GETTING INTO CHARACTER: Exploring Story and Character Using Drama and Role Play overview During Unit 1, Years 7 & 8 met each other for the first time and explored the ‘whats’: • What are themes of transition (change, friendship, being yourself) in ‘DOAWK’? • What is film language and what are filmmaking tools used for? Unit 2 uses drama and role-play techniques to consolidate collaboration begun in the last ‘contact’ session and take pupils deeper into exploring the ‘hows’? • How can I approach my own/others’ transitions? • How might filmmakers bring characters and stories in texts to life in moving image? UNIT 2: Exploring Story and Character Using Drama and Role Play (THEMES AROUND TRANSITIONS) Joint drama and role play session at host school ACTIVITY TIME MEET ICEBREAKERS: Choose from unit 1 pages 18 & 19 10 min 2.1 RECAP & DISCUSS RECAP: ‘FREEZE! DOAWK in 30 secs’ c. 25 min 2.1.2 DISCUSS: identifying the issues (whole group) Short: 5 min Long: 10-15 min 10 min 2.2 EXPLORING CHARACTERS & ROLES EXPLORE: ‘Characters In The Hot Seat’: 2.2.1 Getting To Know You School Yearbook Interview 2.3 PITCH 2.3 ‘Pitch Perfect’ (Into to Pre-Production) 30 min TOTAL TIME: Short Session: c.1h 40min Long Session: c. 1h 50min 2 20 min GETTING INTO CHARACTER: Exploring Story and Character Using Drama and Role Play UNIT AIMS The overall aim of this unit is two-fold: • to address pupils’ awareness of self and others (through exploring characters and their roles in the story/how the issues characters face relate to pupils themselves) • to gain insight into developing stories and characters for screen (through collaborating and presenting a ‘pitch’) To facilitate teachers to: To allow pupils to: address strategies for: starting anew, friendship, meeting new people, having confidence and making the right choices demonstrate understanding of issues around ‘Transitions’ through awareness of self and others work collaboratively effectively (in groups or pairs) provide opportunities to assess pupils’ communication skills demonstrate communication skills develop critical thinking around film themes, roles & language use film language and investigate how an idea is developed for screen UNIT YEAR 7 & 8 CURRICULUM LINKS Year 7 Year 8 Language and Literacy Supporting / developing: understanding, interaction, expression, thinking, learning, enjoyment, personal growth English with Media Education Objective 1 Developing Pupils As Individuals Objective 2 Developing Pupils As Contributors To Society PD & MU Learning For Life And Work Skills & Capabilities: Communication - Skills & Capabilities: Communication - • • Learning to Learn Feelings and Emotions Talking & Listening; Reading; Writing Personal Development – Self Awareness; Relationships Talking & Listening; Reading; Writing 3 GETTING INTO CHARACTER: Exploring Story and Character Using Drama and Role Play 2.1: RECAP & DISCUSS (2.1.1 FREEZE! Activities & 2.1.2 DISCUSS Transition) ABOUT Unit 2 aims to encourage Year 7 & 8 pupils to mix, work together and share as they explore storytelling in film through investigating character and roles. Using drama and activities requiring co-operation and communication, pupils will understand how themes of change, friendship and being ourselves relate to them and others. 2.1.1 Recap: ‘Freeze! DOAWK in 30 secs’ and ‘Frozen Picture Show’ Learning IntentionsPupils should have opportunities to PRIMARY LANGUAGE AND LITERACY (KS2) Talking and Listening BOTH COMMUNICATION - Talking and Listening Listen to and take part in discussions, explanations, role-plays and presentations Learning Outcomes – Pupils should be able to § • Tell, re-tell and interpret stories based on memories, personal experiences, literature, imagination and the content of the curriculum • Improvise a scene based on experience, imagination, literature, media and/or curricular topics Use non-verbal methods to express ideas and engage with the listener • Listen attentively / listen to and identify relevant information and ideas; develop a role / make relevant contributions in different roles • Use non-verbal methods to maintain the interest of the listener 2.1.2 Discuss Transition Learning IntentionsPupils should have opportunities to Learning Outcomes – Pupils should be able to BOTH COMMUNICATION - Talking and Listening • Contribute comments, ask questions and respond to others’ points of view 4 • Listen attentively / listen to and identify relevant information and ideas; develop a role / make relevant contributions in different roles GETTING INTO CHARACTER: Exploring Story and Character Using Drama and Role Play 2.1: RECAP & DISCUSS (2.1.1 FREEZE! Activities & 2.1.2 DISCUSS Transition) PRIMARY continued LANGUAGE AND LITERACY (KS2) Talking and Listening POST PRIMARY LANGUAGE AND LITERACY: ENGLISH WITH MEDIA EDUCATION - Objective 1 Developing pupils as individuals Key Element: Mutual Understanding • Explore and respond to others’ emotions as encountered in the film and peer discussion (e.g. role play, empathise with someone whose experience is different from their own BOTH COMMUNICATION - Talking and Listening • Listen to and take part in discussions, explanations, role-plays and presentations • Improvise a scene based on experience, imagination, literature, media and/or curricular topics • Work effectively with others • Listen attentively / listen to and identify relevant information and ideas; develop a role / make relevant contributions in different roles 2.1.1 ‘FREEZE! ‘DOAWK’ in 30 seconds’ & FROZEN PICTURE SHOW (c. 25 min total)- drama exercise to build on collaborative work and recap on key themes and events in the film. Note: • • You will need a room with adequate space for pupils to divide into small groups and move around to create ‘freeze frames’ of key moments in the movie. Guide pupils into evenly mixed Year 7 & 8 groups of 5-6 pupils, following teacher resource 2.1.1 ‘FREEZE! ‘Diary of A Wimpy Kid in 30 seconds’. 2.1.2 DISCUSS: Whole Group (short: 5 mins) What stops the characters from transitioning easily from one school to another? Quick discussion point: pupils should pair&share for 2-3mins, then using a ‘show of hands’ share answers with the whole group. 2.1.2 DISCUSS: Whole Group (long: 10 - 15 mins) As above, but after viewing selected clips from film showing difficulties of main characters Clips: Teachers/leader’s own choice resources • Icebreakers ‘How To’ Sheets • Teacher resource 2.1.1 ‘FREEZE! ‘Diary of a Wimpy Kid in 30 seconds’ & 2.2 ‘Characters In The Hotseat!’ • Pupil worksheet 2.2 ‘Characters In The Hotseat!’ • *Optional: source clips for 2.1.2 discussion 5 GETTING INTO CHARACTER: Exploring Story and Character Using Drama and Role Play 2.1: RECAP & DISCUSS (2.1.1 FREEZE! Activities & 2.1.2 DISCUSS Transition) ABOUT This is a creative way to refresh pupils’ memories of the film using a drama technique called ‘Frozen Image’, and introduces characterisation. aimS • Reminding pupils of the film’s key characters, messages, and themesespecially if time has passed since the last session. • Actively recreating a still image from the movie helps pupils to: (i) work together, (ii) think about the film visually. Also introduces drama and characterisation techniques that will be built on in ‘hotseating’ activity 2.2. • Encouraging communication and getting pupils working with others outside their peer group / mixing school groups together. SUGGESTION: play 2 icebreaker games to begin each joint session (year7 & 8 pupils together)...(10-15mins, depending on the size of combined schools’ group see ‘Icebreakers How To’ Sheet) 6 GETTING INTO CHARACTER: Exploring Story and Character Using Drama and Role Play 2.1: RECAP & DISCUSS (2.1.1 FREEZE! Activities & 2.1.2 DISCUSS Transition) 2.1.1 FREEZE! Diary of a Wimpy Kid in 30 seconds challenge! (15 mins) With pupils divided into smaller groups (5 – 6 pupils), of evenly distributed year 7 and 8 pupils: *ALTERNATIVE: If time is short, or if there is a large group (more than 30): • Each group can choose to create one Frozen Image which they think represents the film. • Allocate each group a space in the room (they will need room to move around a bit). • Give each group a few short minutes to quickly come up with 3 scenes which stand out for them- 1 each from the beginning, middle and end of the film. • Ask them to create ‘Frozen Images’ (photographs, or stills) of each of their chosen scenes in only 10 minutes. These will be performed for the whole group. • Pupils should think about who the characters were, what they were doing and how they were feeling. • They can use characters and scenes from throughout the film, and are not restricted to acting out one particular scene. • Pupils can think about what was the most important theme in the film for them (friendship / changing school / being true to yourself / etc.) and make a single image of a scene related to that to show to the other groups. there’s a catch!... • Everyone in the group is to be involved in each of the ‘Freezes’. • The ‘freeze frame challenge’ is to show the theme / scene without speaking! FROZEN PICTURE SHOW! (c.10 mins, depending on size of whole group) • The groups have a short time each to demo their Frozen Pictures- the others must guess what part of the film the scene is from, or what the theme was. • After all groups have shown their Frozen Images, teachers/leaders should ask the whole group if there was anything else in the film that they think was important, that wasn’t shown? 7 GETTING INTO CHARACTER: Exploring Story and Character Using Drama and Role Play 2.2 CHARACTERS IN THE HOTSEAT! (2.2.1 Getting To Know You & 2.2.2 School Yearbook Interview) ‘Hotseating’ is a drama technique where a character is questioned and answers in role. It is a way of investigating the thoughts and feelings of characters in detail. Hotseating is useful in exploring issues arising in the film and helping pupils to relate them to their own experiences in the safety of ‘being a character’. 2.2.1 Characters In The Hotseat: Getting To Know You Learning IntentionsPupils should have opportunities to Learning Outcomes – Pupils should be able to § PRIMARY LANGUAGE AND LITERACY (KS2) Talking and Listening • Listen and respond to a range of fiction, poetry, drama and media texts through the use of traditional and digital resources • Participate in a range of drama activities across the curriculum 2.2.1 continued Characters In The Hotseat: Getting To Know You Learning IntentionsPupils should have opportunities to Learning Outcomes – Pupils should be able to PRIMARY continued LANGUAGE AND LITERACY (KS2) Talking and Listening POST PRIMARY LANGUAGE AND LITERACY: ENGLISH WITH MEDIA EDUCATION - Objective 1 Developing pupils as individuals Key Element: Mutual Understanding Explore and respond to others’ emotions as encountered in the film and peer discussion (e.g. role play, empathise with someone whose experience is different from their own BOTH COMMUNICATION - Talking and Listening Listen to and take part in discussions, explanations, role-plays and presentations 8 • Improvise a scene based on experience, imagination, literature, media and/or curricular topics • Work effectively with others • Listen attentively / listen to and identify relevant information and ideas; develop a role / make relevant contributions in different roles GETTING INTO CHARACTER: Exploring Story and Character Using Drama and Role Play 2.2 CHARACTERS IN THE HOTSEAT! (2.2.1 Getting To Know You & 2.2.2 School Yearbook Interview) 2.2.2 Characters In The Hotseat: School Yearbook Interview Learning IntentionsPupils should have opportunities to PRIMARY LANGUAGE AND LITERACY (KS2) Talking and Listening BOTH COMMUNICATION - Talking and Listening Listen to and take part in discussions, explanations, role-plays and presentations Learning Outcomes – Pupils should be able to • Participate in a range of drama activities across the curriculum • Listen attentively / listen to and identify relevant information and ideas; develop a role / make relevant contributions in different roles 2.2.1 CHARACTERS IN THE HOTSEAT: – Getting To Know You (10 min) In small groups, pupils will investigate the thoughts and feelings of a character (and develop on awareness of self, others and filmmaking begun in unit 1) by answering questions in role. Groups should note down their answers on Pupil worksheet 2.2. 2.2.2 CHARACTERS IN THE HOTSEAT: School Yearbook Interview (Total: 20 min) This time, pupils go a little deeper into the characterisation by having the ‘character’ answer questions which ask them to reflect on their feelings (see Pupil worksheet 2.2). One of ‘each character’ then takes the hotseat, supported by ‘Team Rowley / Angie’ etc. •Prep in same small groups: 5 min. • Hotseat in wider group: 15 min for every character to take a turn. NOTE • You will need a room with adequate space for pupils to divide into small, independent groups. • Guide pupils into evenly mixed Year 7 & 8 groups of 4-6 pupils (following the teacher resource 2.2 ‘Characters In The Hotseat!’) & distribute 1 pupil worksheet 2.2 and pen per group. resources • Teacher resource 2.2 ‘Characters In The Hotseat!’ • Pupil worksheet 2.2 ‘Characters In The Hotseat!’ 9 GETTING INTO CHARACTER: Exploring Story and Character Using Drama and Role Play 2.2.1 CHARACTERS IN THE HOTSEAT: Getting To Know You… & 2.2.2 CHARACTERS IN THE HOTSEAT: School Yearbook Interview 2.2.1 CHARACTERS IN THE HOTSEAT: Getting To Know You… (10 min) • In smaller groups (4 – 6), allocate each group a different character from the film: Greg; Rowley, Fregley, Patty, Angie, Roderick and Shirag. • Give each group the pupil worksheet 2.2 ‘Characters In The Hotseat!’ and a pen to write down key words. • Explain that they must work as a group to quickly note on the worksheet everything they remember about the character from the film. • One person from the group is chosen/agrees to act as the character for the hotseating exercise, the rest of the group taking/sharing roles as interviewers, scribes/investigating journalists (and if you wish have cameras- photographers). things to note 2.2.2 CHARACTERS IN THE HOTSEAT: School Yearbook Interview (Total: 20 min) This time, pupils go a little deeper into the characterisation by having the ‘character’ answer questions which ask them to reflect on their feelings: Task: It is the end of the school year. You are being interviewed for the online school yearbook. The ‘journalists’ have emailed their list of questions for you to answer…(see pupil worksheet ‘Characters In The Hotseat’) Group Prep: 5 min • If the same ‘character’ was allocated to more than one group, all groups allocated the same characters should join together “All Rowleys should work together here, all Angies should team up over there…” etc. • Groups have 5 min to prepare 1 Rowley, Patty, Greg etc each to hit the hotseat (encourage a mix of year 7s & 8s to take the hotseat). Atmosphere: welcoming & safe- so pupils feel comfortable being in character and answering the questions truthfully. Answers: don’t have to be funny or clever – just honest. Professional writers worked for months getting Greg and Rowley to be funny! Accents/presence: no need to worry about accents, physicality or costume. In The Hotseat: 15 min • One at a time, each character sits on a chair in front of the other groups, with the rest of their group standing behind them. • Invite the character to introduce him/herself to the group. (“Hi, I’m Greg”) • The teacher, or a nominated pupil, asks the hotseated character the questions (with everyone else helping / listening out for the answer so they can prompt him/her if they get stuck!) • If there is time, there could be questions from the audience. 10 GETTING INTO CHARACTER: Exploring Story and Character Using Drama and Role Play PUPIL WORKSHEET 2.2 CHARACTERS IN THE HOTSEAT! 2.2.1 CHARACTERS IN THE HOTSEAT: Getting To Know You…(10 mins) Give each of the groups a piece of paper and a pen to write down key words to answer the questions below. Explain that they will be working as a group to quickly collate all the information they remember about the character from the film, including: • Name, age, family, friends? • What were they like at the beginning of the film? • What happened to them during the film? • How were they different at the end? • What did they learn during the film? • Why did they act the way they did in the film? • How did they feel about themselves? 2.2.2 CHARACTERS IN THE HOTSEAT: School Yearbook Interview (Prep: 5 min / Hotseat: 15 min for every character to take a turn) • Everyone else takes turns to ask questions & listen extra carefully for the answers • (incase the character needs your help answering in the hotseat). • It is the end of the school year and one character is being interviewed for the online school yearbook- answer as truthfully as you can: 1. What was the best thing that happened to you this year? (e.g. “The best thing was making friends with Rowley again after our falling out.”) 2. What was the worst thing that happened to you this year? 3. What was it like changing schools? 4. What did you learn about yourself? 5. What advice would you give to students coming to the school next year? 6. What do you want other people to know about you / ‘quote me!’? 11 GETTING INTO CHARACTER: Exploring Story and Character Using Drama and Role Play PUPIL WORKSHEET 2.2 CHARACTERS IN THE HOTSEAT! 2.2.1 CHARACTERS IN THE HOTSEAT: GETTING TO KNOW YOU… Note down all the information your group remembers about your characters from watching and discussing the film e.g. NAME, AGE, FAMILY, FRIENDS? WHAT DID THEY LEARN DURING THE FILM? WHAT WERE THEY LIKE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE FILM? WHY DID THEY ACT THE WAY THEY DID IN THE FILM? WHAT HAPPENED TO THEM DURING THE FILM? HOW DID THEY FEEL ABOUT THEMSELVES? HOW WERE THEY DIFFERENT AT THE END? 2.2.2 CHARACTERS IN THE HOTSEAT: SCHOOL YEARBOOK INTERVIEW • Everyone should take a turn to ask a question and listen carefully for the answers (in case the character needs your help in the hotseat). • It is the end of the school year and one character is being interviewed for the online school year book – answer as truthfully as you can: PROMPT QUESTIONS What was the best thing that happened to you this year? (e.g. “The best thing was making friends with Rowley again after our falling out.”) What was the worst thing that happened to you this year? What was it like changing schools? What did you learn about yourself? What advice would you give to students coming to the school next year? What do you want other people to know about you / ‘quote me!’? 12 GETTING INTO CHARACTER: Exploring Story and Character Using Drama and Role Play 2.3 PITCH PERFECT demonstrating story through themes, characters and roles The aim here is for pupils to think creatively and problem solve in collaboration. Developing ‘the pitch’ will see pupils consolidate/demonstrate their knowledge by: • making choices about the most important things to include and communicate around the ‘Transition’ theme. • devising and presenting a fast paced, edited synopsis of their ‘film’. • explaining their idea through film language. 2.3 Pitch Perfect Learning IntentionsPupils should have opportunities to PRIMARY PDMU - Learning To Learn • Know how to confidently express our views and opinions in unfamiliar circumstances 2.3 continued Pitch Perfect Learning IntentionsPupils should have opportunities to PRIMARY continued PDMU - Feelings And Emotions • Recognise that feelings may change at times of change and loss LANGUAGE AND LITERACY (KS2) Talking and Listening Reading POST PRIMARY LLW - Personal Development Investigate the influences on a young person e.g peer pressure, fears, anxieties LANGUAGE AND LITERACY: ENGLISH WITH MEDIA EDUCATION - Objective 3 Developing pupils as contributors to the economy and environment 13 Learning Outcomes – Pupils should be able to § • (Think, Pair, Share) Show Self-Management: Evaluate what they have learned and compare their approaches with others; make links between their learning in different contexts Learning Outcomes – Pupils should be able to • Be creative: Learn from and build on own and others’ ideas and experiences; value other people’s ideas; experiment with different modes of thinking • Share, respond to and evaluate ideas, arguments and points of view and use evidence or reason to justify opinions, actions or proposals • Represent their understanding of *texts in a range of ways, including visual, oral, dramatic and digital • Communicate effectively in oral, visual, written and ICT formats, showing clear awareness of audience and purpose GETTING INTO CHARACTER: Exploring Story and Character Using Drama and Role Play 2.3 PITCH PERFECT demonstrating story through themes, characters and roles POST PRIMARY Key element: Education for Sustainable Development• Plan and create an effective communication campaign BOTH COMMUNICATION - Talking and Listening • Listen to and take part in discussions, explanations, role-plays and presentations • Communicate information, ideas, opinions, feelings and imaginings, using an expanded vocabulary • Speak clearly and adapt ways of speaking to audience and situation BOTH Using ICT e.g. *Teachers could extend 2.3 Pitch Perfect by having pupils record and edit their pitches (KS2: Film and Animation; KS3: Working With Moving Images) • Listen attentively / listen to and identify relevant information and ideas; develop a role / make relevant contributions in different roles • Explain information, ideas and opinions clearly / communicate detailed information clearly, using precise vocabulary • Plan an approach to talking / structure their talk logically and coherently PREP YOUR PITCH- Explain the task (20mins) Using the ‘Pitch Perfect!’ worksheets for activity 2.3 pupils should work together to make their pitch perfect! • Pupils should work in small, mixed groups on this activity. • Teacher/leader should briefly discuss the ‘pitch’ task, explaining that it brings together all the knowledge and skills they’ve gained on ‘Transitions’ so far. • Pupils must work together at speed to devise their pitch- which will be presented to other groups in only 20mins’ time! The pitch follows the 4 parts of the review (as in Activity 1.3), this should help pupils work quickly and focus on collaboration/ideas rather than worrying about structure (making it even safer for the ‘pitcher’ to present). THE PITCH (c. 10 mins total) Smaller numbers of pupils: • When 20 mins is up, 1 pitcher from each group presents their idea to everyone. • Each pitcher has 1 minute to present (using their sheet as a prompt) • The audience should pretend to be the investors and the teacher/leader should ask them to point out one good thing about each pitch. Larger numbers of pupils: • When 20 mins is up, 1 pitcher is agreed for each group. • 2-3 smaller groups should then join into a larger one, with the pitchers taking turns to present. • Each pitcher has 1 minute to present (using their sheet as a prompt) • The wider group should pretend to be the investors and the teacher/ leader should ask them to point out one good thing about each pitch. 14 resources ‘PITCH PERFECT!’ Pupil Worksheets & pen for each group GETTING INTO CHARACTER: Exploring Story and Character Using Drama and Role Play pupil worksheet 2.3: pitch perfect coming up with a story (pre-Production) PITCH PERFECT Your director has come up with a movie title to pitch to a group of investors and he/she’s asked you, the Production Team, to work out the details… A couple of obstacles: The investors are busy people- they’re only allowing a 1 - minute pitch. One big problem- time! 1. Introduce: Title of Movie: “Shifting Schools- The Survival Guide!” Name of Production Team: Inform: audience: who is this story aimed at? what certificate will it be? 15 GETTING INTO CHARACTER: Exploring Story and Character Using Drama and Role Play pupil worksheet 2.3: pitch perfect coming up with a story (pre-Production) PITCH PERFECT 2. Describe: What’s it all about? (summarise what will happen in c. 20 words!) More Info: Tell us more about… key characters key theme(s) 3. Entertain: How will the story engage the audience? (e.g. will it be funny? sad? both?!) 4. Evaluate (your idea): …one last line to leave them no choice but to invest in the idea!!! Why does this story matter/need to be told? / Why will this idea work?- in c. 20 words! 16 Further training/support for schools For further information about teacher training and support to extend your Transitions programme through exploring assessable creative digital media and cross-curricular skills, e.g. CCEA Using ICT, contact Maura McKee (Programme Manager, Nerve Centre Creative Learning Centre) on (028) 7126 0562 or [email protected] The NI Creative Learning Centres The Creative Learning Centres deliver training, guidance and resources to over 5000 teachers and 7000 young people each year across Northern Ireland. Funded by the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure and Northern Ireland Screen, the CLCs work out of the Nerve Centre in Derry~Londonderry, Nerve Belfast and the AMMA Centre in Armagh. The work of the CLCs can be viewed at www.futureclassrooms.org Launched in 2007, film clubs have been running in Northern Ireland for the past seven years in Extended Schools, funded by the Department of Culture through Northern Ireland Screen and delivered by Cinemagic and the Nerve Centre. Now, due to additional funding from the BFI, one of Northern Ireland’s most popular and exciting after schools activities for students aged 4-18 years old is available to all schools in Northern Ireland.
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