Here’s a breakdown of the lesson:
Essential Question: How does point of view affect Death of a Salesman and The Glass Menagerie?
Challenge: Create a short film that captures a first person point of view that is not shown in the original production of the play
Learning Objectives: Identify moments in the play where point of view has a significant impact on the way the events are shown to the reader; understand how a different perspective would impact multiple elements within the play; understand how different characters might view the same event(s) in different ways
Filming Requirements included the following:
1. Video Length: 2-3 minutes max
2. Multi-angles/shots (e.g. close-ups; “confessional” style; documentary style; etc.)
3. Work in groups editing using WeVideo
4. Effects that enhance the point of view, such as music, themes, and voice overs.
Click here to view student short film sample
In addition to the film, students were required to provide a written portion that included textual evidence to support their choices regarding scene and perspective.
What worked about this assignment:
-The learning objectives were fully met (Students went back to the original text and closely reread scenes to determine which character’s point of view would have an effect on the “telling” of the events; students made changes to the original play based on the way a character might view or remember the events.)
-Overall, the students had to decide how a single character would recall events or “see” events unfold from their own perspective. In the sample film, the group decided to have Jim O’Connor recall the events to his now wife, Betty (to whom he reveals he’s engaged in the original play). They decided to have the student playing Jim hold the camera so we see the other characters (Amanda, Tom and Laura) through his eyes. They wanted to emphasize Laura’s nervousness and Amanda’s pushy nature as only Jim would see it. In addition, they use the idea of Jim talking to his wife as a way for him to reflect on those events. Here, I would have liked the students to go a bit further in terms of how he viewed that night with the Wingfields).
-The project was structured well throughout the whole process (e.g. students had to submit detailed story boards before moving forward with filming)
-The level of engagement was high. Once the students knew they were on the hook to create a meaningful and purposeful film about the novel, they dove right into the text and began the process of analysis.
-WeVideo was simple to use and the wireless signal was strong enough to support the editing process once the media was uploaded.
What can be improved next time:
-All students should have BYOD access, so any of them can film, publish, and share from their devices. Otherwise, they should upload media at home.
-More emphasis should be placed on the presentation component of their short film (i.e. students should prepare a formal treatment/breakdown of their films, which will help further demonstrate their understanding of the play and the approach they took in their interpretation.
-Filming with just an iPhone can yield average results with respect to audio. Quiet areas work best of using digital cameras.
Click here to view student short film sample