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Have you ever sat in front of a blank page or screen and not known where to start? There's no ideas flowing and you just sit waiting for them to come?
Have you ever sat in front of a blank page or screen and not known where to start? There's no ideas flowing and you just sit waiting for them to come?
Ideas generation methods
Ideas generation methods
1. Individual activity: Automatic writing
1. Individual activity: Automatic writing
This is the process of writing where you're not allowed to stop writing and you just have to write what comes into your mind, even if it repeating a phrase.
This is the process of writing where you're not allowed to stop writing and you just have to write what comes into your mind, even if it repeating a phrase.
Using this app you'll have 5 minutes to write without stopping. But be careful, if you stop writing you'll lose what you've written!
Using this app you'll have 5 minutes to write without stopping. But be careful, if you stop writing you'll lose what you've written!
2. Whole class activity.
2. Whole class activity.
Open your google sites and create a new page called 'Short Film Project' if you don't have one already and put 'Ideas Generation class' as the title.
Open your google sites and create a new page called 'Short Film Project' if you don't have one already and put 'Ideas Generation class' as the title.
Generate a random word from randomwordgenerator.com - go to the tab at the top and you can ask for a noun a verb, a name etc. Whatever you choose, click on 'generate random' and put this as the next heading.
Generate a random word from randomwordgenerator.com - go to the tab at the top and you can ask for a noun a verb, a name etc. Whatever you choose, click on 'generate random' and put this as the next heading.
You then have one minute to write as much as you can for the opening to a story based upon that word or phrase. If you're stuck, try 'Once upon a time' to start it.
You then have one minute to write as much as you can for the opening to a story based upon that word or phrase. If you're stuck, try 'Once upon a time' to start it.
Rules: No inappropriate language or actions that may cause offence including use of weapons etc
After that, swap computers with the person next to you and they will have one minute to write as much as they can to continue the story after they've read what's been written so far.
After that, swap computers with the person next to you and they will have one minute to write as much as they can to continue the story after they've read what's been written so far.
We'll then keep swapping computers until we start to wrap the story up. We can read some out!
We'll then keep swapping computers until we start to wrap the story up. We can read some out!
3. Pair activity: Mash-up!
3. Pair activity: Mash-up!
Think of a film you know well and bulletpoint the main plot and characters and any other things of interest.
Think of a film you know well and bulletpoint the main plot and characters and any other things of interest.
Get into a pair and show each other your bulletpointed list.
Get into a pair and show each other your bulletpointed list.
Your task is to come up with a new idea by combining elements from each film.
Your task is to come up with a new idea by combining elements from each film.
i.e. Harry Potter and Jaws. The story of a shark who lives in a cupboard under the stairs.
i.e. Harry Potter and Jaws. The story of a shark who lives in a cupboard under the stairs.
How far can you develop this idea together?
How far can you develop this idea together?
4.Small group activity: Newspaper cutouts
4.Small group activity: Newspaper cutouts
Cut out words from a newspaper and add them to a class poster to see if we can generate any interesting word combinations or word images.
Cut out words from a newspaper and add them to a class poster to see if we can generate any interesting word combinations or word images.
Task 1
Task 1
Explore key storytelling theories from Propp, Todorov and Campbell to understand how characters and narrative structures shape films. Use this research to strengthen your own story ideas and apply these models to your shot film planning.
Explore key storytelling theories from Propp, Todorov and Campbell to understand how characters and narrative structures shape films. Use this research to strengthen your own story ideas and apply these models to your shot film planning.
Propp's Character Types
Propp's Character Types
Propp's Character Theory Introdution
Propp analysed some Russian Folktales from the 1920s and noticed that the majority contained the same narrative functions, specifically 31 functions. This theory has since become synonymous with his 7 character archetypes. Archetypes are quite simply characters universally assoicated with a certain genre. From a fantasy perspective, Propp would suggest the following 7 archetypes. These archetypes can be associated to most genres, helping shape the narrative.
Hero – the good guy(s)
Villain – The bad guy
The Donor – Sacrifices something to enable the hero to continue
The Helper – Helps the hero
Princess – Need saving by the hero
False Hero – The character who could be on anyone’s side
The Dispatcher – send the hero on their way
20/10/25 Task (Part 1 of Task 1)
20/10/25 Task (Part 1 of Task 1)
After watching the video research Propp's Character theory and evidence your understanding of it on your site. (Add images and embed video along with your written explanation.) Then use it to strengthen your own story ideas and apply explain how you will apply props theory to your shot film planning.
After watching the video research Propp's Character theory and evidence your understanding of it on your site. (Add images and embed video along with your written explanation.) Then use it to strengthen your own story ideas and apply explain how you will apply props theory to your shot film planning.
Todorov's Theory of Equilibrium
Todorov's Theory of Equilibrium
Todorov has the idea that all narratives share a basic structure that involves a movement from one state of equilibrium to another. The key consideration is that these two states of equilibrium are separated by a period of imbalance or disequilibrium (chaos). He also stated that the way in which narratives are resolved can have particular ideological significance. This theory is split into 5 stages:
Equilibrium – The setting is established, key character(s) are introduced and the plot is set up.
Disruption – Oppositional character(s) appear and the story takes a particular direction.
Recognition of disruption – The lives of characters and events are interwoven. Tension builds throughout this section, which is often the longest.
Attempt to repair disruption – the highest point of tension after which there is a change in dynamic.
Reinstatement of equilibrium – matters are sorted out, problems are solved and questions answered.
The Hero's Journey (Campbell)
The Hero's Journey (Campbell)
03/11/25 Task (Part 2 of Task 1)
03/11/25 Task (Part 2 of Task 1)
Evidence your understanding of theories of Todorov and Campbell and document this on your site. (Add images and embed video along with your written explanation.) Then these theories to strengthen your own story ideas and give expamples of how you will apply these to your shot film planning.
Evidence your understanding of theories of Todorov and Campbell and document this on your site. (Add images and embed video along with your written explanation.) Then these theories to strengthen your own story ideas and give expamples of how you will apply these to your shot film planning.
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