product is delivered on time, and I agree to take no fee for this role.
5. FACILITIES AGREEMENT:
I intend to use ________________facility to shoot this film. If a permit be needed to film here, then I agree to obtain one.
4. CREW AGREEMENT:
Everyone in your crew (not the cast) who gathers props, makes props, handles the camera, prompts the actors with their scripts, appears as an extra, etc. must sign here agreeing to fulfill their roles for no other payment but mention in the credit reel of the film.
_________________,_________________,________________,_________
5. STOCK FOOTAGE/MUSIC AGREEMENT:
I, __________________ & __________________ (Director and Producer) agree to document credit for all music, or footage not shot by the cast and crew, used in the production of this film.
6. COMPLETION BOND AGREEMENT:
I, _______________, _______________, &______________ (everyone but the Director/Producer) agree to ensure completion of this film and that it gets to screening on time.
7. PRODUCER'S INSURANCE PACKAGE:
I, ________________, _____________,____________,agree that the Producer & Director is not liable for any harm that may come from the film.
8. MEALS: If production takes place during typical lunch (11-1) or dinner (6-8) hours, then ______________________ is responsible for providing lunch to the cast and crew. We will allow __________ minutes for food consumption. Signed, __________________________ (Producer’s name).
9. PRE-PRODUCTION : I, _______________,__________________,___________,______________,_____________ agree to be IN CLASS for all pre-production days, including but not limited to, choosing scripts, film organization, and presentation collaborations.
10. PER DIEMS FOR LODGING & Travel: I, _______________ (Producer) agree to ensure that if production go into the late night that lodging will be established for the cast & crew so as to maintain safety. If travel be necessary for filming, I __________ & ______________ (Producer/Director) agree to arrange a way for the cast/crew to be on location.
11. CREDITS: I, ______________ (Director) agree to ensure a mention in a credit reel of all cast/crew who worked on the production, detailing what role they played in production.
11. PROFIT: I, _______________(Director) agree to share profits (extra credit) with all cast members, should awards or accolades be bestowed upon us.
12. I, ________________, ________________, _________________. _________________, & ______________________ agree to be enthusiastic, energetic, and positive about this project, otherwise I may be “fired” by a majority vote of the cast & crew.
Finally, I _______________, __________________,_________________,
_________________, ____________________ agree to uphold this contract. I agree to give my best effort, to participate, to contribute, to make myself and my group proud. If I do not do my part, I understand that I will be in breach of contract and will suffer grade-related consequences.
The Director may add additional provisions here:
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Film Script Sample: http://www.amazon.com/Pulp-Fiction-Quentin-Tarantino-Screenplay/dp/0786881046/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1334198236&sr=1-5
You need a cover sheet, an introduction page that gives a brief description of setting, tone, theme, etc. and lists all the characters and tells a bit about each one (like you see at the beginning of a play, for example), then 3 pages of "script".
Annotated Bibliography Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ds6ygs8JgHg
Sample MLA Annotation:
Lamott, Anne. Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life. New York: Anchor Books, 1995. Print.
Lamott's book offers honest advice on the nature of a writing life, complete with its insecurities and failures. Taking a humorous approach to the realities of being a writer, the chapters in Lamott's book are wry and anecdotal and offer advice on everything from plot development to jealousy, from perfectionism to struggling with one's own internal critic. In the process, Lamott includes writing exercises designed to be both productive and fun.
Most of your articles will be from academic journals; cite them like this:
Dolby, Nadine. “Research in Youth Culture and Policy: Current Conditions and Future Directions.” Social
Work and Society: The International Online-Only Journal 6.2 (2008): 15-34. Web. 20 May 2009.
Peer Grading for ______________________________________________:
Rank each category 0-5: 0=Nonexistent; 1=Poor; 2=Needs Improvement; 3=Average; 4=Good; 5=Excellent
Enthusiasm ___________ Planning ____________ Participation ____________
Promptness ___________ Quality of Contribution ____________ TOTAL=______________
What was their main contribution? _____________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
Did they honor their contractual obligation to the group? _____________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
List anything they did to go above and beyond for the project, or any concern that you had about this person’s contribution: _______________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Rank each category 0-5: 0=Nonexistent; 1=Poor; 2=Needs Improvement; 3=Average; 4=Good; 5=Excellent
Enthusiasm ___________ Planning ____________ Participation ____________
Promptness ___________ Quality of Contribution ____________ TOTAL=______________
What was their main contribution? _____________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
Did they honor their contractual obligation to the group? _____________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
List anything they did to go above and beyond for the project, or any concern that you had about this person’s contribution: _______________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________