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Lesson 3

We will watch another segment of Blackfish and use the Understanding a Movie Tool to discuss and write down our developing observations about its storyline, filmmaking techniques, and exemplification of the documentary film genre.

Lesson Goals

  • Can I assess my level of understanding of a text and note my questions for clarification?

  • Can I watch a movie in a critical, analytical way?

Texts

Core

  • Multimedia
    • Blackfish, Gabriella Cowperthwaite, Magnolia Pictures, 2013

Materials

Tools

Reference Guides

Question Sets

Editable Google Docs

Activity 1: View – Write

We will watch the next 30 minutes of Blackfish.

Watch the next 30 minutes of Blackfish in class.

As you watch, note key details of the movie and your analysis of them on a copy of the Video Note-Taking Tool.

As a class, identify the story beats that have been developed in this section of the movie, and how the story spine is developed by the filmmakers.

Activity 2: Write

We will begin to summarize and analyze Blackfish using the Understanding a Movie Tool.

Using your viewing notes, begin to fill out your Understanding a Movie Tool for Blackfish. If you have questions, or find something confusing, note it in your Learning Log.

Activity 3: Discuss

We will discuss our reactions to the storytelling in Blackfish, considering the perspectives of audience members, critics, and the movie’s filmmakers.

As a class, discuss your developing impressions of Blackfish, considering the following questions:

  1. As an audience member, what are your emotional reactions to the movie? What causes you to react as you do?

  2. From the perspective of a film critic, what can you objectively note about the filmmakers’ choices and techniques in telling the story through a documentary?

  3. What do you sense was the filmmakers’ perspective toward the story that influenced the film’s concept, style, theme, and story arc?