Active Minds Bonus Chapter Lights! Camera! ACTION! This creative project puts your children into the director s chair as they work together or on their own to create cinematic magic. intact. Want more ideas? Visit http://learningnook.com/books/active-minds/ today! Page 1
Why Choose This Project? Age Range: any Duration: any Skills: language and story-telling, visual design, planning, communication, sequencing, graphic design, perspective, problem-solving, reading, writing, following directions, writing directions, creative thinking, descriptive writing Materials Needed: optional costumes, homemade props, rope, tape, puppet supplies, paint, cardboard boxes, optional face paint or makeup for performers, blankets for dividers for stage, video camera or cell phone with video capability It s difficult to find kids that are not fascinated by the video camera, and with the advent of cameras in your phone and other inexpensive devices, most families have access. Instead of turning the kids loose with the camera, though, how about putting a smidge of structure and guidance to the project and reaping countless educational benefits? It s not hard, and really doesn t even take much effort on your part. Here s how to get started. Before you even hand over the video camera, make sure the cast and crew do some planning in writing. You could handle this just like a real film company does-ask for a proposal first, where the principles describe their vision for their film. This should be pretty detailed, including where they plan to get their script, what props, backgrounds, costumes and so forth will be required and how they plan to create them, and roughly how long they expect the finished video to be. Once you as producer are happy with the proposal, then it s time for them to get to work. The first step will be to write a script. Remember that a script is not written in the same way as a story. It includes descriptions of the setting for each scene, stage directions for the actors and actresses, and the exact words that everyone will say in the exact order that the lines are to be recited. Longer productions should be broken into scenes for simplicity s sake. Help the kids narrow the focus and create natural breaking points where the scenes could change. Next, the crew needs to create or assemble the props, costumes, backgrounds, and so forth that will be needed for the film. This will likely involve some crafty intact. Want more ideas? Visit http://learningnook.com/books/active-minds/ today! Page 2
activities, or perhaps even some supervised construction. The young crew may need some nudges in the creativity department, so be prepared to think outside of the box to create the effects that they are trying to create. Will the movie need sound effects? How will these be created? Shaking a large sheet of poster board can make some dandy thunder, for example. Also, the internet is full of sound clips that can be used for personal projects like this one (just no public display like on YouTube without having correct permissions). Rehearsal is a must. Once all of the props and pieces are available, make sure the kids put in some rehearsal time. You can even plan to watch the dress rehearsal before handing your camera over or before pressing that record button. Be sure to help the kids be aware of the space that the camera s lens will cover. Don t make the action span too wide of an area to take in with minimal sweeping or panning across the staging area. Consider adding some masking tape markings to the staging area so kids can remember where they can stand or move to. Ready to film? Try using large cardboard signs for title and credits, if you don t want to add the complexity of doing these electronically. Do a sound check, too. Most built-in microphones are not particularly powerful, so make sure the actors and actresses are projecting their voices and speaking slowly enough to be understood in the film. Remind the kids (or teach them how) to vary their shots. Use terms like close-up, panning, head-shot, and so forth. The movie will be more visually interesting if the videographer does more than hold the camera still while the action happens. Want a great list of terms you could try out? Check the glossary at https://www.nyfa.edu/student-resources/glossary/. Finally, do whatever editing your group wishes. I ve listed some links to great resources for this project, or you can use whatever software you have on hand. Enjoy your finished video, and share wherever is appropriate. Have fun!! intact. Want more ideas? Visit http://learningnook.com/books/active-minds/ today! Page 3
Summary of the plot or subject matter: Plan A Movie _ Scene by Scene Description: _ Reproducible intact. Want more ideas? Visit http://learningnook.com/books/active-minds/ today! Page 4
Plan A Movie Page 2 Equipment and Props Needed: Special Effects/Sound Effects Descriptions: Estimated Length of Final Production: Reproducible intact. Want more ideas? Visit http://learningnook.com/books/active-minds/ today! Page 5
Storyboard When professionals make a movie, they often use a storyboard to plan scenes. The storyboard serves as a planning tool for each section of the movie. The author can make notes about the setting, props, background, characters movements and dialog, what is to happen in the scene, and how the scene begins and ends. Use this page to get started, and then duplicate the following template page as many times as you need to in order to map out your movie. The more detailed you can make the storyboard, the more likely it will be that your finished movie will match your vision. Production Title: page # Actions: Notes: Actions: Notes: Reproducible intact. Want more ideas? Visit http://learningnook.com/books/active-minds/ today! Page 6
Storyboard Production Title: Page # Actions: Notes: Actions: Notes: Actions: Notes: Actions: Notes: Reproducible intact. Want more ideas? Visit http://learningnook.com/books/active-minds/ today! Page 7
Resources and Ideas Include the Youngest Filmmakers: Even if your creative genius is in preschool or kindergarten, they can still participate in the fun. Have them draw pictures of their vision, make recorded descriptions of characters, scenes and so forth, and lend a hand with the planning. Choose a familiar story or book to use as a basis for the movie, if you wish. Make paper representations of props and costumes, or consider using puppets instead of real live actors and actresses. Create a Picture Book or Slide Show: Sometimes making a movie is overwhelming, since so much has to happen in each scene. You can modify this project to create a picture book or slide show instead. Set up each scene with its characters and props, and then snap a picture. Add the words and dialog later in printed form or a narrator s script. This is the perfect modification for youngsters who have trouble reading and writing, who are challenged by remembering lines, or if the entire process just needs some simplification. Develop a Budget: Real filmmakers have to find ways to finance their vision. Have your crew create a financial plan for their project as well. Make a list of props, supplies, costume needs, and so forth, and develop a written plan for acquiring the things that are needed. Account for donations, purchase of materials, and outside funding. Will the filmmakers need to do some fund raising? What could they do to earn money? You could even set up a camera rental agreement! Create a Publicity Campaign: There is a lot of hype associated with show biz, and this film can jump right on the bandwagon. Create posters, handbills, critical review articles, and even commercials. Do a bit of extra filming or creative editing and design a movie trailer that will get the audience all excited to see the finished product. Try Animation: Closely allied to movie-making is animation. Try creating a cartoon! intact. Want more ideas? Visit http://learningnook.com/books/active-minds/ today! Page 8
Resources: Research resources at the library, bookstore and online. Encourage your student to interview experts or other knowledgeable individuals. Examine a real movie s publicity campaign. See how the advertising experts publicize a new film. Check for relevant podcasts and enewsletters. Search for support or professional organizations to join or contact. In addition, check these websites for great ideas: http://www.minimoviemakers.com/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2yefs0vn6c http://coolspotters.com/articles/the-mega-movie-making-guide-for-kids http://kidsvid.4teachers.org/ https://www.graphite.org/blog/16-websites-and-apps-for-making-videosand-animation http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/what-are-storyboards http://uwsslec.libguides.com/c.php?g=187016&p=1236350 https://www.wevideo.com/ http://www.fluxtime.com/ intact. Want more ideas? Visit http://learningnook.com/books/active-minds/ today! Page 9
Now What? You re on your way to keeping the kids occupied in productive and brain-engaging ways over summer vacation, spring break, or any time they need something to do. As a member of Active Minds, you ll get updates when new ideas and products are available. Stop in and visit us often! You can access your account any time by logging in and visiting http://learningnook.com/active-minds-dashboard/. Don t have an account yet? Sign up for free at http://learningnook.com/books/activeminds/! intact. Want more ideas? Visit http://learningnook.com/books/active-minds/ today! 10 Page