Comp/Lit 11 – LGHS – Ms. White
The Crucible Group Film Project
Due:
For this project, you are to work in groups in an organized, supportive, and effective manner to complete and
execute an impressive and superior final product. For all options, the final product is a film short that must be
submitted on time (NO EXCEPTIONS) on the due date at the time class begins. You will have 2 weekends,
limited in class time, and whatever after school time you choose to utilize to complete this project. You
must: plan out your time wisely; communicate frequently with your group members; come prepared to
class(es) that is/are designated for group time; contribute fairly to the overall project. If you plan
accordingly, you should be able to break up the project into parts for each group member and use the
designated class time and perhaps one or two afternoons after school to work together as a group.
NOTE ON GROUP WORK: In college and in your careers, you’ll find yourself not only being asked to do
group work by a boss or professor, but also needing to work effectively in a group in order to succeed at a
task. Very few jobs/life paths will require little to no collaboration with others. Get used to it now!
Communication and responsibility are key.
If you do not have access to a video recording device or any other supplies, please see me. I have
supplies available for you if such a situation should arise.
Failure to communicate with me or with your group, or to plan accordingly will seriously affect your grade.
Be responsible. This project is indented to take 6-10 hours to complete; do not leave it until the last day(s).
Failing
Approaching
Meeting
Exceeding
Group submitted a complete screenplay for their
filmed segment. The screenplay meets formatting
5
6 7 8
9
10
requirements, is free and clear of grammatical/
mechanical/proofreading errors.
Students’ filmed performance is between 5-7 minutes.
The video segment is well edited, organized, and easy
to follow.
3
4
5
6
The filmed performance is both well acted and executed.
It’s clear that the group dedicated time and effort to
practice and work together.
4
6
7
8
The filmed performance shows that the group paid close
attention to costume, props, setting, dialogue, and other
details.
3
4
5
6
5
6 7 8
9
10
5
6 7 8
9
10
The group submitted the required poster/visual aid that
is eye-catching, organized, creative, and neatly
represented. All work is original and no images, etc.
come from print out of famous actors in character.
It’s clear the group aimed to work well together. Their
project not only shows their engagement with the task
and the text, but also their ability and dedication to work
as a team.
Names: ____________________________________________________________Date:_____Period:___Opt#:____
Comments:_________________________________________________________________Raw Score:________/50
___________________________________________________________________________Grade:____________%
For this project, it’s first come, first serve. Discuss with your group what project you want to go for, and then sign up
promptly. Sign ups are firm and require my approval to change, once you’ve written your group names on the sheet.
Up to 2 groups will be able to complete a project from the same option. However, NO collaboration between separate
groups is acceptable. If you have questions/need assistance, contact your teacher.
Project options:
#1: Compose a scene occurring after Act 4. This scene should follow the format of Arthur Miller’s drama including
a description of the setting, stage directions, and dialogue. Your group must capture the scene on video, where the
actors have rehearsed and memorized their lines, characters appear in costume, and the setting accurately reflects the
1692 period of the original play. In addition to filming the scene, your group must submit a screenplay of the newly
added Act 5. The screenplay should be typed in the same format that appears in the text.
#2: Film a movie teaser/trailer for a modern film adaptation of the play. This teaser/trailer should capture
important and crucial moments, conflicts, themes, and/or characters from Arthur Miller’s drama, but in a modern way.
Attention to setting, stage direction, and dialogue is required. In addition to filming, your group must submit a
screenplay of the trailer/teaser. The screenplay should be typed in the same format that appears in the text. Finally,
create a movie poster that captures the essence/central focus of the hypothetical film, featuring characters, themes,
movie tagline, etc.
#3: Film an abridged act from the original play. This scene should follow the format of Arthur Miller’s drama
including a description of the setting, stage directions, and dialogue. Your group must capture the scene on video,
where the actors have rehearsed and memorized their lines, characters appear in costume, and the setting accurately
reflects the 1692 period of the original play. In addition to filming, your group must submit a screenplay of the edited
and abridged act. The screenplay should be typed in the same format that appears in the text. Finally, create a poster
that captures the essence/central focus of your abridged act, featuring characters, themes, questions, etc.
#4: Create a draft of a children’s book and pitch the draft to a publishing firm. Your group is a team of children’s
authors and illustrators and has been approached to create a picture book which re-tells Arthur Miller’s drama for kids.
You must capture on film your pitch of the draft before a publishing firm. In your pitch, you should feature the
(minimum) three colorful and illustrated pages from the children’s book. One of the pages must capture the lesson that
your book is meant to teach to kids. Finally, your group must submit a screenplay of the pitch typed in the same format
that appears in Miller’s text.
#5: Create an America’s Most Wanted segment on one of the characters from the play. This segment, occurring
in the years after the witch trials have ended, should feature at least one “most wanted” character who is now wanted
for various crimes (perhaps murder, perjury, conspiracy to commit a crime, etc.) since the court retracted the
excommunications of the condemned. The segment must capture why he/she is wanted, possible speculations for
current whereabouts, and possibly dramatizations of alleged crimes committed. Finally, create an “America’s Most
Wanted” poster for the character(s) that’s featured in your group’s segment.
#6: Film a sequence of jailhouse monologues. Your group should capture a number of characters and their last
jailhouse (internal) monologue the night before they are to be hanged. The jailhouse monologues should feature
conflicts, regrets, burning questions, desperate emotions of someone who is about to die for crimes he/she did not
commit, etc. Characters should appear in costume and lines should be well rehearsed and memorized. Attention to
setting, dialogue, and other details is required. In addition to filming, your group must submit a screenplay of the
jailhouse monologues typed in the same format that appears in Miller’s text. Finally, create a poster for at least one (ok
to capture more than one character on one poster) character and his/her pre-execution monologue.
#7: Film a breaking-news broadcast on the Salem Witch Trials. Your news broadcast should merge 21st century
technology with 17th century issues. The filmed breaking-news broadcast should highlight at least one character
relationship, one religious event, and an act and its consequence. Your characters should appear in costume and have
appropriate props, and your group should pay attention to setting, dialogue, and other details. In addition to filming,
your group must submit a screenplay of the breaking-news broadcast typed in the same format that appears in Miller’s
text. Finally, create a poster for the news station and their coverage of the Salem Witch Trials as a means of both
acquiring viewers and advertising the station.