Suspense Unit 7 Suspense and Script Writing Our

Suspense Unit 7 Suspense and Script Writing

Our Unit § Vocabulary words § Stage Crew § Suspense § Stage Directions § Scene Analysis § Scene Writing

What is Suspense?

Answer § Suspense - A state of mental uncertainty or excitement, as in awaiting a decision or outcome, usually with great anxiety.

Activity §Please underline the main words/ideas in the definition of suspense.

Main Ideas § Suspense - A state of mental uncertainty or excitement, as in awaiting a decision or outcome, usually with great anxiety.

Uncertainty and Anxiety

Warm Up- Suspenseful Object § Students will stand in the mingle zone § A mysterious “object” will be passed around the circle § Each actor will react to the object using gestures and facial expressions

Let’s Brainstorm § In your notes, think of three bullet points of a situation that might cause suspense for characters in a play.

Ideas and Examples § Mysterious noises around a campfire § An unidentified and creepy looking object discovered in the home § Encountering a strange tree while walking through the woods § An odd looking caped figure crossing a dark path

3 Elements of Suspense . Environments § 2. Characters § 3. Actions § 1

What Happens Next? § Analyze the following pictures and decide why they are suspenseful and what might happen next.

Suspenseful Environment

Suspenseful Action/Events

Suspenseful Characters

Activity § Students will get into groups of 3 § Each group will be given one element of suspense § They group will create a scene using one of the specific elements

Let’s Review Day 3 §Suspense can be created in three ways. What are they?

Answer § 1. Environments § 2. Actions/events § 3. Characters

Stage Crew Definition Day § The stage crew is the team of production members who handle the activity on the stage. They are truly the behind the scenes workers, that keep the show running smoothly.

Partner Brainstorm § With your partner, think of three things a stage crew member does during a performance. § Write down your three ideas.

Change Sets from This…

To this in the Blink of an Eye

Organize the Props

Open and Close the Curtain

Properties § Properties- Properties are commonly referred to as props. Props are the articles used in a play to bring it to life. § Gadgets, household items, virtually anything can be used as a prop on stage.

Stage Props

Activity § We are going to watch a short video clip from the original Dracula movie, starring Bela Lugosi.

§ https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=l. H 2 LF Zbw 8 qk

Let’s Create a Stage § We are going to stage the next scene. § You must complete the following…

Complete the Following – 40 Points § 1. Draw a thrust stage with the audience on three sides: bird’s eye view § 2. Place and label at least 5 sets on an angle § 4. Place and label at least 5 props § 5. Add plenty of details to the scene § Explain on the back of the paper how the staging will look and how your stage will be brought to life.

Quiz Friday § Properties § Sets § Stage Crew § Suspense § Stage Directions

Question Day 4 How does a director tell an actor where to stand on the stage, when the director is blocking a scene? Does she say, “Scoot to the right a little? ” No!

How Actors Move § All actors are aware of a imaginary grid on the stage. This grid helps everyone move to the exact position they are needed.

Stage Directions Grid

Creepy Abby Crypt § Actors will work in a group of three. § One actor will play the director, blocking the scene. The director faces the stage. § The other two actors will stand off stage, until the director tells them where to stand. § Each actor will move to a specific place on the ‘stage’ based on the grid we have learned.

Dracula Scene Due Wednesday § Continue to work on your Dracula Scene § Remember, you need 5 labeled sets and 5 labeled props. § Scenes must be completed in color § On the back of your paper, write your name and list at least five steps for the stage crew to set up your scene.

Review: Day 5 § Each of these create suspense in some way: § 1. characters § 2. environments § 3. actions

Example of Suspense § We are going to watch a sample of how a familiar movie, Mary Poppins, can be made to be suspenseful by using the three elements of suspense. As you watch think of 1. A suspenseful character 2. A suspenseful environment 3. A suspenseful action Briefly describe in your notes how each is suspenseful

Mary Poppins § https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=2 T 5_ 0 AGd. Fic

Ideas § Environment - The foggy path § Action – Getting swooped up the chimney § Character- Mary Poppins flying with her umbrella

Script Day 6 § We are going to read an excerpt from the script, “Dracula”. § Remember, this is simply a scene, not the entire play. § We will analyze the suspenseful elements of the play, then create our own next scene. § First let’s watch another scene.

Dracula § https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=o_NH_5 Pvu 8

Assignment – 40 Points § Students will now write a continuation of Dracula. § The script will include: § 1. Five more props. Underline them in your script. § 2. Five stage directions for the actors in parentheses. For example: (Seward moves down right with his head in his hands. ) § 3. At least two characters with dialogue § 5. A continuation of one of the elements of suspense: character, environment, or action. § 6. You are not finishing the play, you are simply continuing an new scene Act II. § 7. Your script is two pages, single spaced.

Quiz Tomorrow § § § 1. Definition of suspense 2. How can suspense be created? 3. Props/sets 4. Stage crew jobs 5. Stage direction grid 6. Why does the grid not work on an arena stage?

Rubric for Script: 40 Points § ____/10 Stage directions (using the grid) present throughout the script. § ____/10 At least one element of suspense is building, continuing the Dracula plot. 2 pages. § ____ /10 Dialogue between characters § ____ /10 Five props. Proper formatting §.

Remember § You are only writing a mini-scene, rather than an entire play. Be sure your scene has each ingredient included in the rubric. § Once your outline is complete, begin to write your introduction paragraph describing the stage for your scene.

Partner Check § Students will swap their mini-script with their home base partner. § Partners will fill out a rubric and provide feedback as to the progress of the quality of the script. § Use your partner’s advice to improve your script. § 2 pages (fronts only)

Acting out a Scene § Actors will make groups to act out the original scene and an added scene. § The group will select their favorite added scene to perform.

Script Order Tomorrow § 1. Three peer edit sheets § 2. Rough draft § 3. Final draft

Requirements § A 16 line poem that rhymes § The poem will highlight what the volunteer did for our production The poem should feel very personalized You will work with one partner and present the poem at our volunteer appreciation event

Requirements for Scene § § § 1. About 90 seconds 2. Group of 5 3. Showcase the bloopers and behind the scenes of our show. § 4. Do not hurt anyone’s feelings. Be silly, but not unkind. § 5. Be very clear. Remember, some adults may not understand the details. You must fill in the blanks. § 6. The winning group will perform for our Volunteer Appreciation Event. The class will vote for best scene.

Audition Instructions § § § § 1. Relax! We are here to support you. 2. Fill out THREE judges forms with your name. 3. Keep your number until you are called. Give your number, parent signature, grades, and commitment statement to the judges, when you are called in. 4. State your name and grade before you give your monologue. 5. Sing ten lines of, “Can you feel the love tonight? ” after you finish your monologue. 4. Everybody stays until the last student has performed. 5. Auditions usually take one hour. 6. I will post a list in the window tomorrow after school.

Volunteers § § § 4. Appel reily 10. Shawn Weimer 21. Kurtz Family Sarah

Poem Requirements § § § 1. 12 lines that rhyme (stanzas) 2. A specific thank you 3. Typed and mounted on a border 4. Work with one partner 5. Will present at the ceremony

Jobs § § 1. Fold fabric 2. Put away frames 3. All make up and hair on one shelf 4. All Lion King items together