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Alias Grace: A Media Extension–Creating a Movie Trailer for the Novel
Photo Story and Pod Casts

MEDIA TASK:

• Imagine...you are pitching Margaret Atwood’s Alias Grace to two independent film directors who are shopping for a new film for a film ‘literate’, culturally intelligent demographic. Specifically, they are open to script adaptations and movie trailers for internationally renowned Canadian Literature. You and your partner (you are practically like Ben Affleck and Matt Damon getting your start) decide to create your trailer from a unique and powerful motif, theme or issue from the novel. You will use your knowledge of ‘photo story’ and ‘podcasts’ in your pitch to these very critical movie directors.

• So...In groups of _______, choose a motif, theme or issue from the novel below:

i) Twisted Psychologists
ii) Bizarre Love Triangles
iii) The Quest for Identity
iv) Grace Marks: Natural Born Killer
v) Grace Marks: Natural Born Quilter
vi) Grace Marks: Innocent, Terrorized Victim
vii) Repressed Sexuality and the 19th Century Class Divide
viii) Hypnosis and the 19th Century Spiritualist Craze
ix) Buried Memories, Dreams and Unlocking the Past
x) The Ambiguous Nature of Truth
xi) Hypocrisy, Aliases and Deception
xii) Imprisonment, Bondage and the Futility of Escape
xiii) Grace Marks and the ‘Antic Disposition’
xiv) Grace Marks: Pioneering Feminism
xv) Dirty Laundry and the Grace Marks’ Story
xvi) Grace Marks: A story of Physical, Psychological, and Spiritual scars
xvii) Grace Marks and the Trials of Irish Immigration to Canada
xviii) Spinning her Tale: Grace Marks and problematic narratives
xix) Grace Marks: A subversive spirit of democracy in 19th Century Canada
xx) “In Very Confused Blood”: The Unsolved Mystery of Murderess Grace Marks

• Using ‘photo story’ and ‘podcasts’ create a movie trailer for the novel Alias Grace centered around your theme, motif or issue from the novel. This is essentially the point of view of the trailer as it seeks to appeal to a ‘film literate’, and ‘culturally intelligent’ independent film audience.

• Be sure to provide a unified, clear sequence of images which incorporate voice-over and sound to enhance the dramatic appeal of a movie trailer. After seeing your trailer, the directors must want to pursue your script adaptation and unique point of view.

Alias Grace: A Media Extension–Creating a Movie Trailer for the Novel
Photo Story and Pod Casts (continued)

THE REQUIREMENTS FOR YOUR TRAILER:

• numerous slides of key scenes, characters, images, settings, symbols which illustrate your theme, motif or topic in Alias Grace

• a modern connection or ‘life lesson’ which would appeal to an intelligent film audience

• appropriate music playing throughout (or in key moments) of your trailer

• one dramatic scene, at least one minute in length with a script of two or more voices (use your knowledge of podcasts and integrate your script into your photo story).

• one-word captions in certain segments of the photo story for effect

• credits at the end of your trailer

• a minimum time length of _______________ minutes

THE DUE DATES:

• Your photo story workshop will take place on: __________________________________.

• Your work periods on the trailer will be: _______________________________________.

• Your presentations will be in the seminar room on: _______________________________.

Partners’ Names: _____________________________________________________________

Topic Chosen: ________________________________________________________________

Please see rubric on the next page...

Alias Grace Movie Trailer Rubric

Categories Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4
Knowledge/
Understanding - purpose and point of view not clear

-factually inaccurate; no extension of ideas - purpose and point of view somewhat clear

-some factual inaccuracies; some extension of ideas - purpose identifiable; clear point of view

-factually accurate; considerable extension of ideas -purpose easily identifiable; unique and sophisticated point of view

-factually accurate; insightful extension of ideas
Thinking/
Inquiry - demonstrates limited use of audio & visual devices

- shows limited use of interesting & original features - demonstrates some use of audio & visual devices

- shows some use of interesting & original features - demonstrates considerable use of audio & visual devices

- shows competent use of interesting & original features - demonstrates sophisticated use of audio & visual devices

- shows outstanding use of interesting & original features
Communication - uses appropriate language & voice with limited effectiveness & consistency

- presents a disjointed visual narrative - uses appropriate language & voice with some effectiveness & consistency

- presents a simple visual narrative - uses appropriate language & voice with considerable effectiveness & consistency

- presents a strong visual narrative - uses appropriate language & voice with a high degree of effectiveness & consistency

- presents an insightful and powerful visual narrative
Application - shows limited use of dramatic conventions & command of dramatic structure

- shows limited preparation and command of the media & technology used
- shows some use of dramatic conventions & command of dramatic structure

- shows some preparation and command of the media & technology used
- shows considerable use of dramatic conventions & command of dramatic structure

- shows considerable preparation and command of the media & technology used
- shows sophisticated use of dramatic conventions & command of dramatic structure

- shows strong preparation and command of the media & technology used

Comment: Level: ____ %