Section 3: Applying it to our lives
Now that your group is comfortable with conjugating verbs in some of the more popular tenses use in French, it is time to apply your knowledge to a project that will test your abilities. Perhaps one of the most authentic ways in which we make use of multiple verb conjugations in our everyday lives is through dialogue. Think about a typical conversation you have with your friends, family, and teachers throughout the day. In many of your conversations, you will use several verb tenses while trying to explain events that have happened to you in the past, what you are currently feeling in the present, and activities you are planning to do in the future. In other situations you are giving orders, taking direction, and responding to others if certain conditions are present. All of these different scenarios demand that one changes the tense of the language being used to fit the occasion.
Therefore, to demonstrate your knowledge of French verb conjugation when applied to conversations, each group will construct a screenplay for their final assignment. There are two steps to this assignment: writing the screenplay, and presenting the screen play.
The basic criteria for writing your screen play is as follows:
Once you have finished writing and proof reading your screenplay, you will download it for me to correct. To see how your screenplay will be graded, click here.
The second part of the assignment is for your group to present your screenplay to the rest of the class. You have two options available for you.
Each option is graded the same, however, if you have never made a video and posted it online, perhaps you will use this chance to gain experience working with this type of technology. More on this below.
Step 1: Writing Your Screenplay
If you have never written a screenplay, don’t sweat it; it is really not that hard. Keep in mind you will be doing most of the writing in French and presenting it, so you may not want to make the screenplay too complicated or too long. Try to limit the number of scenes, and keep the settings to places that are easily accessible for your group. Costumes and props can be expensive as well, so make sure you try and incorporate things that are available to you without having to purchase them.
There is no predetermined format on how to write this screenplay, but generally the action of the characters is written as a narrative in paragraph form, and dialogue is written below or beside the name of the character who will be speaking that line. To get you started here are a few websites to give you some background information:
1. For novice screenplay writers try: How to Write a Simple Screenplay
2. For more experienced groups or who want more of a challenge try: How Write a Screenplay: Script & Screenwriting Tips
To take a look at some different examples of screenplays, try clicking on the sites below:
1. Screenplay Format Sample
2. Sample Screenplays/ Scripts and Scribes
3. Sample Scripts
Make sure you have fun with your writing. Remember that you can write any type of screenplay you wish. It can be a comedy, a drama, an action, or even a romance! Make sure you take a look at the grading rubrics before you begin the project so you have an idea on how you will be marked. Click here for a link to that page.
If your group is stuck, feel free to ask questions to either myself, or other groups in the class. You can ask in person, or post your question on our Facebook page.
Once your group has finished their final copy of their screenplay, one of your group members must upload the saved Word document below and fill in the necessary information.
Therefore, to demonstrate your knowledge of French verb conjugation when applied to conversations, each group will construct a screenplay for their final assignment. There are two steps to this assignment: writing the screenplay, and presenting the screen play.
The basic criteria for writing your screen play is as follows:
- All the dialogue in your screenplay must be written in French. You may write the action or narrative in English, but all spoken lines must be in French!
- All the different tenses the members of your group covered in Section 2 must be present at least once in your screenplay. As long as each tense is included once, you may repeat any of tenses numerous times. However, keep in mind that we are trying to work on diversifying our use of verb conjugation, so try and change up the tenses when possible.
- Screenplays must be typed and saved as a Word document. There is no specific format as to how you must write your screenplay, but the play must have a title, at least 4 characters (one for each of your members), and dialogue for each character. There is more information below about how to write your screen play.
Once you have finished writing and proof reading your screenplay, you will download it for me to correct. To see how your screenplay will be graded, click here.
The second part of the assignment is for your group to present your screenplay to the rest of the class. You have two options available for you.
- You may present your screenplay live in front of the class
- You may take a video of your screenplay and post it on M Summers’ French Class timeline
Each option is graded the same, however, if you have never made a video and posted it online, perhaps you will use this chance to gain experience working with this type of technology. More on this below.
Step 1: Writing Your Screenplay
If you have never written a screenplay, don’t sweat it; it is really not that hard. Keep in mind you will be doing most of the writing in French and presenting it, so you may not want to make the screenplay too complicated or too long. Try to limit the number of scenes, and keep the settings to places that are easily accessible for your group. Costumes and props can be expensive as well, so make sure you try and incorporate things that are available to you without having to purchase them.
There is no predetermined format on how to write this screenplay, but generally the action of the characters is written as a narrative in paragraph form, and dialogue is written below or beside the name of the character who will be speaking that line. To get you started here are a few websites to give you some background information:
1. For novice screenplay writers try: How to Write a Simple Screenplay
2. For more experienced groups or who want more of a challenge try: How Write a Screenplay: Script & Screenwriting Tips
To take a look at some different examples of screenplays, try clicking on the sites below:
1. Screenplay Format Sample
2. Sample Screenplays/ Scripts and Scribes
3. Sample Scripts
Make sure you have fun with your writing. Remember that you can write any type of screenplay you wish. It can be a comedy, a drama, an action, or even a romance! Make sure you take a look at the grading rubrics before you begin the project so you have an idea on how you will be marked. Click here for a link to that page.
If your group is stuck, feel free to ask questions to either myself, or other groups in the class. You can ask in person, or post your question on our Facebook page.
Once your group has finished their final copy of their screenplay, one of your group members must upload the saved Word document below and fill in the necessary information.
Presenting your Play
For those groups choosing to shoot their screenplay using video and posting it on our class’ Facebook page, I would recommend using some sort of smartphone. Samsung and Iphone devices are popular and easy to use, and if you have the Facebook app downloaded on to your phone (which is free), uploading the video file to Facebook is easy. Watch the tutorial video below to learn how to do this.
For those groups choosing to shoot their screenplay using video and posting it on our class’ Facebook page, I would recommend using some sort of smartphone. Samsung and Iphone devices are popular and easy to use, and if you have the Facebook app downloaded on to your phone (which is free), uploading the video file to Facebook is easy. Watch the tutorial video below to learn how to do this.
Due to uploading time and editing difficulties, you may wish to film your screenplay in parts. That way you can shoot each scene as a part and upload it individually on the Facebook page without having to wait so long. Keep in mind, that if you upload your file in high definition (HD), it will take significantly longer as it contains much more memory. Here are some easy-to-follow directions on how to upload your video:
Once you have uploaded your video, click on the "photos" button under the group page profile picture to see your video.
Again, if you are having difficulties don't be afraid to ask for help!
- Download the Facebook app onto your smartphone (it's free)
- Shoot your scene with your smartphone
- Open up your Facebook app and click on M Summers French Class group page
- Click on the "photo" button underneath the profile picture at the top.
- Select the video from your phone's file selector.
- Type the title of your screenplay, and if you shot it in parts, what part number that video is.
Once you have uploaded your video, click on the "photos" button under the group page profile picture to see your video.
Again, if you are having difficulties don't be afraid to ask for help!