Name:
COMING TO A THEATER NEAR YOU
While you were reading your latest book, you might have thought about
how it would make a good movie. Here is your chance to use your
imagination to help promote the movie. Your job is to cast the actors,
create the movie poster and write a synopsis.
WHAT DO I NEED TO DO:
 Cast of characters
o Write at least 3 character traits for at least 3 of the
characters in your book. Make sure to give an example from
the book for each one.
o Think about who would play these characters on the big
screen? Use his/her name for the starring roles.
EXAMPLE:
Justin Bieber stars Crash Coogan in the blockbuster, CRASH. He is an
athletic middle school student. He is athletic because he is a great
football player that scores a lot of touchdowns. He acts tough and likes to
show that he is stronger than his peers. He does this by playing pranks on
Penn like putting mustard in his shoe. He is conceited and is often seen
bragging about his football abilities and picking on Penn Webb. He thinks
that he is the best football player and that he is better than everyone else.
Penn Webb is played by Jaden Smith. Penn is the dorky neighbor of
Crash. He is dorky because he wears buttons on his shirt. He loves nature
and is kind-hearted. He is kind-hearted when he offers Crash the river
mud. Penn is calm and nothing seems to bother him, not even Crash. He
was very calm when Crash put mustard in his shoes.
Mrs. Coogan, Crash’s mother is played by Eva Mendes. Mrs. Coogan
is caring and tries hard to be a mom and have a job. She works as a
realestate agent and spends a lot of hours at her job. She is kind and
worries about her family. She makes dinner for them even when she gets
home late. She also is sympathetic and tries to help Crash deal with some
feelings that he has never felt before.
 Synopsis
o Write a paragraph that tells what the movie is about. Be
sure to have 5-10 sentences. Don’t give the ending away
though! You want to persuade us to see the movie. Be sure
to mention setting, title and author of book.
EXAMPLE:
In the movie Crash, John Coogan, otherwise known as Crash, is in
middle school in a small town in Pennsylvania. He has a pesky neighbor,
Penn Webb, who seems to get under Crash’s skin. But Penn is a kind boy
who just wants to be friends. We follow the boys across paths from 1st
grade to middle school. Once in middle school, their lives intertwine with
more intensity than Crash would like. What happens to their relationship?
 Picture
o Draw one of your favorite scenes from the book. Your scene
should include at least one of the characters. Be sure that it
is neat and it looks like you took time to draw it.
ENRICHMENT:
Pretend you are a movie critic that is advertising in your poster. Your
task is to write a movie review. You must let the reader know whether
you liked the film or not. Use vivid verbs and adjectives to make your
opinion evident. Be sure to back up your opinion with examples from
the story.
Some suggestions:
Was the movie suspenseful or exciting?
Did the movie grab your interest from the start or did it drag on?
Was the ending unpredictable?
DUE DATE:___________________________________
Name:
Movie Review Rubric
Cast of
Characters
Starring
Roles
Synopsis
Picture
Mechanics
4
3
2
1
Included at
least 3
characters
with 3
character
traits for each.
Includes
specific
examples.
Included at
least 3
characters
with 2
character
traits for each.
Includes
examples.
Included at
least 2
characters
with 2
character
traits for each.
Does not
include
examples.
Included at
least 1
character with
1 character
trait for each.
Does not
include
examples.
Created
starring roles
for 3 or more
characters.
Created
starring roles
for 2
characters.
Created
starring roles
for 1
character.
Did not create
starring roles
for each
character.
Creates a
paragraph of
5-10 sentences
that tells what
the movie is
about. Does
not give away
the ending.
Creates a
paragraph of
less than 5
sentences that
tells what the
movie is about.
Does not give
away the
ending.
Creates a
Does not
paragraph of
include a
less than 5
synopsis.
sentences that
tells what the
movie is about.
Gives away the
ending.
Neat, colorful,
and looks like
it to time to
complete.
No spelling or
grammar
errors.
Somewhat
neat and
colorful.
Not neat, or no
color.
No effort
shown or
missing.
Mostly correct
spelling and
grammar.
Some correct
spelling and
grammar.
Many errors in
spelling and
grammar.