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Movie-in-a-minute

movie clapboardWhat does one do with a flirtatious, frisky, and fidgety group of 8th grade students?

Well, what would Spielberg do?

He would make a movie, that’s what.

So, the challenge: In three days’ time, form a production company, write a script, cast parts, rehearse, film, edit, and post a one-minute film.

But it can’t be just some advant-garde staring-at-a-blank-wall-because-I’m-so-darned-full-of ennui-thing. Oh, contraire, Pierre! Zat ees not sineemah! It must have EXPOSITION! CONFLICT! RISING ACTIONS! CLIMAX! And, of course, a serving of resolution and dénouement, YOU! So far, so good. Aside from a few teachers understandably and respectfully requesting the enthusiastic filmmakers quiet their oeuvres,production seemed to run fairly smoothly. From what I can tell, we’re going to run the gamut; everything from re-enactments, documentaries, random dancing, saloon brawls, you name it. It’s going to be grand.

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2 thoughts on “Movie-in-a-minute

  1. Thanks, Doyle – heck, I might even take his advice, write that screenplay and go Hollywood!

  2. Sounds like fun!

    I’ve been looking for a place to share this site, David Mamet explaining how to write good television drama.

    It’s not written for 8th graders, but a distilled form might help them. Thought you might enjoy it anyway….

    http://www.movieline.com/2010/03/david-mamets-memo-to-the-writers-of-the-unit.php

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