Final Exam turn in instructions and Extra Credit. Posted 5/20

 Final Exam Instructions

I hope you didn't wait till the last minute to do this, it could take some time.

You will need to take your project and convert it into an .MP4 or a .MOV file.

When the movie is finished exporting - it could take 5-10 minutes or more. It MUST have a .mov OR MP4 at the end of the final designation, ex. Reeves_Final.mov, if it does not look like that, you will need to do it again.

When it is finished, get to a file view mode that you can see how big the file is. It should be something like 40mb to 200mb. If you have something smaller than 30mb or something larger than 200mb, you have something wrong and it needs to redone properly.

Once that is done, you have three options that I am aware of to turn in your final exam.

1. THIS IS THE PREFERRED WAY TO TURN IN YOUR EXAM

You can get a thumb drive from me and download it there. Make sure you name it properly: Last Name_DM Final Exam

It needs to be a .mov or a .MP4 file

2. I WILL TAKE IT THIS WAY, BUT ONLY IF THERE IS VERY LITTLE TIME LEFT IN CLASS ON THE DAY OF THE FINAL - YOU MUST COME TELL ME IT IS THERE AND YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE IF I CANNOT WATCH IT BECAUSE YOU DIDN'T SHARE IT RIGHT - If I cannot watch it, the best grade you will get is a 50.

You can get it onto your Google Drive and share link with me via your Google Site. You will need to make sure you come tell me that it has been shared. Make sure you share it properly so that ANYONE WITH THE LINK CAN VIEW

3. THIS IS ACCEPTABLE AT ANY TIME - BUT YOU MUST COME UP AND TELL ME THAT YOU HAVE DONE THIS

Share a link to a YouTube channel where you have put your final exam. 

The criteria is pretty basic and getting something done will get you passing grades:

1. The video is between 60 and 90 seconds

2. You "tell a story" or "a sequence of events"

3. There is some sort of sound

4. There is someone in the film (an actor)

5. You must have turned in a storyboard and script/outline

6. It must have been shot away from school (-20 if you shoot on campus)

7. It must be in a form I can watch on my computer - see below for more information (-10 points if I have to watch it on your device)

This will get you at least a 70. Of course, quality is important, so the better the creation is, the higher the grade you will get, up to an 85.

To get a grade higher than 85, you need to bring in other elements, like a title, credits, still photos, or some sort of special effects. That portion of the grade is with up to 15 points.

EXTRA CREDIT

There are two separate ways to earn extra credit today. For each, I will do the following:

1. Add points to your final exam 

2. Add points to your overall semester grade

I will determine which will help you the most and apply it appropriately.

Here are the two assignments, you can do both, either or none, it is up to you:

1. Teacher letter – write a letter to an important teacher you had this year. You can choose anyone you want that is a member of the Bowie faculty and staff. I prefer that these are hand written, but I will take a digital version that I print. Make a new Google doc, title it Teacher Letter and share it with me. I will print these letters out, so you can put them in an envelope.  Please write at least 300 words. I must take this letter to your teachers!!

Write a greeting, paragraphs, a closing (Sincerely, or Yours, or Thank you) and your full name.  Tell them what they meant to you. Give specific examples and details!

If you need some help, here are some prompts:

“You might not know it, but…”

 “Even though you ________, I want you to know that _________ “

 “I think the most important lesson I learned from you was…”

“The thing I respect most about you is….”

 “One time, when I was _________, you _______ and I……”  

“I have a hard time with _______, and you helped me _______”

“I know you ______, but for my classmates and me, it ________”

 “I appreciate it when you ____________”

“It means a lot to me that you take the time to ____________”

“When I look back on __________,  I realize that you ___________”

2. Personal letters - Make a new Google Doc, title it Personal Letters, and when you are done share it with me correctly. You must do this via email. To get full credit, you must write both letters outlined below.

Letter 1 – write a letter to yourself that you will read the first week of school next year. Please write at least 300 words. Here are your prompts to reflect/write:

I did a lot of great things last year that should be repeated: (think of at least 4)

Here are some things to remember: (think of at least 4)

Remind yourself of something that didn’t go so well in school this year and tell yourself how to avoid them in the future. Explain how you worked around the problems.

Letter 2 – write a letter to yourself that you will read in 10 years. Please write at least 300 words. Here are the prompts for that letter and you can start with this:

This is me 10 years ago. I’m sure I’ve forgotten all about this email by now, and I’ve probably forgotten a lot about who I was in 2025. I’m sitting in my digital media class final right now and Mr. Reeves is making me write to myself in the future, so hello future me, I hope everything is great in your life right now.

1. Here’s some fun stuff to remember about me in 2025:

In 2035, I have the following goals for my:

2. Education

3. Family

4. Career

5. Other

6. In case I need some words of encouragement, here’s some things about me now that I like a lot, that I hope you still have:

7. There are also some things about me now that I know I’m still working on that I hope you have figure out by now.

8. At (age) when I write this letter I’ve…..

Love, me on May ??, 2025 (name)

Rest of the year outline. Posted 5/16

Here is the rest of the schedule for the year.

Friday, May 16 - Storyboard and Scripting

Tuesday, May 20 - Storyboard and Scripting

Thursday, May 22 - You can begin filming today in CLASS

Thursday, May 29 - Final Exam - You CAN use this period to film (1 hour) and edit (rest)

60-90 second "Film in a minute" is due by the end of your testing period (7th = 11 am, 8th = 1:10 pm)

If you want to use an exemption, YOU MUST TURN IN A FILM OF SOME SORT!!

Here is what will be on the 4th 9 weeks grades:

Already assigned and should be done!

Interior Design Preview - Minor

Famous Interior Designers - Minor

Interior Design Project - MAJOR

ID Project reflection - Minor

Rooms - Minor

Food Truck Preview - Minor

Food Truck Digital - MAJOR

Food Truck Physical - MAJOR

Food Truck Reflection - Minor

Infographics - Minor

*Political Cartoons - Minor

*Illustration Project - MAJOR

ASSIGNED TUESDAY AND THURSDAY

*Film Project Preview - Minor

*Storyboard - Minor

*Script - Minor

* = not in grade book yet - will be soon!!

FINAL EXAM

YOUR SHORT FILM IN A MINUTE!!

Storyboard and Scripting. Assigned 5/15, due 5/20 - Minor and Minor

Film in a Minute (Final Exam) Script writing and Storyboarding

The Film in a Minute IS your Final Exam. For the film in a minute, you will use your cell phone and any editing program on your phone you want to use (do not buy anything, there are plenty of free programs). I will outline the expectations for that film in a later lesson, but the basic expectations will be:

1. Between 60 and 90 seconds long - it MUST be in that window. No more than 90, no less than 60.

2. You must tell a complete story.

3. You must have at least one actor.

4. You must have a storyboard, which has to be 5-8 frames long and you post on your Google Site on a subpage called film storyboard.

5. You must have a script/outline, which gives me a good idea of what your film will be about. This must be posted on your Google Site on a subpage call film script/outline. (you can certainly use a Google Doc to write this, so make sure if you do that you SHARE IT PROPERLY and make it a CLICKABLE LINK)

6. It must be turned in to me as a .mov, MP4, or in some other format that I can actually watch on my computer screen. A link to YouTube will be absolutely acceptable.

Later this period I will spend some time brainstorming with you on what this might look like. For now, do your best to come up with your own STORY and plan for your video product.

Today you will be learning about storyboards and script writing. If you are not Podcasting or Editing your Podcast, you should be working on the storyboard and script until it is ready to shoot. You MUST shoot this movie outside of class for full credit. If you use the three class days I will allocate to making your final exam, and you shoot at school, I will take 20 points off your final exam grade. PERIOD!!

Now, get started on today's assignment - make a new Google Site Subpage and title it Storyboarding and script writing and answer all the questions below.

Storyboarding

What is a storyboard and what do they look like? What are some terms that I should use in my storyboard?

Here are the answers:

https://www.vyond.com/resources/what-is-a-storyboard-and-why-do-you-need-one/#:~:text=It's%20made%20up%20of%20a,when%20you%20make%20a%20video.

Here is another resource:

http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/storyboarding-your-film.html

When you are ready to tackle your storyboard, check this out. Its an online version where you can make one there instead of on paper:

http://www.storyboardthat.com/

I haven't used it yet, but I bet you can figure it out. I want feedback on how well this site works, so let me know please!!

Now, we need to also keep in mind that storyboarding involves a script, something that you have already created that TELLS the STORY.

How do you do that?

Well, here are some resources you can use as you are trying to TELL the STORY!!!

http://journalism.about.com/od/writing/a/broadcast.htm

http://www.ehow.com/how_5323470_write-broadcast-journalism-copy.html

SCRIPT WRITING

I wanted to share with you to the format that professional scripts are written. Below are three links to websites that explain the format, one that has a direct .pdf of a correctly written script and a third with more information.

http://2012.scriptfrenzy.org/howtoformatascreenplay

http://www.oscars.org/awards/nicholl/scriptsample.pdf

http://www.writersstore.com/how-to-write-a-screenplay-a-guide-to-scriptwriting/

I am not going to hold you directly to these standards, but I think its important when you are writing your script to complete some of these tasks.

Specifically I want you to use:

Slug lines to indicate location and times. They do not have to be exactly as shown.

Action - describe the actions that your characters will take

Character names - self explanatory

Dialogue - again self explanatory

You should start modifying your scripts to reflect this. For those of you serious about screenplay/script writing, you should follow the correct style so you have experience.

Today you should start making your story boards and writing your script/outline. You will need to turn in your final storyboards on your Google Site. You may need to take screen shots of them (to do this push and hold the shirt/command/#5 key. this will make a box on the screen. Size the box properly and at the bottom click capture image). Make sure when you put them on your Google Site that they are BIG so I can see them. Your script/outline can go on the same subpage and can be a text box, or a clickable link to a Google Doc.

Idea list I found: https://www.indieshortsmag.com/tutorials/pre-production/2023/08/short-film-script-ideas-for-your-next-short-film/

Final Exam preview. Assigned 5/13, due 5/15 - Minor

Today we are going to start the video unit. We will be looking at Filminute, the international film festival for 1-minute films. These will be the basis for the video you will use your phone and some sort of editing program to make a short film as your final exam.

First, let's take a look at the festival and some of the recent winners.

Go here: https://filminute.com/festival/filminute-winners-2021/

On your Google Site today, please pick TWO of the filminute movies featured on the website above and answer the following question. I have given you some help below for each of these questions in the section titles Non-technical evaluations.

1. What is the name of the film?

2. What was the theme?

3. Summarize the story in two sentences (plot).

4. Are there any symbols in the film? How are they used?

5. Who characters are in the story and tell me a little about how they interact, if they do.

Non-technical evaluations

Theme - what is the central point the director is making sometimes evaluations are based on motifs, which are ideas or symbols that are repeated throughout the product, but are not the full theme.

Story - Analyzing the story is often easier than the theme. A story is presented in film through the plot (simple, complex, timeless, believable), the characters (appearance, dialogue or lack thereof, interplay between characters, actions, names), and symbolic elements.

Plot - is the easiest thing to describe, its the storyline. But critics often get more specific, things like how time is handled (linear, or non-linear) or how the climatic moments are handled (like the ending). Another concept is the believability of the plot; the idea of a universal truth, an internal truth about human nature, or a fantastic version of the truth.

Symbolism - how symbols are used, whether they reinforce the theme or add depth to the story. Are the symbols cliche is often a question one should ask when critiquing a piece.

Character - an essential element - appearance, dialogue, hair, clothing, mannerisms, accent and speech patterns are all used. "Good guys versus bad guys," underdogs,  sympathetic characters, etc are all examples. Relationships between characters are also important.

6. Use the technical evaluation information from below to analyze and evaluate the following technical aspects. Write a sentence or two about each of these for both films:     

a. Lighting

b. Sound, 

c. Editing, 

d. Cut-aways 

e. Transitions

Technical evaluations

Lighting - Is the lighting sufficient for the subject/plot?
Sound - Is the sound sufficient for viewers to hear and understand?
Editing - Is the editing done an appealing way to extend the story line and augment viewing?
Cut-aways and transitions - Are the transitions professional and smooth?

Now for each answer the following questions:

6. Did you like the piece?

7. Why did you pick this one to evaluate?

8. What was the director trying to tell in the story, in your opinion?

9. What suggestions would you make to the director to improve the piece?

10. What was your favorite moment?

11. Was there any part where you were confused or unsure of the plot? 

Next class we will start the planning process for making your own 1-minute film - you will storyboard and script. I will have another assignment on shooting with your phone and a final lesson on using iMovie to produce your film. You will then have at least 2 classes PLUS the day of the final to go out to shoot your film and get it processed. You will do that here at school, so as you are thinking ahead, know you will take video here. You can team up with others in class to work on this - it will also give you the chance to have some actors. You will use your cell phone and you can use ANY editing program you want from CapCut, to iMovie, or even After Effects for phones.

Illustration Project examples and turn-in instructions. Posted 5/8 - MAJOR

You should work hard on all THREE illustrator creations you have been working on. I expect to see them posted by the end of next class.

Illustrator

If you are using Illustrator, to turn them in is pretty simple. You will need to save them as an .ai file. This is the native file format in Illustrator, so a simple save as should get you to the correct pop-up box. Save the piece on to your desktop. Label it Illustrator 1 (2 or 3) or you could name it to represent the subject.

Then in Illustrator do this:

File>Export>SAVE AS

Choose .PNG

In the dialog box choose DESKTOP

It should put a .PNG version on your desktop and that can go onto your Google Site.

Post them on your Google Site.

Canva

If you are using Canva to create your project, you will need to take a screen shot of each creation. To do that:

Screen shot: Click and Hold the Shift/Command/5 button at the same time. This will create a box on the screen that you can scale properly around the item you want to take a photo of. Then click the CAPTURE button at the bottom of that box.

It should put a .PNG version on your desktop OR download folder and that can go onto your Google Site.

Post them on your Google Site.

Sketchpad

If you are using Sketchpad, you will have to export or save as and create a .png file to put on your Google Site. Let me know if you can't figure it out, I will be happy to help you.

Remember - you should have 1 Infographic, 1 Political Cartoon, and 1 more piece of your choosing. 

More Examples from this year in my J1 class:

Illustration project. Assigned 5/6, due 5/13 - MAJOR

Illustration Project

I would like you to create THREE graphics that could be used in the school newspaper. You can do any of the following for these three graphics, but you must do at LEAST 1 political cartoon and 1 infographic. I will give you instructions next class on how to turn in these three graphics:

1. Create an infographic with data and art.

2. Create a political cartoon with a clear opinion/message, that includes symbols & labels, one of the persuasive techniques you learned about last class, and that is factual based. Consider exaggerations that you might utilize with this piece. 

3. A art piece that could be used with a review of some sort (this could be a review of a movie, book, music, restaurant, etc). OR you can create another Infographic or Political Cartoon

Here are some ideas if you need help coming up with something, but feel free to come up with your own ideas and plans:

School Construction

AP exams

SAVE Act

Bowie Buddies Special Olympics

Homelessness

STUCO Dodgeball

Coachella Lineup

Stock Market 

Anything related to the Trade war/Tariffs

Airline cancellations or delays

Russia v Ukraine war (or Israel v Hamas)

Met Gala 2025

NHL or NBA Playoffs

Real ID's

Alcatraz

Pope Francis or anything related to the Conclave

Immigration

You could also do a how-to infographics on just about anything....

Using Illustrator or

You will need to do any of these tutorials and post your efforts on your blog for credit on this assignment. Please remember that the object of this is to help you learn how to create art for the newspaper, so try to find tutorials that help with that task.

Make sure to open Illustrator. You will likely have to push the F4 key on the top of your keyboard and look for the Icon for Adobe Illustrator which is Orange and has the letters AI on it. 

A dialog box will open. Please TYPE IN YOUR SCHOOL EMAIL ADDRESS. DO NOT use the single-click buttons to log in with Facebook, Google, or anything else. I will show you this step on the screen.

Once you put in your email address, the system will take you to the portal, where you will need to sign in using your normal credentials. This process could take a few minutes.

Once you open Illustrator, click the button on the far left that says CREATE NEW and select the A4 option. You can choose the "Orientation" button on the middle right to decide if you want a vertical or horizontal page.

I believe that Illustrator is a very intuitive program, but it does take practice. One of the best ways to get better is to watch tutorials. Below I have linked a bunch of them. You have two days for this assignment, so you have time to watch a few and learn how to do basics.

Here are some links and both have clickable links to other tutorials and sites so click away!!:

https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/tutorials.html

http://blog.spoongraphics.co.uk/articles/20-basic-illustrator-tutorials-every-beginner-should-see

http://www.good-tutorials.com/tutorials/illustrator/basics

You can also just google Adobe Illustrator tutorials and you will find lots of links.

Follow the instructions above.

Using Canva or

If you would prefer to use Canva, that is fine, but you may ONLY use the Draw and Text functions. Do not upload anything, use elements, brand or templates. You must create these like it is a drawing program.

Follow the instructions above:

Using Sketchpad

Go to https://sketch.io/sketchpad/

Follow the instructions above.

Political Cartoons. Assigned 5/2, due 5/6 - Minor

 Make sure you are done with BOTH Food Truck reflection AND the Infographics assignment before you start on this one. I know some of you were still finishing your food trucks. I am posting this early so some people can get started today. 

Political Cartoons

The other big type of graphics we create for the newspaper are Political Cartoons.

What are Political Cartoons?

https://www.britannica.com/topic/political-cartoon

On your Google Site please create a new subpage called Political Cartoons and answer the following questions:

1. What is a political cartoon?

2. Where do most political cartoons appear in a newspaper?

3. What are the usual topics for political cartoons?

4. Are political cartoons based in facts?

5. What is the goal of a political cartoon, according to the website?

Now go to this website:

https://www.ncpedia.org/anchor/analyzing-political-cartoons

Answer the following questions:

6. What are the five persuasive techniques that cartoonists use in their work? In a sentence or two, explain the technique in your own words.

7. List the five questions you should use to analyze cartoons?

Now go here to learn how to plan and create a political cartoon:

https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Political-Cartoon

8. List the suggested steps to PLAN a cartoon.

9. List the suggested steps to CREATE the cartoon

Now let's go look at a few cartoons.

https://www.politico.com/gallery/2022/03/18/the-nations-cartoonists-on-the-week-in-politics-00018284?slide=14

10. What were some of the topics you saw as you clicked through these cartoons?

11. List some symbols you saw as you looked through these.

12. Share a screen shot of THREE of these cartoons and answer the following questions about them?

a. What issue is this political cartoon about?

b. What is the cartoonist's opinion on this issue?

c. What other opinion can you imagine another person having on this issue?

d. Did you find the cartoon persuasive? Why or why not?

e. What other techniques could the cartoonist have used to make this cartoon more persuasive?