Download a copy of the Project Handout
Check this website frequently as it lists the tools that you need to develop your script, storyboard, and digital portfolio pages for this project. As you develop your idea, there will be more resources here for you to use to work on film techniques, redrafting, and set design.
5/27: Film Festival - Looking for information about the film festival? Read the letter that got sent home last week, and check out this flier designed by Isa Branas:
5/23: Attention Marketing Directors & Editors!
Marketing directors must submit the drafts of their film advertisements to Isa Branas by 4th period.
Editors must capture all the footage their team has filmed to a computer by the end of 5th period.
5/22: Project Announcements
There are a lot of things to be thinking about! In the next two weeks of this project, stay focused and work to accomplish each of these things. As some of you are filming, you are missing some key announcements.
- Refine your script (Due June 6 - Email your refined script to Kay; Turn in your hard-copy with corrections)
- Individual project reflections (Due May 23 - Publish on your Digital Portfolio)
- Finish your utopia book (Due May 30 - Written book reflection due on June 6)
- Film festival on June 5!! Two weeks from today!
5/19: Choose Your Crew
In the afternoon, you will find a film to assist in producing. There are a variety of jobs that you may be able to do (Director, Camerapeople, First Assistant Director, Production Assistant, Actors, Editors, Set & Costume Management). Visit the production teams (in Ted & Kay's rooms) and interview to see which position best suits your unique skills and talents.
After you have selected your team, update your Production Page on your Ideal World Project Team DP with the members of your team.
Examples: 2108 | Practically My Sister | The Love Ville
5/16: Film Shorts for Team Alpha
You have pitched your stories & we have made our decisions! Click here to find out which film shorts will go to the production phase. Good job to all!
5/15: Script Day! Get it done.
1. Finish your script. Refine it with the help of your director, and of another team, if necessary.
2. Finish your storyboard. Refine it!
3. Directors: Work on your film pitch. Tomorrow you will try to "sell" your film to Team Alpha, and convince us that it should be produced as a short. Click here for more information.
Character Profiles: As the film makers, you should know your characters well and create a character profile for each of them. Know what motivates them. Know what obsesses them. Know what makes them tick. If you need another Character Profiling form, check with Kay for a copy. Otherwise, you may visit some of your classmates' DPs to see examples of Character Profiles.
Examples: Michael | Thomas L.| Selah | Bryanna
Team Digital Portfolio:
Requirements:
- 1 Home page with Links to Subpages
- Subpage for Pre-Production (e.g. Script-writing and storyboarding)
- Subpage for Production (e.g. Filming and editing)
- Subpage for Post-Production (e.g. Marketing and presentation)
- Every team member's individual DP should link to the Team DP page for this project
Your Pre-Production subpage should have two film concepts created by your team.
Film concepts should include:
- Theme: What is the point of your film? What do you hope your audience understands?
- Setting: Where is your film? What is the ideal world?
- Characters: Who is your film about?
- Plot: What happens in your film?
- Conflict: What is the struggle of your film? Remember that your ideal world creates the conflict (e.g. If everyone is happy, then it becomes sterile, boring, predictable.. etc.)
Examples: Carla (Kimberly & Angela) | Joelle (& Daphne)| Selah (Audrey & Tyler)
Script: You will be using an official script writing program to format your scripts for your short. Your script should be between 5-7 minutes (Rule of Thumb: each page of script is a minute). Your script should focus on revealing the setting of your ideal world and the characters who invented it or live in it. Use the narrator to develop the scene, and describe the setting. Remember that your script can only reveal what the camera can see.
For more information about script-writing, see the handout given in class or visit this website: Eejit's: Script Layout
To download the open source script writing program, use this website: Celtx
Storyboard: Your team should develop a storyboard for your film. The storyboard is like a comic strip, showing film angles and scenes. You will probably draw 15-25 individual boxes.
Visit this website for more information about developing your storyboard: Eejit's: Acting with a Pencil?
Soundtrack: Film uses music and sound effects to create emotional appeal with the audience. It can be a very effective way to create the mood of a scene.
You need to be careful not to use copyrighted music in your film. Try to get permissions from independent artists, or use these links to find free music available to filmmakers: Innovative Video in Education, Making your own soundtrack.