3-2-1 Vocabulary: Learning Filmmaking Vocabulary by Making Films

Materials and Technology

Student Interactives

Printouts

Websites

Preparation

 

MATERIALS AND TECHNOLOGY

• Digital video cameras (one camera per group of 3–5 students) capable of communicating with iMovie or Windows Movie Maker (some mini DV cameras will not upload files into these programs)
  
  
• Digital still cameras (optional, for use with Celtx software for creating a storyboard)
  
  
• Computers (one per student or one per group) with video editing software (iMovie or Windows Movie Maker) and printing capability
  
  
• Tripods for video cameras (recommended)
  
  
• LCD projector or document projector
  
  
• Smartboard or chart paper

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STUDENT INTERACTIVES

Grades   1 – 12  |  Student Interactive  |  Organizing & Summarizing

Plot Diagram

The Plot Diagram is an organizational tool focusing on a pyramid or triangular shape, which is used to map the events in a story. This mapping of plot structure allows readers and writers to visualize the key features of stories.

 

Grades   K – 12  |  Student Interactive  |  Organizing & Summarizing

Crossword Puzzles

This tool allows students to complete crossword puzzles on a variety of grade-appropriate topics, and also create and print their own crossword puzzles.

 

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PRINTOUTS

• Types of Shots
  
  
• Types of Angles
  
  
• Filmmaking Vocabulary Words
  
  
• Filmmaking Vocabulary Words With Definitions
  
  
• Sample Script
  
  
• Sample Storyboard
  
  
• Movie Project Planning Sheet
  
  
• Storyboards (optional)
  
  
• Filmmaking Rubric

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WEBSITES

• Celtx
• Let’s Make Movies: Extras—Support Materials
• Let’s Make Movies: Films
• Internet Movie Database (IMDb) Movie Terminology Glossary
• Glossary of Film Terms
• The “Grammar” of Television and Film
• Tips on Shooting Sequences
• Camera Shots Lesson
• Types of Video Transition
• Digital Video Editing Using Windows Movie Maker
• Tips for Using Movie Maker
• Tech-Ease: Video Tutorials

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PREPARATION

1. Pretest your video cameras to make sure they will communicate with iMovie or Windows Movie Maker. Some mini DV cameras will not upload files into editing programs. It is best to use either a camera that records on either a hard drive or mini DV tapes.
   
   
2. If you plan to use Celtx for scriptwriting, download the free program and go through the tutorials at http://celtx.com/walkthru/.
   
   
3. If necessary, schedule access to student computers for Sessions 2, 3, 5, 6, 9, and 10. If you use Celtx for Storyboarding, you will also need computers for Session 7.
   
   
4. Familiarize yourself with the materials on the following websites:
   
   
   • Let’s Make Movies: Extras—Support Materials (specifically the Movie Project Planning Sheet and Storyboards)
     
     
   • Internet Movie Database (IMDb) Movie Terminology Glossary
     
     
   • Glossary of Film Terms
     
     
   • The “Grammar” of Television and Film
     
     
   • Tips on Shooting Sequences
     
     
   • Camera Shots Lesson
     
     
   • Types of Video Transition
5. Review the terms on the Filmmaking Vocabulary Words printout.
   
   
6. For each student, make a copy of the Filmmaking Vocabulary Words printout, Types of Shots, Types of Angles, Sample Script, Movie Project Planning Sheet, and Sample Storyboard, and Storyboards (optional).
   
   
7. Familiarize yourself with the digital video editing program you will be using. For Windows Movie Maker, see Digital Video Editing Using Windows Movie Maker and Tips for Using Movie Maker.
   
   For iMovie, see Tech-Ease: Video Tutorials. On this site, first find the link for your version of iMovie. For example, on a Mac with the Snow Leopard operating system, you would be using iLife 09; select iMovie 09. If you are using an older version equipped with iMovieHD, go down to the iLife 06 section and click on iMovie HD. The newer versions appear as a star-shaped icon on your computer. The HD version appears as a clapboard icon.
   
   
8. Familiarize yourself with the ReadWriteThink tools used in this lesson.
   
   Plot Diagram
   
   Crossword Puzzles

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