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The video shoot (heard round the world?)
This weekend Maddy and her friend teamed up to do the final stages of a social studies project together. A few weeks ago they decided to write a script about the Boston Massacre and then make a movie of it.
Yesterday was shoot day. They enlisted several of their friends and their siblings. Sam was conscripted as the romantic lead (a British soldier) simply because we have a redcoat uniform that fit him when he was five. {This is why his jacket sleeves go to his elbows in the photo below.} Lauren was the director/cameraperson. I alternated between bossy backseat director and observer, depending on whether the cast was behaving or not. {Some would say this is my role on a daily basis.}
I was impressed by their gumption. Usually school projects feel like just as much my homework as the kids' but they did the whole thing. They laid out a whole project schedule, including reading the book, writing the script, and filming the movie. They arranged to meet and type it up together on the computer. They scouted locations, set a time and place, and coordinated casting. They managed to make it really fun for everyone involved.
I tried to attach a clip here but our slow internet connection whined and complained and fell on the floor and did a tantrum so...alas. {I'll have to see what I can figure out. Or switch internet carriers.} In the meantime, here they are getting ready before heading out to the park to film the carnage.
Well, guess what? They were the first team out. With each word, they would all spell it out on paper, agree on its spelling, then take turns saying it out loud in the microphone. On the third time through, they got the word triangle. They were all cocky--heh! we got triangle...what do they think this is, kindergarten?--and then the one saying it out loud got too excited and skipped the "a." Poor guy. Poor team. They were good sports about it but spent the rest of the spelling bee sitting next to me, whispering how they knew every word that came through. {Well, yeah, guys but you missed "triangle" remember?}
Monday, February 11, 2008
Reader Comments (8)
I always wanted to be in a spelling bee. Are there adult spelling bees out there?
That darn triangle. Will this haunt them for a long time? hopefully not. He can always fall back on that acting in historical dramas career.
This movie will be watched for decades! We have one my son made about 15 years ago for his German class called Das Pumpkin. We break it out every once in a while and laugh. I especially love your kids costumes!
I am impressed that the spelling bee team wore matching clothes. Was that required?
Also, I am haunted to this day by my fourth grade spelling bee. I purposely misspelled a word because I didn't want my friends to think I was a "smart" kid. Obviously, I wasn't one!!!
Oh, the excitement of making a video! I would love to see it. Do switch internet carriers just for that reason. I'm sure G won't mind.
And poor Sam. Nothing like a little dose of humble pie. I hate that pie. Eat it all the time around here.
Jessica,
Yes! they do have a grown-up spelling bee here. It's a fundraiser for the local scholarship. It's a testament to the geekiness (or competitiveness?)of my town that people will pay to be in one or to attend and watch. Come on out!
Gab,
the teams do coordinate their outfits. Sam and his friends just said "let's wear a yellow shirt."
So far we are having a spelling bee and a wedding party at my house. They both sound so fun.
One time I missed council. I spelled it counsel. My dad is a lawyer. I still feel ripped off.
I think it's wonderful that the kids came up with such a worthwhile project.
Tough luck with the spelling bee. Maybe it was the luck of the draw.