*THIS COURSE REQUIRES UPDATING. TEACHERS SHOULD EMPLOY PROFESSIONAL DISCRETION.

Context:

This unit focuses on the genre of dance film. Students will use a literary source as a stimulus and, using their pre-existing knowledge of the elements of dance, they will create a choreography for film.

Summary:

Beginning with the exploration of dance film and how it differs from dance movies and live performance, students will have the opportunity to create a dance piece inspired by a literary source. In groups, students will create a storyboard, outlining how they would like to film their dance. Groups will then film and edit their dance piece, following the storyboard, to create their own dance film.

Unit Guiding Questions

How does dance film differ from live performance?

Lesson Guiding Questions

Lesson 1:
What is Dance Film?
Leçon 1 :
Qu'est-ce qu'un film de danse ?
  • What mediums can be used to show dance? 
  • How does dance film differ from dance movies, recorded performances, and music videos?
  • What techniques are used in film?
  • How are these techniques useful for dance film?
  • Quels sont les supports utilisés pour montrer la danse ? 
  • En quoi les films de danse diffèrent-ils des films de danse, des performances enregistrées et des vidéos musicales ?
  • Quelles sont les techniques utilisées dans les films ?
  • En quoi ces techniques sont-elles utiles pour les films de danse ?
Lesson 2:
Developing a Theme
Leçon 2 :
Développer un thème
  • How are the ideas, thoughts, feelings and emotions that are associated with each of the identified themes expressed in movement?
  • Comment les idées, les pensées, les sentiments et les émotions associés à chacun des thèmes identifiés sont-ils exprimés dans le mouvement ?
Lesson 3:
Creating and Planning
Leçon 3 :
Création et planification
  • How will your group use the elements of dance and choreographic forms to convey your chosen theme?
  • What are the techniques used in dance film?  
  • As choreographer how can you use these techniques to manipulate what the viewer will see?
  • Comment votre groupe utilisera-t-il les éléments de la danse et les formes chorégraphiques pour transmettre le thème choisi ?
  • Quelles sont les techniques utilisées dans les films de danse ?
  • En tant que chorégraphe, comment pouvez-vous utiliser ces techniques pour manipuler ce que le spectateur verra ?
Lesson 4:
Creating the Storyboard
Leçon 4 :
Création du storyboard
  • How will your group present your ideas? 
  • What choices will your group make in regards to film techniques?
  • What does your group want your audience to see and experience?
  • How do you plan the choreography and filming before filming takes place?
  • Comment votre groupe présentera-t-il ses idées ?
  • Quels choix votre groupe fera-t-il en ce qui concerne les techniques cinématographiques ?
  • Qu'est-ce que votre groupe veut que le public voie et expérimente ?
  • Comment planifiez-vous la chorégraphie et le tournage avant le tournage ?
Lesson 5:
Rehearsing and Filming
Leçon 5 :
Répétition et tournage (présentation des story-boards)
  • How does it feel to perform when you are filming?
  • How is performing for the camera different than performing live?
  • Qu'est-ce que cela fait de jouer quand on est filmé ?
  • En quoi le fait de jouer devant la caméra est-il différent du fait de jouer en direct ?

Assessment and Evaluation: How will students demonstrate their learning?
Assessment of learning

Culminating Performance Task

Students will work in groups to create a dance film inspired by a source. This will be evaluated using a rubric.
Assessment for Learning

Checkpoint #1/Lesson 1

Teacher observation
Side coaching

Checkpoint #2/Lesson 2

Teacher observation
Side coaching
Peer feedback

Checkpoint #3/Lesson 3

Teacher observation
Side coaching
Peer feedback

Checkpoint #4/Lesson 4

Self-assessment (storyboard checklist)
Self-assessment (rubric)

Checkpoint #5/Lesson 5

Peer feedback

 

Unit Lessons: How will assessment and instruction be organized for learning?

Approx. Duration 1 class= 80

minutes
Lesson 1
Leçon 1

What is Dance Film? // Qu'est-ce qu'un film de danse ?

Students will view dance films and explore the differences between dance film, dance movies and videos of live dance performances.		 2 classes
Lesson 2
Leçon 2

Developing a Theme // Développer un thème

Students will use a children's storybook as the inspiration to create an individual movement sequence.		 2 classes
Lesson 3
Leçon 3

Creating and Planning // Création et planification

Students will work in a small group to create a dance piece based on the individual movement pieces they created. Students will have a chance to give and receive peer feedback.		 3 classes
Lesson 4
Leçon 4

Creating the Storyboard // Création du storyboard

As a class, students will examine the role storyboards play in filming. Groups will then create a storyboard for their dance piece.		 2 classes

Lesson 5
Leçon 5

Rehearsing and Filming // Répétition et tournage (présentation des story-boards)

Students will rehearse their dance piece and then carry out the filming plan using their storyboards.		 3-4 classes