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TRIPLE TAKE_LESSON ONE_GEAR, STORY, INTERVIEW

TRIPLE TAKE

LESSON ONE

GEAR, STORY, INTERVIEW:

A FILMMAKER’S BLUEPRINT

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TRIPLE TAKE_LESSON ONE_GEAR, STORY, INTERVIEW

ESSENTIAL

QUESTION

How can you use filming tools, storytelling, and interviews to make a video that effectively tells a story and shows empathy and understanding for its subjects?

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TRIPLE TAKE_LESSON ONE_GEAR, STORY, INTERVIEW

STANDARD KIT

OPTION 1.

TEACHER NOTES: You will use either Slide 4 or 5, standard or DSLR kit information based on the option you chose for this project.

STATE: We are going to explore the components of filmmaking over the next 3 sessions that support what Harvard Professor John Kotter says is the “See, Feel, Change” approach that fuels action by sparking emotion and using the power of storytelling and peer-to-peer connections to create powerful, heartfelt associations. 2. First up is the film equipment you will use to tell your stories. Using film equipment to capture close-up shots and nuanced expressions allows filmmakers to convey the depth of their subjects' emotions, creating a bridge of empathy and understanding between the audience and the individuals featured in the story. This visual intimacy invites viewers to step into the shoes of others, fostering a deeper emotional connection and insight into diverse human experiences. They will learn more as they move through the project and develop their films.

STANDARD FILM KIT:

Tell students that they will now watch a video about their kit STANDARD iPad Film Kit show the intro to the film kit video (approximately 6 minutes in length)�LINK: Story Docs Film Kit (Ep.11) on Vimeo�

*Prior to use of the film kit: model assembly and disassembly and have students practice assembly and disassembly as much as time allows; use the film equipment overview provided in the kit as a guide to components and usage for each component.

�

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TRIPLE TAKE_LESSON ONE_GEAR, STORY, INTERVIEW

DSLR KIT

OPTION 2. DSLR FILM KIT. You will use either Slide 4 or 5, standard or DSLR kit information based on the option you chose for this project.

TEACHER NOTES:

STATE: We are going to explore the components of filmmaking over the next 3 sessions that support what Harvard Professor John Kotter says is the “See, Feel, Change” approach that fuels action by sparking emotion and using the power of storytelling and peer-to-peer connections to create powerful, heartfelt associations. 2. First up is the film equipment you will use to tell your stories. Using film equipment to capture close-up shots and nuanced expressions allows filmmakers to convey the depth of their subjects' emotions, creating a bridge of empathy and understanding between the audience and the individuals featured in the story. This visual intimacy invites viewers to step into the shoes of others, fostering a deeper emotional connection and insight into diverse human experiences. They will learn more as they move through the project and develop their films.

DSLR FILM KIT:

Tell students that they will now watch a video about their DSLR Camera.�

*Prior to use of the film kit: model assembly and disassembly and have students practice assembly and disassembly as much as time allows; use the film equipment overview provided in the kit as a guide to components and usage for each component.

�

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TRIPLE TAKE_LESSON ONE_GEAR, STORY, INTERVIEW

PLANNING YOUR STORY

MAPPING OUT YOUR STORY

STORYBOARD EXAMPLE

STORYBOARD TEMPLATE

TEACHER NOTES:

STATE: Planning your film with a focus on diverse perspectives encourages empathy and understanding by deliberately creating stories that will appeal to a wide audience. These techniques also allow viewers to see the world through someone else's eyes and help foster a deeper appreciation for the richness of human experience.

There are documents you will need in your groups in order to map out the story you wish to tell through film. The assigned writer(s) of your group should complete these documents with input from all group members. You only need ONE form completed per group. Let’s briefly review these forms you will complete.�*Reminder: have the dissemination and repository plan pre-arranged with the class for all documents.

Review the mapping out your story protocol questions: storytruthspbllesson3questionaire_051923.pdf this document will be completed first.

Review the storyboard example. emphasize that the drawings are very basic and that students should not spend much time on the actual drawings. stick figures and very basic outlines of images are okay and recommended. StoryTruthsPBLLesson6StoryboardExample_051923.pdf

Review the blank storyboard template quickly instructing students that they will finish this document after the mapping a plan document is done. StoryTruthsPBLLesson6StoryboardTemplate_051923.pdf

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TRIPLE TAKE_LESSON ONE_GEAR, STORY, INTERVIEW

INTERVIEWING TIPS & TECHNIQUES

How to Prepare for an Interview

Always prepare your questions in advance. Write them down.
Always ask questions that will result in answers that are complete sentences or ideas.

For Example: Never ask questions that can be answered by saying either Yes or No.
Ask questions that start with "Why do you like..."
Ask questions that start with "How do you think that happened..."
Ask questions that start with "What was the reason..."

�How to Conduct a Good Interview

Be a good listener. Listen closely to your interviewee's answers. Make eye contact. Try to have a conversation rather than just asking a list of questions
Finish your question prior to the interviewee answering the question
Wait to ask a question until the person you are interviewing is finished talking.
Always respond non-verbally to the person you are interviewing while they are talking. Avoid saying "Uh huh," "yeah," "OK," etc.

TEACHER NOTES:

*Option: Teacher can provide these listed tips and techniques on a display for students during the unit or a separate handout for future referral.

STATE: Let’s also take a look at interviewing, as there are some basic tips that help people conduct interviews that support the story you want to tell. Why is this important? Mastering interviewing techniques in film, such as asking open-ended questions and actively listening, enables filmmakers to delve deeper into their subjects' experiences and perspectives. It will make their film more authentic and will help encourage both the interviewer and the audience to connect with the subject on a human level.

REVIEW THE FOLLOWING TIPS AND TECHNIQUES FOR GOOD INTERVIEWS:

How to Prepare for an Interview
Always prepare your questions in advance. Write them down. You don’t have to follow the written questions, but it’s good to have them as a guide for your interview or a reminder of what you wanted to ask.
Always ask questions that will result in answers that are complete sentences or ideas.
For Example: Never ask questions that can be answered by saying either Yes or No.
Ask questions that start with "Why do you like..."
Ask questions that start with "How do you think that happened..."
Ask questions that start with "What was the reason..."

How to Conduct a Good Interview
Be a good listener. Listen closely to your interviewee's answers. Make eye contact. Try to have a conversation rather than just asking a list of questions. People respond better to someone who truly listens to them, not someone who asks one question and moves onto the next one with-out hearing the answer. Stay quiet because you don’t want your voice or movements “stepping on” their answers.

(EXTRA TIP: Ask your interviewer to use some of your question in their answer to avoid half-sentence responses or answers that begin with because)

Make sure that the person you are interviewing waits to start answering the questions until after you finish asking the question. There must be a space of silence between your questions and their answers.
Make sure that you wait to ask a question until the person you are interviewing is finished talking.
Always respond non-verbally to the person you are interviewing while they are talking. Avoid saying "Uh huh," "yeah," "OK," etc.
Maintain eye contact and nod but avoid responding as you would in a regular conversation unless you want your response to be part of the documentary.

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TRIPLE TAKE_LESSON ONE_GEAR, STORY, INTERVIEW

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RECAP

What’s Due by Session 2?

PRACTICE AND KNOW YOUR KIT

COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING PROTOCOLS:

MAPPING OUT YOUR STORY

STORYBOARD TEMPLATES

TEACHER NOTES:

Between lesson 1 and 2 (recommended students have minimum 3 class periods in between lessons so they can have work time) students will complete:

Understanding and exploring their film kit with teacher guidance and monitoring. Kits: Assembly, Disassembly and Usage.

The assigned production group writer(s) will record (with their group members input) on their electronic copy or printed copy the following:
The Mapping Out Your Story Protocol: StoryTruthsPBLLesson3Questionaire_051923.pdf
The Storyboard Template: StoryTruthsPBLLesson6StoryboardTemplate_051923.pdf

STATE (CLOSING): Reflect on how each frame you capture, story you weave, and question you ask can be a mirror to the soul, not just telling your story, but also showing the empathy and understanding you hold for your subjects. How will your project reflect this? Think about this question as you complete the assignments.