Giving Visuals to Music

*Prior Knowledge: Students already have knowledge of how to storyboard a project, how to correctly operate a video camera, and how to edit sound and video.

*Materials Needed: Mystery Envelopes (with song title and artist on an index card inside)
Video Cameras
Audio version of the given songs
Storyboard paper
Computer (for editing...we use iMac)

*Lesson (Project) Details:
Students are placed into groups. (This can be done in whatever manner works best). My students have selected their groups at the beginning of the course so they will continue to use these groups. As with all projects, the group will need to determine who will be the director, the camera operator, the lighting technician, the sound technician and the talent.

Each group is given a mystery envelope that contains a song title and artist. Students are given the opportunity to listen to their song (although, most students will be familiar with the selected songs).

As a group, students will need to determine how to create video that brings the song to life. Students can decide if they want to portray a literal interpretation of the song or if they want to take a more artistic approach. They will need to storyboard the video - complete with shot types, locations, and where particular scenes will match up with particular lyrics. They will have to obtain permission to film at off-campus locations as well as get media release forms for all people shown in the video. This information will be placed in their project portfolio, which will be turned in with their final project.

Students will have 3 days to collect the needed video to fulfill their project. They will be able to film before, during and after school hours (with prior approval from me). Groups will catalog their footage and place it in their folder on the iMac.

Students will be given specific times to work on the editing portion of the project. When the final project is complete, students will burn a copy to a DVD and submit it for grading.

The class will watch each music video and will evaluate each of them based on the criteria presented in class - such as camera angles, video sequences, sound and lighting, etc. Peer evaluations will be given to each group so they can see how others few their video.

Extra explanation of Project Portfolio:
For each video project, the group must submit the following information in either a binder or file folder: (1) project proposal (2) list of group responsibilities (who's doing what role) (3) storyboard (4) Media Release Forms (5) Off-Campus Filming permission forms (6) Group evaluation of the project