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Lesson 7

Using the Movie Character Tools we have developed for a central character in our proposed movie, we will write and present a character sketch that tells the character’s story (backstory and character arc) and includes descriptions of the character’s traits, wants, needs, obstacles, and conflicts.

Lesson Goals

Reading and Knowledge

  • Determine Meaning and Purpose: How well do I use the details, elements, and effects filmmakers choose as they create their characters to understand their films’ character arcs, and apply those techniques to my own characters’ stories?
  • Compare and Connect: How well do I represent and use points of connection among movie characters (protagonist and antagonist) to develop their story arcs?

Writing

  • Organize Ideas: How well do I organize my ideas about my movie character into a coherent, logical, and well-developed story arc that expresses both their external characteristics and their internal motivations?
  • Develop Ideas: How well do I use storytelling techniques to elaborate on my ideas about the central character I create?

Speaking and Listening

  • Communicate Effectively: How well do I use language and strategies to accomplish my intended purpose in communicating?

Texts

There are no texts for this Lesson.

Materials

Tools

Editable Google Docs

Activity 1: Write

We will draft a detailed character sketch for the central character in our proposed movie.

Use the Section 4 Diagnostic Checklist and your Movie Character Tools to draft a detailed sketch of your character.

Read over your draft. Be prepared to share it with a group of peers in the next activity. Make revisions as necessary.

Activity 2: Present – Write

We will do a dramatic reading of our character sketch for a group of other students.

Join two other students; each of you should read your character sketch dramatically to the group. Use your voice, as well as the descriptions in your sketch, to make the character’s story come alive.

At the end of each reading, briefly discuss what your group finds to be memorable or questionable about your character.

Write down this feedback, and think about how you will incorporate it into a final version of your character sketch.

Activity 3: Write – Discuss

We will reflect on our work on the Section Diagnostic and assess how prepared we are for the Culminating Task.

Step 1

Choose at least three of the questions below regarding the Section Diagnostic and respond to them in your Learning Log:

  1. How well did you take the necessary action to prepare for the task?

  2. What went well for you during the completion of this task?

  3. What did you struggle with during the completion of this task? How did you push through these struggles?

  4. How well did you actively focus your attention during this independent task? How well did you develop and use an effective and efficient process to maintain workflow during this task?

  5. What would you do differently during the next Section Diagnostic?

Step 2

Now find your Culminating Task Progress Tracker. Think about the knowledge you have gained and the skills you have practiced thus far in the unit. Use the Culminating Task Progress Tracker to do the following:

  • Add or refine any skills and content knowledge required for the Culminating Task.

  • Evaluate how well you are mastering the skills and knowledge required for the Culminating Task.

Step 3

Review the Central Question of the unit:

How do we tell stories with films?

Use the following questions to guide a discussion with a partner or small group:

  1. What new knowledge do you have that relates to the Central Question?

  2. What are you still curious about that relates to the Central Question?

  3. What is the relationship between the Central Question and the texts you have read so far? How do the texts shed light on the question? How does the question help you understand the texts?

  4. How has your response to the question evolved, deepened, or changed?

In your Learning Log, write your response to Question 4.