Lights, Camera, Action: Shakespeare on Film

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Lights, Camera, ActionShakespeare on Film

• Unit of Study
• Shakespeares Biography
• Elizabethan England
• Themes in Romeo and Juliet
• Zeffirellis Romeo and Juliet
• Luhrmanns Romeo and Juliet
• Group Activities
• Presentations
• Journal Responses
• Oral and Composition Rubrics
• Useful Websites

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Unit of Study

• Purpose
• To recognize the key components in Zeffirellis
  and Luhrmanns films that contribute to the
  overall understanding of Romeo and Juliet.
• Objectives
• View both Zeffirellis and Luhrmanns Romeo and
  Juliet.
• Identify the similarities and differences between
  the two films.
• Discuss the highly debated scenes and how each
  director portrayed it.
• Collaborate on the important use of film in the
  classroom.
• Listen to Video and Sound Clips from both films
  to foster an understanding of how sound benefits
  the films.

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Unit of Study Continued

• Class Materials
• Zeffirellis and Luhrmanns film versions
• Film discussion questions
• Group film activities
• Class paper presentation
• Journal responses
• YouTube Video and Sound Clips
• Online reference material
• Standards
• General Language Strand 2.5 Summarize in a
  coherent and organized way information and ideas
  learned from a focused discussion.
• General Language Strand 3.14 Give formal and
  informal talks to various audiences and for
  various purposes using appropriate levels of
  formality and rhetorical devices
• General Reading Strand 8.29 Identify and
  analyze patterns of imagery and symbolism
• General Reading Strand 8.30 Identify and
  interpret themes and giving supporting evidence
  from the text
• General Reading Strand 10.5 Compare and
  contrast the presentation of theme or topic
  across genres to explain on the selection of
  genres shapes the message
• General Reading Strand 17.7 Identify and
  analyze how dramatic conventions support,
  interpret, and enhance dramatic text.

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Unit of Study Continued

• General Composition Strand 19.27 Write
  well-organized research papers that prove a
  thesis statement using logical organization,
  effective supporting evidence, and variety in
  sentence structure.
• General Presentation Strand 25.5 Use
  group-generated criteria for evaluating different
  forms of writing and explain why these are
  important before applying them.
• General Media Strand 26.5 Analyze visual or
  aural techniques used in a media message for a
  particular audience and evaluate their
  effectiveness.
• General Media Strand 27.6 Create media
  presentations that effectively use graphics,
  images, and/or sound to present a distinctive
  point of view on a topic.
• General Media Strand 27.7 Develop and apply
  criteria for assessing the effectiveness of the
  presentation, style, and content of films and
  other forms of electronic communication.

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William ShakespearePlease click on the link
above to review Shakespeares biography

• 1564- 1616
• English poet and playwright
• Considered the greatest writer in the English
  language and one of the first dramatists
• Referred to as Englands national poet and the
  Bard of Avon (click on link to review information
  regarding Avon)
• His surviving works include 38 plays, 154
  sonnets, 2 long narrative poems, and numerous
  other poems
• His plays are world renowned, have been
  translated into all major surviving languages,
  and are performed on stage more than any other
  playwright

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Elizabethan EnglandPlease click on the
hyperlinks to review the aspects of Elizabethan
England

• Queen Elizabeth
• Elizabethan Times
• The Church of England
• Elizabethan Education
• The Tudors

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Themes in Romeo and Juliet

• Tragic Flaw
• Light v. Dark
• Destiny
• Suicide
• Revenge
• Parent/Child Conflict
• Love at First Sight?
• Romeo and Juliet (Play Version click on link
  for complete e-text)

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Famous Quotes

• Romeo But soft! What light through younder
  window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the
  sun! (Act Two, Scene II, line 2)
• Juliet O Romeo, O Romeo! Wherefore art thou
  Romeo? Deny thy father and refuse they name
• Or, if thou wilt not, be swore my love, And
  Ill no longer be a Capulet. (Act Two, Scene II,
  line 33)
• Juliet Whats in a name? That which we
  call a rose
• By any other name would smell as sweet
  (Act Two, Scene II, line 43)
• Romeo O, I am fortunes fool! (Act Three,
  Scene I, line 95)

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Discussion Questions for Zeffirellis Romeo and
Juliet Act One(We will use these Discussion
Questions as we watch the films please take
notes based upon the questions)

• How does Zeffirelli set the tone and mood of the
  film?
• How are the Capulets shown in the film?
• How are the Montagues shown in the film?
• What starts the brawl in the marketplace?
• How do we know that Zeffirelli has chosen to view
  the entire play seriously?
• Why is Romeo depressed?
• What is the relationship of Juliet and the Nurse?
• What surprising choice does Zeffirelli make about
  Lady Capulet?
• Why is the love song significant?
• How does Juliet react to Romeos words?

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Group Activity Act One(We will complete these
group activities while we watch the films
please take notes based on your ideas and
questions)

• Write a minute review of Act 1 of the film and
  address the following aspects
• The cuts to the text
• The acting style
• The setting (lighting, sounds, music, etc)
• Reaction to seeing the actors play the characters
  we have read about as a class (Focus in on how
  the characters sound, look, and act, is it what
  you expected?)

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Discussion Questions Act Two

• How is the balcony scene shown in the film?
• What does Juliet tell Romeo when he ask for her
  vow of love?
• What proof of his love does Juliet ask from
  Romeo?
• How does Romeo react?
• What does Romeo do when he leaves Juliet?
• Why is Mercutio wondering where Romeo is?
• What happens when the Nurse goes to see Romeo?
• What warning does Friar Lawrence gives Romeo?
• What happens when Juliet goes to Friar Lawrences
  room?
• How is the wedding shown in the film?

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Group Activity Act Two

• Count off by 2s (all 1s get together and all of
  the 2s get get together)
• Re-enact the scene as show in the film.
• Discuss the parts you liked and disliked
  regarding the films portrayal of Act Two.

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Discussion Questions Act Three

• What triggers Mercutios fight with Tybalt?
• Why does Tybalt want to fight Romeo?
• How does Mercutio die?
• What does Romeo do?
• How does Tybalt die?
• What does Juliet think when the Nurse tells her
  that Romeo killed Tybalt?
• What does Friar Lawrence tell Romeo?
• How is the wedding night shown in the film?
• What plans have the Capulets arranged?
• Why does Lady Capulet think Juliet is crying?

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Group Activity Act Three

• Brainstorm for a few minutes about the parts of
  Act Three that were clearer because of the movie
• Regroup into a Seminar Circle to discuss the
  brainstorm ideas (identify the similarities and
  differences)

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Discussion Questions Act Four

• Who does Juliet meet at Friar Lawrences
• What plan does Friar Lawrence devise?
• How do we know that Friar Lawrence is nervous
  about the plan?
• What does Juliet do when she gets home?
• How is Juliets drinking of the potion displayed
  in the film?
• Is it how you portrayed it in your mind?
• How is the letter sent to Romeo?
• How is Juliet found?
• How is Juliets funeral shown in the film?
• Is it a believable funeral?

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Group Activities Act Four

• Free Write Activity Write a five minute journal
  response acting as either Juliet or Romeo during
  Act Four (what are you feeling, how would you
  have reacted?)
• Group Share Volunteers will be asked to share
  their Free Write Responses with the class

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Discussion Questions Act Five

• What news does Balthasar bring Romeo?
• What is Romeos reaction?
• How does Romeo get into Capulets tomb?
• What does Romeo do when he sees Juliet?
• Who else does Romeo see in the tomb?
• How does Romeo die?
• What happens when Friar Lawrence goes into the
  tomb?
• What does Friar Lawrence tell Juliet?
• What does Juliet do when she sees Romeos body?
• How does the film end?

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Group Activity Act Five

• Pretend to be either Juliet or Romeo in Act Five
• Brainstorm how you would react if you had been in
  their places
• Group Sharing Share your character choice and
  how you felt putting yourself in the characters
  shoes

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Discussion Questions for Luhrmanns Romeo and
Juliet Act One

• How does Luhrmann set the tone and mood of the
  film?
• How is the opening fight shown in the film?
• What choices does Luhrmann make for the
  background of the film?
• How is Gloria, Juliet, Mercutio, and Romeo shown
  in the film
• How is the Capulets feast shown in the film?
• What choice does Luhrmann make about Gloria?
• When does Romeo first see Juliet?
• What costume does Dave and Romeo have?
• Where do Romeo and Juliet have their first kiss?
• Why can the music in this film be considered a
  character?

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Group Activity Act One

• Write a minute review of Act 1 of the film and
  address the following aspects
• How it differs from Zeffirillis version
• The acting style
• The setting (lighting, sounds, music, etc)
• Reaction to seeing the actors play the characters
  we have read about as a class (Focus in on how
  the characters sound, look, and act, is it what
  you expected?)

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Discussion Questions Act Two

• How is the balcony scene shown in the film?
• What is Juliets plan?
• What token does Juliet give Romeo?
• How is Father Lawrence shown in the film?
• How does the balcony scene differ from
  Zeffirillis film version? Which do you like
  better?
• What does the Nurse tell Romeo?
• What does the Nurse tell Juliet?
• How is the wedding portrayed in the film?
• Do you think this portrayal is better or worse
  than Zeffirillis?
• What does Father Lawrence tell Romeo and Juliet?

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Group Activity Act Two

• Count off by 2s (all 1s get together and all of
  the 2s get get together)
• Re-enact the scene as show in the film.
• Discuss the parts you liked and disliked
  regarding the films portrayal of Act Two.

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Discussion Questions Act Three

• What does Mercutio tell Benvolio on the beach?
• How does Tybalt insult Mercutio?
• What is Romeos reaction to Mercutios death?
• What is Juliet doing during this scene?
• What happens when Tybalts death is discovered?
• What does the Chief do?
• What surprising items decorate Juliets room?
• How is the wedding night shown? (Similarities and
  differences with Zeffirellis version)
• What is Fulgencio doing downstairs while Romeo
  and Juliet are upstairs?
• How does Juliet react to her fathers marriage
  arrangements?

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Group Activity Act Three

• Brainstorm for a few minutes about the parts of
  Act Three that were clearer because of the movie
• Regroup into a Seminar Circle to discuss the
  brainstorm ideas (identify the similarities and
  differences)

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Discussion Questions Act Four

• Who does Juliet meet at Father Lawrences?
• What is Father Lawrences plan?
• How is Father Lawrences dwelling portrayed in
  the film?
• What happens to Father Lawrences letter to
  Romeo?
• How is Juliets drinking of the potion portrayed
  in the film?
• Does it differ from Zeffirellis version?
• What happens the morning after?
• How is Juliets funeral shown?
• Does it differ from Zeffirellis version?
• Which funeral scene do you like the best and why?

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Group Activity Act Four

• Free Write Activity Write a five minute journal
  response acting as either Juliet or Romeo during
  Act Four (what are you feeling, how would have
  reacted?)
• Group Share Volunteers will be asked to share
  their Free Write Responses with the class

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Discussion Questions Act Five

• Why does Romeo not receive Father Lawrences
  letters?
• What happens when Father Lawrence finds out the
  letter was not delivered?
• Why does the Chief of Police launch a search?
• What happens when Romeo gets to the tomb?
• Where is Dave Paris?
• What happens when Romeo enters the tomb?
• What happens when Romeo sees Juliet?
• What surprising choice does Luhrmann make during
  this scene?
• What does Juliet do?
• How does the film end?

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Group Activity Act Five

• Free Write Activity Consider the two film
  endings, which ending was most believable, which
  ending did you like the best, and why?
• Group Sharing Volunteers will share their free
  write responses with the class.

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Group Film Activities(Write a Journal Entry
based on the activities below)
Zeffirellis Version (1968) Activity Make notes about directorial choices (set/setting, music/soundtrack, costumes/clothes) Decide whether audience is encouraged to side with the Montagues or the Capulets? (both or neither) What is your response to the opening fight scene. How does the director establish the ideal of rival gangs? Luhrmanns Version (1996) Activity Make notes about directorial choices (set/setting, music/soundtrack, costumes/clothes) Decide whether audience is encouraged to side with the Montagues or the Capulets? (both or neither) What is your response to the opening fight scene. How does the director establish the ideal of rival gangs?
Zeffirelli Character Box Activity Choose a character to follow in the film Build up a complete picture of the character (think 5 sense and find something relevant for each sense) Include sight touch scent hearing taste Luhrmann Character Box Activity Choose a character to follow in the film Build up a complete picture of the character (think 5 sense and find something relevant for each sense) Include sight touch scent hearing taste
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YouTube Video Sound Clips Click on the link
below to access the following Romeo and Juliet
Clips (http//www.youtube.com/view_play_list?pC99
1CF258160FED5)(Write a Journal Entry based on
your actions and responses to the clips)
Zeffirelli Trailer What aspects of this Trailer version do you like and why? How has the Trailer portrayed the film? What components would you have changed or added? Balcony Scene What parts of this scene do you feel Zeffirelli does better than Luhrmann? How are the aspects of this scene different than Luhrmanns version? LuhrmannTrailer What aspects of this Trailer version do you like and why? How has the Trailer portrayed the film? What components would you have changed or added? Kissing Scene What parts of this scene do you feel Luhrmann does better than Zeffirelli? How are the aspects of this scene different than Zeffirellis version?
What is Youth? What does this scene add to the film? What are the differences when comparing Luhrmanns version in regards to this scene? Everything I Do How do you think this chosen song adds to the overview of the film? What song would you choose to represent this version? Final Scene What does this scene add to the movie? What are the differences when comparing Zeffirellis version in regards to this scene? Love U Forever How do you think this chosen song adds to the overview of the film? What song would you choose to represent this version?
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Class Presentation ChoicesThis is a combined
Writing and Oral Assignment, you will be graded
on your written submission and your presentation
based upon the topic selected Note If there is
an additional topic you would like to research,
submit a proposal in writing

• Choice One
• Write a compare and contrast paper based on the
  similarities and differences between Zeffirellis
  and Luhrmanns film versions of Romeo and Juliet.
• Identify film aspects including setting,
  character focus, actor choice, costume choice,
  and music (how do these key items inhibit and/or
  elevate the film)

• Choice Two
• Choose one of the important themes in Romeo and
  Juliet and identify how those scenes are
  portrayed in Zeffirellis and Luhrmanns film
  versions.
• Be sure to address at least three aspects of each
  film that support the theme discussed.

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Journal ResponsesMake sure to bring your
journals with you to each class, as you will be
able to use them for reference when participating
in the Socratic Circle discussions

• Each class period, you will be responsible for
  completing a one page pre-class and post-class
  written journal response, identifying items that
  you have questions about, you would like to
  discuss in more depth, characters that you relate
  to, characters that you despise, or ideas that
  you may for group work
• This is your chance to talk freely, please put
  all of your thoughts down on the page (Do not
  worry about grammatical and syntax, you will only
  be graded on content of your responses)
• You will be required to hand your journals in at
  the end of the unit for my review

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Rubrics for Oral Presentation and Composition
Components

• Oral Rubric.doc
• Click on the above link to access the Oral
  Presentation Rubric that will be used for grading
  purposes.

• Composition Rubric.doc
• Click on the above link to access the Composition
  Rubric that will be used for grading purposes.

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Socratic Circle Journal TalkSocratic Circle
Participation Reference GuideNote Click on the
link above to learn more about participating in
Socratic Circle

• Based upon your journal responses and group
  activities, we will conduct a Socratic Circle to
  discuss some of the key questions identified
  throughout the unit
• This is a great time to discuss potential paper
  topic questions and ideas
• The Socratic Circle is also an important place to
  determine the pros and cons of each film version.

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Useful WebsitesThese websites could be
beneficial in your research and to learn more
about Shakespeare and his time, Romeo and Juliet,
and his other plays

• http//library.thinkquest.org/19539/randj.htmb
• http//www.imdb.com/title/tt0063518/
• http//www.imdb.com/title/tt0117509/
• http//absoluteshakespeare.com/guides/romeo_and_ju
  liet/romeo_and_juliet.htm
• http//members.accessus.net/bradley/RJQuotes.html
  
• http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romeo_and_Juliet