Video Converters Update

Windows users

You will need to convert Youtube videos with a program called Real Player.  It is free.  Videos are downloaded as .flv files.  You will need to convert them to convert them to .wmv files.  Right click in your Real Player library on the file you downloaded, select convert to.  Change the format of the file to video, and then select WMV.  A link to the Real Player website.

Mac and iPad Users

I am still learning about these programs.  For Mac users, you need a program called MacTube available here


iPad users, there is an app called I cab mobile.  It costs $1.99.  There are many free video converters which use adds as their revenue.

The more we learn together, the more success we will have this project.

Movie Trailer Rubric and Presenation Dates

I am SO excited that you are SO excited for this Movie Trailer Project!!!

Thank you to all students who had "double" lessons on Thursday to ensure that you are ready to start the project on Monday.  A copy of the rubric and student created success criteria  can be found here.

Presentation Dates - we will have a movie trailer class were we will vote on the best trailer for each class.   This is your due date for your assignment.  Your trailer must be saved on a flash drive in .m4v or .wmv format on a USB flash drive to be played on my computer in class.

8A - Wednesday, January 30
8B - Tuesday, January 29
8C - Friday, February 1
8D - Thursday, January 31
8E - Wednesday, January 30

7C - Tuesday, January 29
7D - Wednesday, January 30
7E - Friday, February 1

Thank you and a reminder...

Thank you to the students have volunteered to share their technology at school and/or at home to ensure the success of our movie trailer project.  Please remember to bring everything you need to work on your projects at school during your scheduled class times.

A reminder that you will have the next two weeks to work on this assignment in class, and I look forward to have a movie trailer day in class were we select the best trailer from each class.

8A
Week of January 14 -Monday, Tuesday, Friday
Week of January 21 - Tuesday, Wednesday, Monday (following)

8B
Week of January 14 - Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
Week of January 21 - Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday

8C -

Week of January 14 - Thursday, Friday
Week of January 21 - Friday, Monday (following)

8D

Week of January 14 - Monday, Wednesday, Friday
Week of January 21 - Tuesday, Thursday, Monday (following)

8E

Week of January 14 - Tuesday, Wednesday
Week of January 21 - Wednesday, Thursday

7C

Week of January 14 - Monday, Tuesday, Thursday
Week of January 21 - Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday

7D

Week of January 14 - Tuesday, Thursday
Week of January 21 - Wednesday, Friday

7E

Week of January 14 - Monday, Thursday, Friday
Week of January 21 - Tuesday, Friday, Monady (following)

Trailer Short Story Plot Diagram

In your small group, you need to complete a plot diagram for your story to demonstrate you understand what main idea and plot of your story are before beginning your movie trailer.

You will have time in class to work on it, but if you run out of time, and need another copy, here it is.   Plot Diagram

Video Converster for Movie Trailers

Students who have generously shared their technology for the movie trailer projects are asked to download Real Player on to their laptops. A link to the Real Player website.

I am still learning how to keep videos for iPad users for iMovie.  If you know of a way, an app, program, website etc, please let me know.

*** update  a student shared the website www.keepvid.com as a way to convert Youtube clips for iMovie.

next update for Mac Users - Real Player SP for Mac OS X for free  Mac users, can you please let me know if this link works.  It should allow you to download videos from YouTube.

**** another update.  Check out this website to learn about how to convert Youtube videos for iPads

Short Stories for Movie Trailers

To help ensure you are making meaningful connections, I have selected the following short stories for the movie trailers project.  You will be put into groups based on availability of technology and story preferences.

Here is a list of stories that are available.  You are required to choose from this list. I have included some of my selections from the presentations.  You are welcome to choose one of those stories, as long as it was not what you presented on.  

Comedy
The Star - very selfish actor who is faced the actual end of the world
Hermann the Irascible - the King of England makes a law that women MUST vote, and what women do to stop this.
Uncomfortable Bed - friends who play practical jokes and the results

Mystery
The Cobweb - a family inherits an old farm, with a crazy old woman.
A Diagnosis of Death  - a man learns he can predict his own death
The Boarded Window - a man dealing with the death of his wife

Fairy Tales
The Frog Prince -  a young princess who befriends a frog
Rumpelstiltskin - a young princess who can spin gold and the curse that comes from that

Sci-Fi
A Most Ambitious Experiment -  scientist learns how to time travel and hopes to make money by learning from the future.

Drama
The Lottery - a game everyone wants to play, but no one wants to win
The Most Dangerous Game - when man becomes the hunted.
Lamb to the Slaughter - how a wife gets away with murder

Children's Story
The Hockey Sweater - young boy's drama of wearing the wrong hockey sweater
The Paper Bag Princess - classic Robert Munch!

Making Movies!

If you missed your last class before the holiday break, you missed hearing about our movie trailer work that will will be focusing on to finish up our Short Story unit.

In groups, you will read a short story that I've selected (this helps to ensure that the connections you are making are meaningful and relevent) and create a movie trailer for it.

We will be going over the elements of a trailers and creating success criteria together (and then merged for all 8 classes) during the first week of class, and then off to the library to use the iPads.

We will be using the iPads to search for movie clips and graphics as well as creating your own videos and graphics.  The mobile computer lab is booked solid, so we don't have access to it.

Students who are comfortable bringing in their iPads or laptops to schools with iMovie or Movie Maker on it to actually create the trailers.  The iPads at our school do not have iMovie on them currently (it is on our school wish list).  Our success with this project will be dependent on availablity of student technology.  In class, approximately 4-5 students confirmed that they could bring in their own technology.

iMovie is available for download for $4.99

Windows Movie Marker is available for free