KIDS FIRST! Junior Film Critics Curriculum
Becoming a Film Critic
SESSION EIGHT: Rating Yes or No; One-, Two- or Three-stars.
Time: 60 minutes
A. Welcome transparency up. Sign in.
B. Review Homework:
Media Log. Old programs looking different?
Give us your 1st solo evaluation. Share 2 or 3.
How did you do on the rules?
How about each heading of the form?
C. Review Evaluation Categories:
Appeal, content, production values, benefits.
D. Review descriptions for rating a title 1-, 2-, and 3- stars Use transparency
E. Select a title rated 1-star by KIDS FIRST! to view and evaluate. Preferably a 30-min. title.
F. Whole group evaluates it, using KIDS FIRST! evaluation form.
Write opinions on board
Rate it. Refer to Rating Guide sheet.
See if your rating matches that given by KIDS FIRST!
G. Homework Assignment: Volunteer reads assignments.
Media log.
Write your 2nd solo evaluation. Choose a program from your media log or KIDS FIRST! website. Give handouts of star rating guide to take home.
Focus on appeal, story, character behavior, production values, and benefits.
Remember the evaluation rules: Make notes while you watch. Use complete sentences. Give your reason for your opinion. Use a comment only once. Have fun. Use enthusiasm as you write. And remember, there are no right or wrong opinions.
OPTIONAL: Write and produce your own video script.
Write a short, three minute film or TV program script. Think about how you will shoot it with the camera. Pay attention to camera angles, camera shots - close ups, long shots, and sets. Now video tape it with some of your friends or family. Talk afterwards about what worked and what didn't. What would you do differently the next time?
FACILITATOR NOTES
Prior to the next meeting, select a DVD to evaluate and rate next week. You may bring in something from your own collection, get one from the library, or rent one from your local videostore or Netflix. It should be only 30 - 45 minutes in length.
Next
Session 9
