Hour 2-Lesson Plans for 1-12-2016
Background to lesson:
Film Noir has been a genre we have studied for the last ten years. The historical and
stylistic relevancy of it has influenced such franchises as Batman, Sin City, Spiderman
and Rocky.
Students have recently embarked on a mini-lesson dedicated to gaining comprehension
of the aesthetic and stylistic nuances associated with film noir.. Transitions such as
wipes, pushes and pulls have been introduced. Music stabs, crash cuts and thematic
soundtracks have also been issued.
A script featuring terms from the film noir glossary has been assigned and is due on 18-2016. Subgroups were formed with each group presenting their findings and script to
the class. From the student submissions, a best of show will be selected. This script is
the first formative assignment for the lesson. A reading of three class scripts and the
adjudication will commence on 1-8-2016.
The secondary installment will be the determination of cast and crew. All students will
have a specific assignment for this production. These assignments will be listed as
follows:
Talent x 5-6
Director x1
Technical Director x 1
Sound acquisition x 1
Recording engineer x 1
Camera x 3
Props x 2
Set design x 1
Editor x2
Writer/Scripty x 2
Lighting x 2
Lesson plan for January 12, 2016
Objectives: To foster an understanding of the orchestration and coordination between
talent, camera, script and writer. Students must understand that characterization is not
defined through speaking alone. Idiosyncrasies, tics and movements are all directly
related to characterization. The camera is a magnifying glass that captures all of this
and allows the audience to sense the emotions, conflicts and tensions expressed by the
characters. This ability to capture is only partially successful when a plan has been
instated. Organizational skills, work in tandem with aesthetics in order to present
something visually and structurally sound.
Students will gain insight into the following:
The character and camera must work in tandem in order to fully capture the moment.
Blocking is one of the chief ingredients to presenting a performance that represents the
efforts of the writer.
The synchronicity of the director, camera operator and talent must be worked out prior
to the actual shooting of the production. All on camera movement is predicated by need
rather than by coincidence.
The script may lack authenticity once it has been visually presented and may need
revision.
Rarely is anything well produced by chance and that organizational skills are the key
component to success.
Culminating events:
Students will participate in a question and answer session after the actual blocking in
order to determine needs and future concerns.
Students will shoot the actual scene on the 14th or 15th of January and present their
work as a summative grade. This project should be handed to local origination cable for
playback.
Thanks for your patience. It is difficult to determine how far they may have progressed.
Best regards,
Kurt Doelle