English 2

Name:___________________________
Unit: Actions and Consequences
Final Assessment: Performance Task
Date:____________________________

TRAGIC CONSEQUENCES: A SHORT FILM PROJECT

Objective:
For this assignment, you will consider what youve learned through our study of Oedipus
the King, Macbeth, Aristotles Elements of Tragedy, and film techniques in order to write,
perform, and film your own original tragedy. The best films are the ones that most
creatively employ the 8 basic Elements of Tragedy and at least 4 film techniques we will
soon explore and discuss in class. You will use the organizer included in this packet to
help you in the planning process. You will turn in a finalized, typed copy of this with your
completed film.
Process:
1. Select your group (4 students).
2. Choose a storyline: consult your Quick Pitches and Story Starters in order to
collaboratively decide on one scenario.
3. Obtain teacher approval.
4. Complete organizer in order to determine how the 8 elements of tragedy will
present themselves in your drama (as well as 4 film techniques we will get to this
eventually). Dont forget to add music and sound effects to enhance your plot and
themes!
5. Compose Screenplay (10-12 pages). Do this in Google Drive so everyone has
access!
6. Film your tragedy. Include at least 4 film techniques.
7. Screen your tragedy for the class.
8. Evaluate the effectiveness of your film based on class feedback in a Reflective Film
Critique. More instructions to follow.
Production:
1. Using all the elements from the planning stages, film your scene and burn it to a
DVD or post it on YouTube and send me the link. YOU MUST TEST YOUR
TECHNOLOGY AHEAD OF TIME. You will lose points from your final project if there
are technological problems the day of screening.
2. The 8 tragic elements and 4 film techniques should be showcased in your film.
While acting you should consider: facial expressions, body language, and blocking.
The key to acting is staying in character, even when one doesnt have lines to say.
Your lines must be memorized.

3. On the day of presentations, your group must be ready to screen and discuss your
film; extensions will not be granted, even in the case of absence.
4. FINAL PACKET FOR EACH GROUP INCLUDES: cover page, typed organizer outlining 8
elements and film techniques, typed screenplay, DVD or link to YouTube video.
Planning: Use the following organizer to guide you through your project. It would be helpful to
complete a plot diagram as you brainstorm plot. You will turn in a typed version of this organizer
with your completed project.

Element of
Tragedy/Film
Technique

Tragic hero

character who makes an error

of judgment or has a fatal flaw
that leads to tragic downfall;
must not be all good or all bad

Tragic flaw
character defect that leads
directly to the downfall of the
tragic hero

Discovery

the tragic hero passes from

ignorance at the beginning of
the tragedy to knowledge at
the end

Peripety
tragic heros change from
happiness to misery by the
conclusion of the tragedy

How will each tragic element and film technique appear

in your project?

Chorus
company of actors who
comment on the action of a
tragedy

Pity and Fear

audience must feel sorry for
the tragic hero at the end of
the tragedy and be
emotionally invested as it
unfolds

Catharsis
purging or cleansing of the
audiences emotions by the
conclusion of the tragedy

Include 1 type of irony:

Dramatic Irony
occurs when the audience
knows something important
that the character(s) do not
know

Situational Irony
occurs when an outcome is
different or opposite of what is
expected

Verbal Irony
occurs when a character says
one thing but means the
opposite implicitly

Close-Up
Wide Shot
Worms-Eye View
Birds-Eye View

Establishing Shot

Audio/Music

Tragic Consequences Unit 3: Actions & Consequences Project Rubric

Incorporation of
8 Elements of
Tragedy

Overall
effectiveness of
film

Screenplay
format &
conventions

Exceeds
Expectations

Meets
Expectations

Approaches
Expectations

Beginning
Expectations

Film clearly and

creatively
incorporates all 8
Elements of Tragedy;
demonstrates
detailed
understanding of
Elements of Tragedy
as applied to the film

Film incorporates all 8

Elements of Tragedy;
demonstrates
understanding of
Elements of Tragedy
as applied to the film;
1 or 2 elements may
be unclear or possibly
misinterpreted

Film fails to
incorporate 1-2
Elements of Tragedy;
demonstrates some
understanding of
Elements of Tragedy
as applied to the film;
2+ elements may be
unclear or possibly
misinterpreted

Film demonstrates
evidence of sincere
effort on the part the
production team in
terms of acting,
interpretation,
creativity/wit,
costumes/scenery;
successful effort at
clean audio and
editing
Screenplay shows
sincere effort on the
part of the production
team to adhere to the
conventions of
screenplay
formatting;
screenplay is
formatted correctly
and is 7-10 pages in
length; screenplays
plot and content align
with expectations of
creating an original
tragedy

Film demonstrates
evidence of sincere
effort on the part the
production team in
terms of acting,
interpretation,
creativity/wit,
costumes/scenery;
mostly successful
effort at clean audio
and editing
Screenplay shows
effort on the part of
the production team
to adhere to the
conventions of
screenplay
formatting;
screenplay is mostly
formatted correctly
and is 7-10 pages in
length; screenplays
plot and content align
with most
expectations of
creating an original
tragedy

Film demonstrates
evidence of some
effort on the part the
production team in
terms of acting,
interpretation,
creativity/wit,
costumes/scenery;
somewhat successful
effort at clean audio
and editing
Screenplay shows
some effort on the
part of the production
team to adhere to the
conventions of
screenplay
formatting;
screenplay is not
formatted correctly
and is under 7 pages;
screenplays plot and
content align with
some expectations of
creating an original
tragedy

Film fails to
incorporate 3+
Elements of Tragedy;
demonstrates
minimal
understanding of
Elements of Tragedy
as applied to the film;
many elements may
be unclear or possibly
misinterpreted
Film demonstrates
little to no evidence
of effort on the part
the production team
in terms of acting,
interpretation,
creativity/wit,
costumes/scenery;
minimal effort at
creating clean audio
and editing
Screenplay shows
little to no effort on
the part of the
production team to
adhere to the
conventions of
screenplay
formatting;
screenplay is not
formatted correctly
and is well under 7
pages; screenplays
plot and content do
not align with
expectations of
creating an original
tragedy

Use of 3 film
techniques

Individual
Participation in
production

Film demonstrates
creativity and precise
use of distance (wideshot/close-up),
perspective (wormseye/birds-eye) and
establishing shot(s)
to help visually
represent themes or
elements of tragedy
Individual
demonstrates
consistent
participation and
equal share of
responsibility in all
elements of preproduction,
screenplay
composition, and
production/postproduction of the final
product

Film uses all 3 film

techniques: (wideshot/close-up),
perspective (wormseye/birds-eye) and
establishing shot(s)
to help visually
represent themes or
elements of tragedy;
most techniques are
used effectively
Individual
demonstrates
consistent
participation and
equal share of
responsibility in most
elements of preproduction,
screenplay
composition, and
production/postproduction of the final
product

Film uses some film

techniques: (wideshot/close-up),
perspective (wormseye/birds-eye) and
establishing shot(s)
to help visually
represent themes or
elements of tragedy;
some techniques are
used effectively
Individual
demonstrates
inconsistent
participation and
equal share of
responsibility in some
elements of preproduction,
screenplay
composition, and
production/postproduction of the final
product

Film demonstrates
little to no effort at
employing the 3 film
techniques: (wideshot/close-up),
perspective (wormseye/birds-eye) and
establishing shot(s) to
help visually
represent themes or
elements of tragedy
Individual
demonstrates limited
to no participation
and unequal share of
responsibility in all
elements of preproduction,
screenplay
composition, and
production/postproduction of the final
product

COMMENTS:

TOTAL

/ 150

Name: ___________________________________
English 2 Unit 3: Actions & Consequences
Tragic Consequences

Quick Pitches
A famous movie producer is looking for movie pitches for a short-film original tragedy she wants
to hit theatres later this spring. Using your knowledge of tragedy, create a Quick Pitch you
think the producer may want put into production!
DIRECTIONS:
1. Use your Elements of Tragedy and Whats Tragic worksheets to review expectations for
a truly tragic original screenplay and short film.
2. Use current events, background knowledge, books youve read, films youve watched, or
events from your own experience to think of a Quick Pitch for a short film original
tragedy that could potentially conform to the 8 Elements of Tragedy were exploring in this
project!
STEP ONE: Brainstormquickly jot down a few potentially tragic scenarios or tragic heroes from
your recollection or experience from which you can draw inspiration for your Quick Pitch.
Tragic Scenario/Hero

Whats Tragic?

STEP TWO: Using your brainstorm from Part One, develop a 1-2 paragraph Quick Pitch for a
short film original tragedy that could eventually be written to conform to the 8 Elements of
Tragedy for this project. Remember, this is just a first attempt. Youre trying to think of a
potentially workable scenario for your original tragedy. Give it a shot!

Name:____________________________

Quick Pitches: Group Collaboration

Part 1: Each member of your group will share his/her story idea one at a time. As each team-

Group
Member:
Group Member:
member is speaking, please record the story information below as well as any additional that will
Character:
Character:
help you to determine which aspects of their story might
be used effectively in a tragedy. Record
Setting:
Setting:
some questions to ask each group member as well.
Tragic Flaw:
Tragic Flaw:
Conflict:
Conflict:
Basic Premise:
Basic Premise:
Questions?

PART I: FIRST DRAFT ANALYSIS

Questions?

PROMPT: ANALYZE MACBETHS CURRENT STATE OF MIND IN 3.4

Group Member:
Character:
Setting:
Tragic Flaw:
Conflict:
Basic Premise:

Group Member:
Character:
Setting:
Tragic Flaw:
Conflict:
Basic Premise:

Questions?

Questions?

Part 2: After each person is finished sharing, note-taking, and answering questions, chat with
your group members to determine your favorite components from each persons story-

frame. Next, synthesize your ideas below to create your final story premise. The key to
this synthesis is that at least one idea from each group member must be
represented. Provide each group members initials next to the component he/she is
responsible for contributing.

Final Tragedy Premise!

Initials

Component
Character
Setting
Tragic Flaw

Explanation

Conflict
Basic Premise

Part 3: Below, please explain how your group arrived upon your final conclusion for your
storyline. Next, explain why this particular premise will lend itself well to the tragedy
genre as well as any additional details you have decided upon for your storyline.

Implementing Film Techniques

DIRECTIONS: Use this worksheet/checklist to help guide the filming and production of
your original tragedy. Each of the three (3) required film techniques are detailed below.
DISTANCE:
Distance is used to signify emotion or isolation.
Use a CLOSE-UP to show the emotion of a character. Use a WIDE SHOT to signify
isolation.
CLOSE UP Citizen Kane
(1941)

WIDE SHOT There Will Be Blood

(2007)

PERSPECTIVE:
Perspective is often used to signify power visually.
Use a WORMS-EYE view to signify the tragic heros happiness or power at the start
of the film.
Use a BIRDS-EYE view to signify the tragic heros misery or helplessness at the end
of the film.
BIRDS-EYE view The Lord of the
WORMS-EYE view - Reservoir Dogs
(1992)

Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

(2001)

ESTABLISHING SHOT:
An Establishing Shot is used to show the location of a new scene.
Use an ESTABLISHING SHOT to show the location of a scene or scenes in your film.
ESTABLISHING SHOT - Manhattan
(1979)

Tragic Consequences
Reflective Film Critique expectations & rubric
DIRECTIONS: The final part of your Tragic Consequences Unit 3 project asks you to compose
a film critique of your own tragedy that reflects on 1) how your film succeeded/came short in
exemplifying the 8 Elements of Tragedy and 2) how your film succeeded/came short in
exhibiting the 3 film techniques you were asked to use in your production.
What success looks like:
A good film critique is not a summary of your movie. Your audience will already know the
premise, having seen it. Typically, film critiques are 500-600 words (roughly 2 pages), so be
concise in your reflection. Remember, youre examining your successes/shortcomings in terms of
the elements of tragedy and use of 3 film techniques, NOT summarizing your plot or story.

STEPS TO SUCCESS:
1. Use your graphic organizer and other materials to reflect on how your film succeeded OR
fell short in exemplifying the 8 Elements of Tragedy AND the 3 film techniques.
2. Use classmates feedback as well as your own viewing to determine the 1-2 most
important areas for improvement in both your films use of the 8 Elements of Tragedy
and 3 film techniques.
3. Examine and explain the extent to which your project successfully implemented the 8
Elements of Tragedy and 3 film techniques.
4. Provide specific examples of how you would change on the 1-2 most important areas for
improvement in both the 8 Elements of Tragedy and 3 film techniques.
5. Take the time to carefully proofread and edit the first draft of your Reflective Film Critique
to avoid unnecessary style or conventions errors and clearly organize your critique.
6. Make sure your paper is not less than 500 words or substantially more than 600 words.
Less than 500 means you arent employing enough detail. Substantially more than 600
means you arent editing and/or are rambling.

Exceeds
Expectations

Reflection on 8
Elements of
Tragedy

Critique clearly and

concisely reflects on
all 8 Elements of
Tragedy in the film;
demonstrates
detailed
understanding of
Elements of Tragedy
and their
implementation in
the film

Meets
Expectations
Critique effectively
reflects on all 8
Elements of Tragedy
in the film;
demonstrates
understanding of
Elements of Tragedy
and their
implementation in
the film

Approaches
Expectations
Critique reflects on
most of the 8
Elements of Tragedy
in the film;
demonstrates some
understanding of
Elements of Tragedy
and their
implementation in
the film

Beginning
Expectations
Critique
demonstrates little to
no reflection on the 8
Elements of Tragedy
in the film OR only
reflects on a few
elements;
demonstrates limited
understanding of
Elements of Tragedy
and their
implementation in the
film

Reflection on 3
film techniques

Critique/Room
for Improvement

Style &
Conventions

Critique clearly and

concisely reflects on
all 3 film techniques
used in production;
demonstrates
detailed
understanding of the
3 film techniques and
their implementation
in the final product
Critique clearly and
concisely examines
the 1 or 2 most
important areas for
improvement
pertaining to how the
film came short in the
8 Elements of
Tragedy AND the 3
film techniques;
provides effective
suggestions for
improvement in these
areas
Critique shows
exemplary attention
to style &
conventions,
including good use of
vocabulary,
organization,
transitions, grammar,
spelling, punctuation,
and evidence of
careful proofreading
and editing; critique
is 500-600 words

Critique effectively
reflects on all 3 film
techniques in the
production;
demonstrates
understanding of 3
film techniques and
their implementation
in the final product

Critique reflects on
most of the 3 film
techniques in the
production;
demonstrates some
understanding of 3
film techniques and
their implementation
in the final product

Critique effectively
examines the 1 or 2
most important
areas for
improvement
pertaining to how the
film came short in the
8 Elements of
Tragedy AND the 3
film techniques;
provides suggestions
for improvement in
these areas

Critique examines 1
or 2 important areas
for improvement,
but does not examine
the most prominent
area for
improvement in the
8 Elements of
Tragedy and/or the 3
film techniques;
provides limited
suggestions for
improvement in these
areas
Critique shows some
attention to style &
conventions,
including generally
effective use of
vocabulary,
organization,
transitions, grammar,
spelling, punctuation,
and evidence of
proofreading and
editing; critique is
less than 2 pages or
more than 3

Critique shows
attention to style &
conventions,
including effective
use of vocabulary,
organization,
transitions, grammar,
spelling, punctuation,
and evidence of
proofreading and
editing; critique is
500-600 words

Critique
demonstrates little to
no reflection on the 3
film techniques in the
production;
demonstrates limited
understanding of 3
film techniques and
their implementation
in the final product
Critique
demonstrates little to
no examination of
areas for
improvement in the
8 Elements of
Tragedy and/or the 3
film techniques;
provides minimal or
no suggestions for
improvement in these
areas
Critique shows little
to no attention to
style & conventions,
including ineffective
use of vocabulary,
organization,
transitions, grammar,
spelling, punctuation,
and evidence of
proofreading and
editing; critique is
substantially less
than 2 pages or more
than 3

COMMENTS:

Student Names: __________________________

Title of Tragedy: _________________________

Peer Film Review

As you view your classmates films, please evaluate the extent to which your peers have effectively
adapted the 8 elements of tragedy and 5 film techniques to a modern tragedy. At the bottom of this sheet,

provide a detailed explanation of your findings as well as any suggestions or comments you may have for
the group. These evaluations will be given to back your peers and will be used to help write the Reflective
Critique.

Tragic
Elements

Very Effective

Effective

Somewhat
Effective

Not Effective

Very Effective

Effective

Somewhat
Effective

Not Effective

Very Effective

Effective

Somewhat
Effective

Not Effective

Tragic Hero
Tragic Flaw
Catharsis
Peripety
Chorus
Pity & Fear
Irony
Discovery

Film
Techniques
Close-Up
Wide Shot
Worms Eye View
Birds Eye View
Establishing Shot
Audio/Music

Overall
Effectiveness

Explanation: