Thursday, June 15, 2006

 I found out that I will most likely only have 12 classes instead of the 14 I imagined.  This means my lessons will have to be really tight and focused.  I can’t have any throw-away activities.  I really need to go in with structured ideas.  Of course, they will be flexible, but I must have a strong structure going in on this. 

I looked at an overall structure today: how do I teach what I want in twelve lessons?  I decided to divide the class in half: the first six sessions would cover the making of a TV show and the last six sessions would cover the creation of a network.  Within the first six sessions, I will introduce the process drama, create characters, situations and settings for our very own tv show, write and perform scenes from the show (possibly taped) and create a “pitch” for the show. 

In my original thoughts, this is where I was going to create a role-reversal and have the kids be the network that is seeing the pitch.  I got confused when it came to who would be performing the pitch and who would be watching it—and how we could make that all happen within the drama.  I thought it would be easier and smoother if they maintain the same roles & somehow decide to not only create a show, but create an entire network for the show to air.  Perhaps they could fall into some more money somehow…maybe their pitch is rejected and their next thought is just creating their own work.

Creating the network will give us a chance to look at these media concepts: programming, brand development, audience, advertising.  For the final class, we would present our network at the “upfronts”—where the networks talk about their fall line up.  We would spend a major portion of that time showing our “pitch” to the audience.  Hopefully, this audience could include other teachers and admin from the arts center as well as industry professionals.  Then we could follow it with a Q and A and finally, a wrap party. 

I feel much better about creating a framework for these twelve lessons now that I have a solid overall structure down.  I want to go into the first class with twelve lessons, knowing of course that they will change.  But feeling ready and willing to be 100% there for the kids. 

This reflecting is still not second nature to me.  Usually, when I get an idea in my head, I don’t immediately write it down.  I let it sit for awhile.  But in my attempt to capture that process, I must force myself to sit down and write.  It also helps me crystallize the lessons.

Here’s what I wrote earlier today:

Lesson #1 (already written)=introducing process drama, talk about shows they watch, introduce genre

Lesson #2=vote on genre, what kind of show do we want to create?, practice elements of storytelling

Lesson #3=Develop characters and settings

Lesson #4 Develop relationships and conflicts

Lesson #5 write script and begin pitch rehearsal

Lesson #6 Practice pitch meeting, create storyboards/visuals

Lesson #7 Pitch meeting, bring in feedback

Lesson #8 Create a network idea=kinds of channels, what do they watch, we want a network that can fit our show

Lesson #9 Programming

Lesson #10 Brand, audience, commercials

Lesson #11 Rehearse for “upfront”

Lesson #12 Upfront presentation with pitch, q and a with special guests, wrap party

So, in the next several days, I will work to get more detailed framework—working specifically to keep the process drama moving & a big part of the structure.  Always keeping the drama and creativity at the forefront.