Drama Unit

YEAR 10 UNIT: Small Screen Drama RATIONALE: In this unit, students will study TV, film and video drama. Students will be expected to collaborate to create dramatic meaning using screen production technology. Students should investigate skills and techniques for devising, structuring and performing their own screen works. They should use appropriate technologies to shoot, edit and present their works. For their assessment, students will be asked to select a bible verse and construct a short movie around this. OBJECTIVES: 1. Students will learn how to use a variety of technologies to create dramatic meaning 2. Students will learn to collaborate with others to create a short film 3. Students will be familiar with a variety of shots used to create dramatic meaning 4. Students will learn how to manipulate the elements of drama and production to create an interesting film 5. Students will learn how to direct 6. Students will learn about sound and editing These will be learned through: Making drama that explores a range of imagined and created situations in a collaborative drama and theatre environment Performing devised and scripted drama using a variety of performance techniques, dramatic forms and theatrical conventions to engage an audience Appreciating the meaning and function of drama and theatre in reflecting the personal, social, cultural, aesthetic and political aspects of the human experience. OUTCOMES: 5.1.1 5.1.2 5.1.3 5.1.4

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5.2.1 5.2.2 5.2.3 5.3.1 5.3.3 RESOURCES: • Logbooks • Cameras • Laptop • Fire wire • Video tapes (mini…) • Handouts • Glue • Pens • The Mask – Jim Carrey • ASSESSMENTS: 15% Performance/film In small groups you are to find a bible verse and create 3-5 minute film (fully edited) using all the skills learnt in class. 5% Storyboard You are required to INDIVIDUALLY draw up your story board for your film, regardless of your practical role. UNIT OUTLINE – For more details see lesson plans LESSON 1

ACTIVITIES

RESOURCES

OUTCOMES

EVALUATION

Introduction to Small Screen Drama • You will be required to have your

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logbook on you EVERYDAY. You will not have to journal after class, instead you will be marked on how well you keep all your handouts, notes taken and observations. You should be writing in your books CONTINUOUSLY throughout the next 8 weeks. You are to prepare yourself that there is going to be theory work that you must learn before you create a short film. I want you to learn how to create a short film that is of a higher quality then others in this school. You must be patient this unit as there will be times that you are sitting around –it will be your responsibility to remain focused at all times. Use this time to continue planning. What you do not learn in theory, you will not receive the marks for your assessment as you will not know exactly what I will be looking for.

Discussion – FILM Record this discussion in your logbooks. What do you know about film What do you like about movies? What do you find powerful through movies? What different genres are there – what are these genres made up of? COPY INTO YOUR LOGBOOKS - Genre types: Not only are there different genres, there are also different types of films.

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PRACTICAL – Handout 1.1 Complete this in small groups WHOLE CLASS DISCUSSION – Discuss each group’s answers. Film genres are various forms or identifiable types, categories, classifications or groups of films that are recurring and have similar, familiar or instantly recognizable patterns, filmic techniques or conventions that include on e or more of the following: settings, content and subject matter, themes, period, plot, central narrative events, motifs, styles, structures, situations, recurring icons, stock characters etc. GIVE OUT HANDOUT 1.2 – Read and complete questions/activities: Comedy Comedy films are the ‘make them laugh’ films designed to elicit laughter from the audience. Comedies are light-hearted dramas, crafted to amuse, entertain, and provoke enjoyment. The comedy genre humorously exaggerates the situation, the language, action and characters. Comedies observe the deficiencies, foibles, and frustrations of life, providing audiences with escapism from day-to-day life. They usually have happy endings, although the humor may have a serious or pessimistic side. Types of comedy: • Slapstick – this was scene in the earliest silent films, since they didn’t need sound to be effective. More recent

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examples may be Ace Venturea Pet Detective or The Mask with Jim Carrey. Deadpan – This form of comedy sees the characters using very serious/dead pan faces despite the funny situations they find themselves in Ex. The Office Black Comedy: These are dark, sarcastic stories that help us examine otherwise ignored darker, subjects such as war, death or illness. Ex. Mash Parody/Farce/Satire – These specific types of comedy are usually takeoff/imitations of already famous people or predictable situations. Ex. Naked Gun, Austin Powers, Wayne’s World.

Question: What would you have to consider if you chose this genre for your assessment? Crime/Gangster: These are developed around the sinister actions of criminals or gangsters, particularly bank robbers, underworld figures, or ruthless hoodlums who operate outside the law, stealing and murdering their way through life. Crime stores often highlight the life of a crime figure or a crime’s victim(s). Or they glorify the rise and fall of a particular criminal(s), gang, bank robber, murderer or lawbreakers in personal power struggles or conflict with law and order figures, an underling or competitive colleague, or a rival gang. Question: What are some typical characters found in

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this genre? Question 2: What would you have to consider if you chose this genre for you assessment? • Props – guns etc • Violence allowed will be limited • NO swearing • How would it portray a biblical message? Musical/dance films: These are cinematic forms that emphasize and showcase full-scale song and dance routines in a significant way (usually with a musical or dance performance as part of the film narrative, or as an unrealistic “eruption” within the film). Or they are films that are centered on combinations of music, dance, song or choreography. In traditional musicals, cast members are ones who sing. Musicals highlight various musical artists or dancing stars, with lyrics that support the story line, often with an alternative, escapist vision of reality – a search for love, success, wealth and popularity. Tremendous film choreography and orchestration often enhances musical numbers. Question: What would you have to consider if you chose this genre? • Costumes • Music • Lighting • Story through song and dance • Technical ability of singer/dancers etc.

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Drama These are serious presentations or stories with settings or life situations that portray realistic characters in conflict with either themselves, others, or forces of nature. A dramatic film shows us human beings at their best, their worst, and everything in-between. Each of the types of subject-matter themes have various kinds of dramatic plots. Dramatic films are probably the largest film genre because it can include a broad spectrum of films. PRACTICAL – Mind map Create a mind map that shows the types of themes that could be explored through the drama genre: Dramatic themes often include current issues, societal ills, and problems, concerns or injustices, such as racial prejudice, religious intolerance, drug addiction, poverty, political unrest, the corruption of power, alcoholism, class divisions, sexual inequality, mental illness, corrupt societal institutions, violence toward women or other explosive issues of the times. These films have successfully drawn attention to the issues by taking advantage of the topical interest of the subject. Question 2 What would you have to consider if you chose this genre for your assessment?

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Warm up – MONOLOGUE (Handout 1.3) As a whole class we are to read out the terms that we use in film. You are to try and create a short monologue in which you use as many of these terms – making sense!!!

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See handout 1.3 for terminology Camera Functions: 1. On/off button 2. Find out if the power-on switch has two settings; one for recording and one for playback. 3. Learn where the record button is on your camera. 4. Learn how to insert new tapes and eject used ones. 5. Lens cap 6. Zoom button – keep smooth when using 7. Battery PRACTICAL – Learning basic techniques Basic filming techniques: 1. Hold an optical viewfinder camera steady by using both hands to support it when you are shooting tape. 2. Put your right hand into the camera strap, which is usually attached to the lends 3. Put three fingers of your left hand on the bottom of the camera 4. Move yourself closer to the action rather than using your zoom lens to zoom in. 5. Avoid walking shots. But if you have to walk while shooting, practice gliding rather than walking stiff-legged. PRACTICAL – Filming tai chi style 1. Everyone walk around the room as though you are gliding. 2. Slow

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3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Fast Pretend you are carrying a camera Lower yourself to ground Stand up slowly Move from side to side

PRACTICAL – Steadying a camera 1. Tuck both elbows into your abdomen 2. Take a deep breath before shooting, and hold your breath while you shoot. 3. Always shoot at the widest possible focal length to minimize camera movement. 4. Avoid walking shots, and brace yourself against vertical surfaces whenever possible. Developing a Good Shooting Style: 1. Don’t force camera movement by doing hands or tilts when they add nothing to the scenes you are taping 2. Avoid taking a shot with a large empty frame surrounding a small action area in the center of your picture 3. Limit the length of your scenes if the action slacks off. Don’t include long sequences in which nothing is happening – nothing doesn’t mean silence… you can have powerful silent scenes. 4. Alternate between types of shots. Shot types: When you are choosing the type of shot, you must choose it wisely. Discussion:

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1. 2. 3. 4.

Why would you choose to do a close up shot? Why would you choose to do a long distance shot? Why would you choose to zoom in/out? Why would you do a birds eye shot?

Shot: All video is made up of shots. A shot is basically from when you press record to when you stop recording. Like the individual photos which make up an album, the shots get put together to make a video. Types of shots: Give out handout 1.4 – 1. Extreme Wide Shot 2. Very Wide Shot 3. Wide Shot 4. Mid shot 5. Medium close up 6. Close up 7. Extreme Close up 8. Cutaway 9. Cut in 10. Two-shot 11. Over the shoulder shot 12. Noddy shot 13. Point of View shot 14. Weather shot Giving the shot types a practical go: 15. Extreme Wide Shot 16. Very Wide Shot 17. Wide Shot 18. Mid shot

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19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28.

Medium close up Close up Extreme Close up Cutaway Cut in Two-shot Over the shoulder shot Noddy shot Point of View shot Weather shot

HANDOUT 1.5 Camera Angles: • Low Angle - This shows the subject from below, giving them the impression of being more powerful or dominant. EXAMPLES • Eye-Level - This is the most common view, being the real-world angle that we are all used to. It shows subjects as we would expect to see them in real life. It is a fairly neutral shot. EXAMPLES • High Angle - A high angle shows the subject from above, i.e. the camera is angled down towards the subject. This has the effect of diminishing the subject, making them appear less powerful, less significant or even submissive. EXAMPLES – • Birds eye - The scene is shown from directly above. This is a completely different and somewhat unnatural point of view which can be used for dramatic effect or for showing a different spatial

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perspective. In drama it can be used to show the positions and motions of different characters and objects, enabling the viewer to see things the characters can’t. EXAMPLES – Transition: Shots are linked (edited) in a sequence to tell a larger story. The way in which any two shots are joined together is called the transition. Usually this is a simple cut, in which one shot changes instantly to the next. More complex transitions include mixing, wipes and digital effects. A moving shot (e.g. pan) can also be thought of as a transition from one shot to a new one. The transition is very important in camera work, and you need to think constantly about how every shot will fit in with the ones before and after it. The key is not so much how the transition is achieved technically, but how the composition of each shot fits together. EXAMPLES Pan – Side-to-side camera movement. EXAMPLES Tilt - Up and down camera movement EXAMPLES Zoom - In and out camera movement EXAMPLES -

Giving the angles a practical go: Shooting techniques: Shooting techniques- giving it a go

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Acting for the Camera Acting for the camera 2 Drawing a story board

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