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Lesson 5

We will bring together each of the elements of our original movie ideas—the title, logline, concept statement, character sketches, and synopsis—and revise our pitch packet into a final draft.

Lesson Goals

  • Can I use strong writing skills and follow writing conventions to clearly communicate my movie idea?

  • Can I organize, summarize, and synthesize my ideas successfully into a succinct description of my movie?

Texts

There are no texts for this Lesson.

Materials

Tools

Reference Guides

Activity 1: Write

We will each write a final, integrated draft of the pitch packet for our original movie idea, using the guidelines in the Filmmaking Glossary.

Step 1

Using the Filmmaking Glossary as a guide, write a final draft of the pitch packet for your original movie idea.

Assemble the various parts you have previously drafted:

  • title and logline

  • concept statement

  • character descriptions for our central and secondary characters

  • synopsis for the three acts of the story spine written in present tense

Think about how to integrate these parts into a whole, and make revisions and transitions so that they will read as a single explanation of your movie idea.

Step 2

Proof and edit your final draft. Pay particular attention to the following:

  • places where the writing is unclear or disconnected from the rest of the pitch packet

  • verb tense you have used to describe your movie concept, characters, and storyline

Activity 2: Read – Discuss – Write

We will review our peers’ movie pitch packets and share constructive questions, comments, and suggestions.

Work with an editing partner or small group to review each of your pitch packets. Use questions such as the following to guide your peer review:

  1. How are the ideas for the movie interesting and exciting? How might the ideas for the movie be made stronger?

  2. Where in the pitch packet is the writing unclear or disconnected? How might the writing in these places be improved?

  3. Is the pitch packet consistently written in the present tense and with vivid descriptions? If not, where and how might it be edited and improved?

When receiving feedback from your peers, listen. Do not try to justify your choices but rather pay attention to how others react or feel. When offering suggestions, consider what they are trying to do and how you can help them get there—your goal is to help them envision and articulate the best version of the movie that they intend to create.

Use your peer’s suggestions to revise your work into the final pitch packet you will submit for the Culminating Task.

Activity 3: Discuss – Write

Our teacher will meet with us to give us comments and feedback about our film ideas and to help us strategize about how to revise them.

Meet with your teacher for feedback on your original movie idea. Your teacher will advise you on how to revise and finalize your work.