Course Description Echo Effect is a course that was developed by Rainshadow students in the spring of 2006.

Its mission is to be a societally aware youth organization dedicated to turning arts to action to effect change. The course uses media arts, especially lm, as a means to communicate information. Throughout the course, media will be investigated. Students will actively participate in the creation and dissemination of lm. Echo Effect is a project-based General English course, and follows national Core Standards in English.

Course Aims and Objectives Upon completion of this 18 week course, students will be able to: demonstrate understanding of the basics of lm, as an audience member and director use imagery and sound to convey meaning speak to members of the community, develop public speaking skills, and interview critically read a novel and translate portion to a lm write documents for a purpose, including a student treatment and a lm critique develop condence, and work with a variety of individuals develop technology skills, using lm editing software and the internet Requirements The number one requirement of Echo Effect is participation. It is a fundamental component of the course. In addition to daily participation, you will be required to: complete lm workshop activities small quizzes complete daily journals and take notes complete an individual website with sample projects and reections read and respond to one novel and several short stories complete two lm critiques complete 6 lm projects, and depending on the level, complete the Teen Stories Project additional class activities, and PARTICIPATE Special Note It is a privilege to be in this class. You will work with some industry standard equipment as you create artistic productions. The basic rule for this class is: Trust, Equality, Respect, and Maturity. This

Echo Effect * Syllabus Fall Semester 2010

Spring 2012

Echo Effect Syllabus

concept was created by students who have taken this course in the past. Non-negotiables for the class include: 1. If you are not passing the class, you are not eligible to leave class to lm. The only exception to this rule is if the only reason you are not passing is because of a lm project that is incomplete. 2. As you will be expected to go out into the community at times, it is imperative that you behave as mature young adults. Remember, you represent not only yourself, but your school, this class, and your instructor. 3. Trust and safety are key aspects of this class. All students who participate must feel as though they can share with everyone else. Anyone who compromises the classes ability to do this will be sent home. I cannot underscore the importance of creating a positive classroom atmosphere, one that fosters a community of professionalism and trust. We are an educational institution, and in order to continue to grow and improve the program, we must work within certain frameworks. While we will form classroom expectations as a class, I must also describe some expectations that are non-negotiable. I will not form any non-negotiable expectation that does not make sense. There are reasons for each of these issues.

1. Your projects must not utilize sex, drugs, or profanity in a way that compromises this class or your individual participation in this class. Remember, we are judged by our audience. We represent our school, this class, our teachers, and ultimately ourselves. The message that we put out must be one that is positive and respectful. It must also be legal.

2. We must listen to one another. While we may not all like one another, we must learn to work together. Any demonstrated behavior that cuts another person(s) down will not be tolerated. Individually, we each have power. When we can put all of that power to work together to achieve a positive end, it can be an amazing experience.

3. We must each take pride in our own work. You are at a school where you are allowed a lot of creative freedom. You can explore your own interests. Work hard for you, and stay on track.

Echo Effect * Syllabus Spring Semester 2012

Spring 2012

Echo Effect Syllabus

I have taught, and rened this class for the past ve years. Each year, something new and exciting gets added. This workbook is an amalgamation of a variety of topics, projects, and ideas. Please do not write in this workbook, as I plan on reusing this book throughout this year and beyond. Your input is valued and valuable, so if you feel something is missing, let me know. Finally... Everything we do will be available online on my website http://rainshadow-echoeffect.weebly.com. On this site, you will nd the project workbook that includes the rationale for why we are doing what we do as well as some lm basics. You will also nd sample projects, novel questions, assignments, and class discussions. We will use this website as the core for the course. You can access this site away from school, and catch up with work at any time. You will also have an easy way to contact your instructors. Class Resource List Wiedenmayer, Toby. Echo effect: a high school language arts curriculum with a focus on lm. Unpublished Manuscript, Sierra Nevada College, 2010.

Week 1

Objective and Activities Students will get to know each other, and be introduced to lm. Syllabus Review The Mole People: read chapter 1, questions lm workshop: The Story of My Name set up personal website, goal setting Film: Loss of Innocence

Standard(s)

Introduce the Teen Stories Project to class, and break class into working groups for other activities. The Mole People: read through chapter 2-3, questions. Echo Effect Book: Personal Timeline lm workshop: Connections Through Interviews Echo Effect Book: Film Basics Anchor Project: Rainshadow Video

Echo Effect * Syllabus Spring Semester 2012

Spring 2012

Echo Effect Syllabus

Week 3

Objective and Activities Students will learn about lm basics, and will begin to utilize basic skills to complete a storyboard and write a treatment. The Mole People: read through chapter 4-5, questions Echo Effect Book: Brainstorm Lesson lm workshop: perspectives project lm: What the Bleep Do We Know? Anchor Project: Rainshadow Video

Standard(s)

Students will learn about different shots in lming, and will complete a shots and movements scavenge. The Mole People: read through chapter 6, questions Echo Effect Book: Shots and Movements Scavenge lm workshop: juxtaposition Preliminary editing Anchor Project: Rainshadow Video

Students will learn about lm basics, and will begin to utilize basic skills to complete a storyboard. The Mole People: read through chapter 7. questions Echo Effect Book: Storyboarding lm workshop: Emotions Anchor Project: Finish Rainshadow Video

Students will write a personal narrative about the highlighted experiences, thinking of potential interviewees. The Mole People: read chapter 8-9, questions Echo Effect Book: Just Write It! lm: Following Sean

Students will revisit their narratives, and look at their brainstorms, to develop a treatment for their lm as a group. The Mole People: read chapter 10, questions Echo Effect Book: Treatment lm workshop: Emotions

Echo Effect * Syllabus Spring Semester 2012

Spring 2012

Echo Effect Syllabus

Week 8

Objective and Activities

Students will learn basic interviewing strategies, and will begin to invite individuals to interview and lm outside of class.

Standard(s)

The Mole People: read chapter 11, questions Echo Effect Book: Interviewing lm workshop: PSA

Students will discuss key issues in lighting and how to improve lighting for their shoots. The Mole People: read chapter 12-13, questions Echo Effect Book: Lighting lm workshop: PSA Sharing footage

10

Students will learn about audio, and start to think about what the soundtrack to their lm will be. The Mole People: read chapter 14, questions Echo Effect Book: Audio lm workshop: Soundtrack for The Mole People Sharing footage and editing

11

Students will learn about b-roll footage, and will begin to capture the footage for ller in their lm. The Mole People: read chapter 15, questions Echo Effect Book: B-Roll footage lm workshop: shooting B-Roll footage Sharing footage and editing

12

Students will continue to edit and learn about the editing process. The Mole People: read chapter 16-17. questions Echo Effect Book: Editing and the Final Product Sharing footage and editing

Echo Effect * Syllabus Spring Semester 2012

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Echo Effect Syllabus

Week 13

Objective and Activities Students will continue to edit and learn about the editing process. The Mole People: read chapter 18. questions Echo Effect Book: Editing and the Final Product lm workshop: Video Poetry Project Sharing footage and editing

Standard(s)

14

Students will continue to edit and learn about the editing process. The Mole People: read chapter 19. questions lm workshop: Video Poetry Project

15

Students will continue to edit and learn about the editing process. The Mole People: read chapter 19. questions lm workshop: Genre Project

16

Students will continue to edit and learn about the editing process. The Mole People: read chapter 20-21. questions lm workshop: Genre Project

17

Students will continue to edit and learn about the editing process. The Mole People: read chapter 22-23. questions lm workshop: Genre Project

18

Students will continue to edit and learn about the editing process. The Mole People: read chapter 24 and epilogue. questions lm: The Mole People or Dark Days Film Festival

Echo Effect * Syllabus Spring Semester 2012