Human Interest Video Project Deadline; Collaborative Coming of Age Play Script Project: Day 1

Please complete your Human Interest Video projects today during the lab. The last day to turn in your video will be Tuesday, Oct. 17.

If you finish today, please send me your video URL link in the COMMENT section of this post. 

If you finish with your film project, you may either write another 500-word short story or work on our next required project: Collaborative Coming of Age Play Script. See below for details.

4 stages of the coming of age story:

• REALIZATION -- changing, emotional and mental preparation, growing, physical changes
• REMOVAL -- change of status quo or familiar environment; separation from support units (family, friends, social institutions), experimentation with "forbidden" issues/activities--testing the limits of support units/social institutions, breaking rules/laws or beliefs, etc.
• CHALLENGE --- proving oneself; overcome a major problem or resolve a major conflict (killing the boss monster, growing mature, taking on responsibility, etc.)
• REINTEGRATION - protagonist comes back into society; character undergoes a rebirth, new status, or new understanding or epiphany of his/her situation.

Nine Characteristics of a Coming of Age experience or story

1. Usually the protagonist is between the ages of 12-18, but can be younger
2. Adults are either "bad guys" or not important--they represent society or laws or rules--the natural order of things; in some stories a parent is missing, absent, or dead. Authority figures are often antagonists to the protagonist. (see below)
3. Usually involves a journey of some sort (this can by a physical, mental, or spiritual journey)
4. Protagonist must confront his/her fears or weaknesses
5. Conflicts with a parent /guardian/authority figure
6. Protagonist learns something important (usually about him/herself)
7. There are usually a series of tests or challenges that the protagonist must face and overcome
8. The ending may be bittersweet--there is often a loss of innocence as a protagonist matures
9. Scarification (there are often scars left--physical or/and emotional), but these "wounds" mark the protagonist as a hero--he/she has come through the "storm" and is "wiser" for the experience. 

Collaborative play project:

• Work with a partner for this assignment. If you don't have a partner please let me know and I'll help you find one. 
• Using the four stages of the coming of age story and the 9 characteristics of a coming of age story (see above), write a short play in which a young protagonist comes into conflict with a parent or authority figure. The young protagonist should learn a valuable lesson or "mature" by the end of the play/scene. 
• Remember that plays are all about conflict. Your play should consist of 2 characters: a young protagonist and an authority figure or parent. Each character should in some way conflict with one another. 
• Keep your play in one setting.
• One partner should play and write the dialogue for one character (for example, the young protagonist). 
• The other partner should play and write the dialogue for the other character in the scene. 
• Write your draft in your google drive so you can share the file (without having to be right next to your partner). Share email addresses so you both can work on the file at the same time.
• Write your play in what you know or remember as play format. For advanced students, you can find proper play format at this link.
• This project is not due yet.

HOMEWORK: None. Complete your Human Interest Video.