You Can Write a Movie! (Film School for Kids) (FLEX)
Class experience
US Grade 3 - 6
Beginner - Intermediate Level
Every great movie starts with a great script! This class is for students who want to work on developing a story that is worth telling. Learners will learn to develop a screenplay in much the same way as developing any type of writing. In this class, learners can either write from scratch or adapt a story they have already written. All writers will have the option to attend an online Table Read, where we will read our final scripts to the class. Week 1: What Kind of Movie Do You Want to...
3 units//6 lessons//6 Weeks
Unit 1Planning the ScreenplayPlanning the Screenplay3 lessons3 WeeksWeek 1Lesson 1What Kind of Movie Do You Want to Make?Writers will learn about movie genres and decide what type of movie to make.Week 2Lesson 2Story StructureWriters will organize their stories by plotting elements on a story mountain.Week 3Lesson 3One-Page StoryWriters will use their story outlines to write a one-page story that will inform their whole script.Unit 2Drafting Your ScreenplayDrafting Your Screenplay2 lessons2 WeeksWeek 4Lesson 4Screenplay FormatWriters will compare movie versions to the script version and write a first draft.Week 5Lesson 5Revising and EditingWriters will revise and edit their screenplays.Unit 3Revising and EditingRevising and Editing1 lesson1 WeekWeek 6Lesson 6Table ReadWriters will share their scripts by reading them out loud or having others read with them.
This class is taught in English.
This class will satisfy the following Common Core ELA standards: W.3a-e, W.4, W.5, W.6, and W.10 - Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences. - Orient the reader by establishing a situation and introducing characters; organize an event sequence that unfolds naturally. - Use dialogue and description to develop experiences and events or show the responses of characters to situations. - Use concrete words and phrases and sensory details to convey experiences and events precisely. - Provide a conclusion that follows from the narrated experiences or events. - Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development and organization are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. - Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, and editing. - Use technology to produce and publish writing as well as to interact and collaborate with others.
I have taught the writing process in my 3rd and 4th grade classes and adapted them for a filmmaking club at my former school. Prior to becoming a teacher, I had worked on a few independent films and attended film school.
Homework Offered
There will be writing homework for every lesson except for Lesson 1. Lesson 1 homework is more of a shift in mindset when watching movies. Students will be encouraged to see movies as mentors for their own writing, that they can pick up ideas from.1 - 2 hours per week outside of class
Assessments Offered
- Writers will be given feedback on their work for each lesson before the next week. - Feedback will be given to all final projects. - Final grades available upon request.Grades Offered
If not using a word processing program like Google Docs or Word, students will want to have a dedicated notebook.
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Kahoot will be used for this class. Learners will not need an account. I will share templates through Google Docs. Learners can convert these to Word or use the templates as a guide in for how to organize their work in a dedicated notebook.
Welcome! I am Dana Leon, AKA The Movie Kids Guide™. I am a certified teacher, professional editor, and author of The Movie Kids book series. I love to create fun, engaging lessons that are accessible for all learners. Check out The Movie Kids...
Flex Class
$17
weekly or $100 for 6 weeks6 weeks
Completed by 12 learners
No live video meetings
Ages 8-12