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UNIT 3: Sketch Comedy
DESCRIPTION:
We will be working in groups to write, develop and film a class sketch comedy show (Title TBD) To do this we will have to explore the different types of sketch comedy that already exist, learn how to create characters that can carry out our funny ideas and use each others feedback to get at the funny. During filming we will be utilizing set, props and costumes to continue realizing our final produ
UNIT 3: Sketch Comedy
DESCRIPTION:
We will be working in groups to write, develop and film a class sketch comedy show (Title TBD) To do this we will have to explore the different types of sketch comedy that already exist, learn how to create characters that can carry out our funny ideas and use each others feedback to get at the funny. During filming we will be utilizing set, props and costumes to continue realizing our final produ
Reflection for Sketch:
Actors:
1. Describe your most successful acting moment. What choices did you make to communicate your character clearly? How did it help get laughs?
2. What adjustments should you have made in the creation of your character that would have helped get MORE laughs?
Editors:
1. What editing piece are you most proud of? Why?
2. How, as the editor, did you help the director and actors fully realize this sketch?
3. Describe your greatest struggle with imovie.
Director:
1. Describe your experience as a director. When were you proudest? When were you most frustrated?
2. What was your vision for the sketch? When you watch the final product are you satisfied? What changes would you make if you could go back?
Actors:
1. Describe your most successful acting moment. What choices did you make to communicate your character clearly? How did it help get laughs?
2. What adjustments should you have made in the creation of your character that would have helped get MORE laughs?
Editors:
1. What editing piece are you most proud of? Why?
2. How, as the editor, did you help the director and actors fully realize this sketch?
3. Describe your greatest struggle with imovie.
Director:
1. Describe your experience as a director. When were you proudest? When were you most frustrated?
2. What was your vision for the sketch? When you watch the final product are you satisfied? What changes would you make if you could go back?
STEP 1: RESEARCH and INSPIRATION
Essential Question: What constitutes sketch comedy?
Like any good artist, you have to know what's already out there and what the "rules" are. If we want to make something fresh and new we have to know how to break or follow those rules! Watch the clips below. When you finish, please answer these questions. We will be having a class discussion based on your answers.
1. Please describe the set-up and punch line of one of these sketches.
2. Pick one character that really cracked you up- can you figure out why? Please describe.
3. How are sketch and stand-up comedy connected?
Essential Question: What constitutes sketch comedy?
Like any good artist, you have to know what's already out there and what the "rules" are. If we want to make something fresh and new we have to know how to break or follow those rules! Watch the clips below. When you finish, please answer these questions. We will be having a class discussion based on your answers.
1. Please describe the set-up and punch line of one of these sketches.
2. Pick one character that really cracked you up- can you figure out why? Please describe.
3. How are sketch and stand-up comedy connected?
The Spartan Cheerleaders: SNL
(Copy and paste link)
http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/spartans-football-game/n10755
SNL: Political Satire
WEEKEND UPDATE: SNL
Key and peele
1
STEP 2: Research Project
With a partner, you're going to be assigned one of the shows below. They are linked to their Wikipedia articles. Please develop a small google slide presentation that includes the following information.
Slide 1: History of the show- when it was made, who created it etc.
Slide 2: The Performers- who is on screen in this show? Any one we might know? Show us some of your favorites.
Slide 3: The Writers- who writes the show? Is it the same as the performers? Any women? Give us a summary.
Slide 4: 2-3 examples of some of your favorite sketches.
Slide 5: What inspiration can you take form this show? Was there a story/format you liked? A character you connected to? Describe.
RUBRIC for RESEARCH PROJECT
SKETCH COMEDY TV SHOWS:
Saturday Night Live
Key and Peele
The Upright Citizens Brigade
Kids in the Hall
Chapelle's Show
Mad TV
The Carol Burnette Show
STEP 3: Commercial Parody
To start, we're going to split into groups to write and produce our own commercial parodies.
Let's watch some examples. While we watch, please write down in your comedy journal what you think the GAME of the parody is and how it heightens throughout.
Writing your commercial parody- suggested steps
1. Pick a commercial you'd like to parody. Watch it. Convert the commercial into a script format of the commercial. Commercials are usually formatted with two columns- one side is a description of what we see the other is a description of what is said and when. See the picture below. (You can create a similar document in google docs using the table feature. Here is my PERSONAL example. I'll be working alongside you for this project.
NEXT, decide on what the "game" of your parody is. Decide how you will heighten that throughout the sketch. Write down AT LEAST two different versions of this. Then come find Caitlin with all of your work. She will coach you from there.
Write your commercial parody script, including the duel columns. This will take you awhile. This is also where you can think through WHERE this should be filmed, what you may need to be in the shots and who you would like to cast. When you have a first draft, please come find CAITLIN.
THE RUBRIC FOR YOUR SCRIPT!
The Full Class Pitch
THIS WILL HAPPEN MULTIPLE TIMES DURING OUR WORK
Join the class in a circle of love, be prepared to "Sell" your sketch. We can only produce a few, why should we produce yours?
THIS WILL HAPPEN MULTIPLE TIMES DURING OUR WORK
Join the class in a circle of love, be prepared to "Sell" your sketch. We can only produce a few, why should we produce yours?
Film Resources!
FILM MAKING BASICS
Basic Camera Shots
Indy Mogul
How to make a commercial
Editing in IMovie
Iphone Tips and Tricks
Example from Class 1
Example from Class 2
Basic Camera Shots
Indy Mogul
How to make a commercial
Editing in IMovie
Iphone Tips and Tricks
Example from Class 1
Example from Class 2
STEPS TO GO FROM PAPER TO FINAL PRODUCT.
1. Finalize your script, create your shot list and PRODUCTION SCHEDULE.
2. Decide on a Director and Editor
(these folks shouldn't be IN the film)
3.Cast your script.
4.Directors and Editors, you are in charge of location and set decoration. Use the shot list to stay organized That means- you set up the places you want to film so it looks ok!
5. Actors, memorize your actions and rehearse.
6. Directors- YOU FILM
7. Gather some B-Roll just in case.
8. Share work with Editors so they can get to work!
9. Folks who aren't editing- you can be a director/actor in any of the other productions happening around you.
10. Editors, coach with Caitlin around imovie and your final cuts!
SHOT LISTS:
Shot List Example:
Scene 1: Location- Exterior of the school
Cast: Jodecy, Monica and Ishrak
Costume Perfect Uniform
Filming Date: March 5th
Scene 2: Location- Locker Room in 506
Cast: Victoria (needs pass from Xenia)
Costume: Perfect Uniform
Filming Date: March 6th
When you have this set, please share it with me in your COMEDY JOURNAL.
EDITING:
Upload your work into imovie and the director and camera person can go ahead and edit it all together! During this time, the actors can be doing their reflection (coaching with Caitlin) in their Comedy Journals or they may be asked to play parts in other commercials.
1. Finalize your script, create your shot list and PRODUCTION SCHEDULE.
2. Decide on a Director and Editor
(these folks shouldn't be IN the film)
3.Cast your script.
4.Directors and Editors, you are in charge of location and set decoration. Use the shot list to stay organized That means- you set up the places you want to film so it looks ok!
5. Actors, memorize your actions and rehearse.
6. Directors- YOU FILM
7. Gather some B-Roll just in case.
8. Share work with Editors so they can get to work!
9. Folks who aren't editing- you can be a director/actor in any of the other productions happening around you.
10. Editors, coach with Caitlin around imovie and your final cuts!
SHOT LISTS:
Shot List Example:
Scene 1: Location- Exterior of the school
Cast: Jodecy, Monica and Ishrak
Costume Perfect Uniform
Filming Date: March 5th
Scene 2: Location- Locker Room in 506
Cast: Victoria (needs pass from Xenia)
Costume: Perfect Uniform
Filming Date: March 6th
When you have this set, please share it with me in your COMEDY JOURNAL.
EDITING:
Upload your work into imovie and the director and camera person can go ahead and edit it all together! During this time, the actors can be doing their reflection (coaching with Caitlin) in their Comedy Journals or they may be asked to play parts in other commercials.
FEedback for the class
WRITING AN ORIGINAL SKETCH (Non Parody)
STEP 1: This can be done with a partner or independently.
WHAT SORT OF SKETCH DO YOU WANT TO WRITE?
Character? Parody? Musical? Satire?
Pick one and then start brainstorming...
Brainstorming Protocol:
WATCH THIS VIDEO FOR INSPIRATION:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysSgG5V-R3U
- Choose someone to video tape or take notes
- If someone has an idea, pitch it to the group- during this time no one is allowed to comment or talk until the person with the idea is fully done explaining.
- After that, the group should ask questions to clarify any confusion. Then the group may make comments about the idea. They should list out the pros, the cons or any troubleshooting they can think of.
- The person with the idea then has a chance to answer and respond to the feedback.
THEN MOVE ON- repeat this process until everyone has had a chance to pitch an idea. Please make sure EVERYONE participates in this. Upload the video or notes into the note-takers comedy journal.
WHAT SORT OF SKETCH DO YOU WANT TO WRITE?
Character? Parody? Musical? Satire?
Pick one and then start brainstorming...
Brainstorming Protocol:
WATCH THIS VIDEO FOR INSPIRATION:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysSgG5V-R3U
- Choose someone to video tape or take notes
- If someone has an idea, pitch it to the group- during this time no one is allowed to comment or talk until the person with the idea is fully done explaining.
- After that, the group should ask questions to clarify any confusion. Then the group may make comments about the idea. They should list out the pros, the cons or any troubleshooting they can think of.
- The person with the idea then has a chance to answer and respond to the feedback.
THEN MOVE ON- repeat this process until everyone has had a chance to pitch an idea. Please make sure EVERYONE participates in this. Upload the video or notes into the note-takers comedy journal.
Script Writing/Character Development
Characters:
These folks are the base of your sketch- make sure that each character you introduce has a purpose.
A note about stereotypes:
Race, religion, gender, sexuality....all of these things will have a role in your life and therefore in your sketch. You must always be self-reflective and critical of exploring these things. When you create something ask yourself these questions.
1. Is this choice necessary to my sketch?
2. Do the issues I am taking on in my sketch serve to further a stereotype? How?
3. What does exploring this issue have to do with comedy? Am I making fun of someone or something OR am I trying to get at a deeper meaning?
4. What sort of privilege do I enjoy that might make me insensitive or unaware?
Remember, you want to be funny not hateful or mean.
Script Writing:
Here is what a movie or film script looks LIKE.
When everyone gets to this point I'll have a mini-lesson to help introduce this work to you!
Formatting is important for clarity! It also makes you responsible for thinking through not just the story part of screenwriting, but the camera work as well.
There is an excellent FREE software online called CELTX. It will take some playing around- but it eventually becomes much easier to format your script in this software.
When you and your team are ready to write- make sure everyone is engaged in the writing process. Share the task of formatting, brainstorming and generating dialogue between all the group members.
Characters:
These folks are the base of your sketch- make sure that each character you introduce has a purpose.
A note about stereotypes:
Race, religion, gender, sexuality....all of these things will have a role in your life and therefore in your sketch. You must always be self-reflective and critical of exploring these things. When you create something ask yourself these questions.
1. Is this choice necessary to my sketch?
2. Do the issues I am taking on in my sketch serve to further a stereotype? How?
3. What does exploring this issue have to do with comedy? Am I making fun of someone or something OR am I trying to get at a deeper meaning?
4. What sort of privilege do I enjoy that might make me insensitive or unaware?
Remember, you want to be funny not hateful or mean.
Script Writing:
Here is what a movie or film script looks LIKE.
When everyone gets to this point I'll have a mini-lesson to help introduce this work to you!
Formatting is important for clarity! It also makes you responsible for thinking through not just the story part of screenwriting, but the camera work as well.
There is an excellent FREE software online called CELTX. It will take some playing around- but it eventually becomes much easier to format your script in this software.
When you and your team are ready to write- make sure everyone is engaged in the writing process. Share the task of formatting, brainstorming and generating dialogue between all the group members.
The Table Read:
This step is a great time to share this work with your peers or me. Cast your sketch within your group- if you need more people double cast for now. Print out your scripts and literally sit around a table or in a circle.
Before you set down to read generate at least 3 questions that you can ask the audience about your work so they can give you meaningful feedback.
Some examples:
Does our sketch have a game? Can you identify it?
How can we make our dialogue sound more natural?
Is this funny? If not, what is missing?
This step is a great time to share this work with your peers or me. Cast your sketch within your group- if you need more people double cast for now. Print out your scripts and literally sit around a table or in a circle.
Before you set down to read generate at least 3 questions that you can ask the audience about your work so they can give you meaningful feedback.
Some examples:
Does our sketch have a game? Can you identify it?
How can we make our dialogue sound more natural?
Is this funny? If not, what is missing?
Revision and Rewrite
I cannot stress this enough- a first draft is NOT a last draft. You will have to make changes. This may also be the time that your realize your sketch does not work. This may be REALLY frustrating- but it is how art is made! Being funny is so, so hard. Don't give up.
Use the feedback you got from your audience to start your revisions. You may also have heard things during the table read that you want to change. Make sure you keep a copy of your first draft around so I can see your changes.
When you feel you have a final draft, your group should coach with me! Link all of your drafts in your comedy journal!
I cannot stress this enough- a first draft is NOT a last draft. You will have to make changes. This may also be the time that your realize your sketch does not work. This may be REALLY frustrating- but it is how art is made! Being funny is so, so hard. Don't give up.
Use the feedback you got from your audience to start your revisions. You may also have heard things during the table read that you want to change. Make sure you keep a copy of your first draft around so I can see your changes.
When you feel you have a final draft, your group should coach with me! Link all of your drafts in your comedy journal!