T. Gillespie, J. Bacon, and T. Cochran
Film and Video
Scripting

Activities

• Acquire commercial tapes from a local TV station and examine the:

style, duration, and variety of shots.

• Have students develop a theme for scripting:

  use anything from newspaper clippings to a Sunday sermon for ideas

  one eighth grade class made a Western complete with cap guns and ketchup.

• Practice "hands on" with video or film equipment:

  use simple equipment. Practice shots with zoom lens

  let students see themselves on screen. Role play on screen

• Begin scripting:

  have students work as a group

  use a tape recorder; let characters' dialogue develop spontaneously without consideration for logic or grammar

  have students transcribe tape

  work out the logic and grammar of the script

  discuss believability

  introduce dramatic techniques for character, plot, and scene development.

• Examine more commercial tapes, preferably soap operas, for dramatic conflict.
• Rewrite script, using tape recorder and videocamera.
• Examine commercial tapes for lighting and sound.
• Finish script.
• Shoot the script in the village. Discuss results.

Resources

• a local TV station
• Alaska State Library for videotapes; audiocassettte recordings for background sound and songs; books on film and video 
• Ptarmigan TV (see page 54) 
• The VTR in the Classroom
• the film Real-to-Reel
• Media and Methods magazine

Variations

• Make a "how to" film on trapping, skin sewing, or sled building.
• Make a documentary of another school project, a basketball game, carnival, or village life.
• Let each student work on one segment and splice together.
• Divide tasks of directing, editing, writing, acting, etc.
• Plan a public showing.

Artist in Residence Program

Community Mural Project

Elder Posters and Interviews

Literature from Life History and Village Lore

Bilingual Exercise

Illustrated History of Eskimo Games

Freeze-Up Essays

Literacy Bank

Elementary Reader

Grant and Proposal Writing

Student A/V Presentation

"Focus on Your Village," a short videotaped news program

Developmental Photography

Film and Video Scripting

Animation

Producing a Play

Ceramics-Chess Class

Block Print Sales

Weavers Guild