The Canterbury Tales Film Festival

Dear _______________________________Period: 1
Congratulations! You have been selected to participate in The Canterbury Tales
Film Festival. We are excited to announce that this year our films will focus on
modern interpretations of Geoffrey Chaucers work through genre-switching. In
order to make this experience run smoothly, you will be provided with a list of tasks
and examples that will help you create a masterpiece. Please read through the
following packet, it will help keep you organized as well as allow us to track your
progress. We cannot wait to see your work!
Best wishes,
The Canterbury Tales Film Association

Assignment (50 Points)
For this assignment, you will create a 5 minute movie trailer that is a modern
interpretation and genre-switch of any tale we have discussed in class. You will chose
one of Chaucers tales (The Wife of Baths Tale, The Pardoners Tale, or The
Millers Tale) and work in a group to create a movie trailer that demonstrates
Chaucers view on gender roles, greed, or love.
During class we will explore scriptwriting, storyboard building, finding evidence,
filming, editing, and uploading, all of which will help you produce great work.
Throughout the process, you will be graded on a series of checkpoints. Due dates
will be given during class and require the initials of the teacher when they have been
completed. Missing the due dates will not only harm your final score but may also
prevent you from presenting your final product in class. (See attached Task List)
Another component that factors into your grade is a peer evaluation. You will be
required to evaluate the work that you contributed as well as rate and comment on
your group dynamics as a whole. (See attached Peer Evaluation Sheet)
This assignment is due on Friday 11/22 (uploaded to YouTube) and is worth 50
points. (See attached rubric)
Finally, on Monday 11/25 we watch the trailer in class and discuss the experience.
Tips and Suggestions
The following is a list of tips and suggestions to help you do well. PLEASE READ
THIS MORE THAN ONCE!
1. Be present for every class. Your group members are counting on your
contributions. If one person misses class, someone else will have to pick up
the slack.
2. Be prudent in your role assignment decisions. Find out who in your group has
a camera (filming) and a home computer (editing). The way your group
interacts and works together will contribute to your overall grade so make sure
that the roles are distributed wisely.
3. Exchanging phone numbers and/or e-mail will help you complete your
product more efficiently.
4. Expect to meet your group outside of class for filming. Plan ahead of time and
appropriately.
5. Make sure that you are using the task list and that you are complying with the
due dates. Missing due dates will hurt your overall grade.
6. Go on YouTube and search for examples of student work to inspire you.
7. Communicate your critiques and suggestions to your group member in a
respectful and productive manner.
8. Familiarize yourself with the editing tool you will use ahead of time.
9. Familiarize yourself with YouTube and uploading ahead of time.
10. Challenge yourself and your peers to produce awesome work. Look to each
other for support and be respectful of each other.
Genre-Switching
Genre is known as a type of literary or artistic work that can be categorized by the
subject matter of the piece. Examples of popular genres are romance, adventure,
comedy, horror, mystery, drama, action, musical, fantasy, children, and animation.
Take a second to think about one of your favorite movies. What genre does it fall
under? Now what would happen if the genre of your favorite movie changed to
something that was completely different? Does the story change?
The film that you will be producing for the festival is required to be a modern
interpretation as well as a genre switch. In order to fulfill these requirements, your
production team must first identify the genre of the tale you are choosing and agree
on a type of genre that is completely different from the one presented in the story.
Tale Selection/Genre-Switching
Practice Example
As a group, agree on and circle a movie.
FINDING NEMO MEAN GIRLS TWILIGHT
What is the genre of this tale? __________________________________________
How do you know this? _______________________________________________
What would be your genre switch? ______________________________________

Group Project Choice
As a group, agree on and circle the tale you want to work on.
THE WIFE OF BATH THE PARDONER THE MILLER
What is the genre of this tale? __________________________________________
How do you know this? _______________________________________________
What would be your genre switch? ______________________________________










Production Team Role Descriptions
The following is a list of production team roles for the film. As a group, read
through the roles and agree on the responsibilities each team member
will have.
Director: The director of the production team is the leader of the
group. The directors responsibilities include managing the group,
making sure that everyone is on task and doing their job, assisting and
affirming other group members, and guiding the filming process. The
director should be able to lead the group efficiently and provide
constructive criticism that will be beneficial to the end product.
Scriptwriters: The scriptwriters are responsible for creating the
scenes, dialogue, and physical movements that the actors will
perform in the film. Scripts are developed by the scriptwriters
and then passed along to the director for approval.
Actors: Actors are the people who perform dramatic productions
on a stage or in films. Actors should be people who are
creative but also do well with direction and constructive criticism.
While the director has most of the control, actors can inspire
directors to change aspects of the film.
Storyboard Artists: Storyboard artists are people who put together a
visual script for the director and camera operator. Once a script is
written, the storyboard artist will create an example of what the
scenes will look like before they are filmed. The director will
oversee the storyboard creation process.
Camera Operator: The camera operator is responsible for filming
scenes in a movie. The camera operator works with the director to make
sure that the shots being filmed align with the directors vision for the
film.
Editor: The editor of the film takes the work done by the
production crew and creates the final product. The editor will add
the title of the movie, credits, music, sounds, words, and effects to
the film. The editor will also work with the director to make sure
that the film is completed and ready for viewing at the festival.

Production Team Roles
In groups, re-read the production team role descriptions and decide the role(s) each
person will have. Please discuss and choose wisely! (There can only be one director
and the rest of the team members will have more than one role)

Director:
____________________________________
Scriptwriters:
____________________________________
____________________________________
Actors:
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
Storyboard Artists:
____________________________________
____________________________________
Camera Operator:
____________________________________
Editor:
____________________________________

Print Name: ________________________________
Signature: __________________________________ Date: ______________
The Canterbury Tales Film Festival
Dear _______________________________Period: 3
Congratulations! You have been selected to participate in The Canterbury Tales
Film Festival. We are excited to announce that this year our films will focus on
modern interpretations of Geoffrey Chaucers work through genre-switching. In
order to make this experience run smoothly, you will be provided with a list of tasks
and examples that will help you create a masterpiece. Please read through the
following packet, it will help keep you organized as well as allow us to track your
progress. We cannot wait to see your work!
Best wishes,
The Canterbury Tales Film Association

Assignment (50 Points)
For this assignment, you will create an 8 minute (do not exceed 8 minutes!) short
film that is a modern interpretation and genre-switch of any tale we have discussed in
class. You will chose one of Chaucers tales (The Wife of Baths Tale, The
Pardoners Tale, or The Millers Tale) and work in a group to create a short film
that demonstrates Chaucers view on gender roles, greed, or love.
Another aspect of your film will be demonstrating your knowledge and ability to use
irony (verbal, dramatic, situational). As a group, you will choose which type of irony
you will include in your film. Remember: The type irony you chose must be clear
enough to point out. Be sure to add an explanation of the irony you chose at the
bottom of your script.
During class we will explore scriptwriting, storyboard building, finding evidence,
filming, editing, and uploading, all of which will help you produce great work.
Throughout the process, you will be graded on a series of checkpoints. Due dates
will be given during class and require the initials of the teacher when they have been
completed. Missing the due dates will not only harm your final score but may also
prevent you from presenting your final product in class. (See attached Task List)
Another component that factors into your grade is a peer evaluation. You will be
required to evaluate the work that you contributed as well as rate and comment on
your group dynamics as a whole. (See attached Peer Evaluation Sheet)
This assignment is due on Friday 11/22 (uploaded to YouTube) and is worth 50
points. (See attached rubric)
Finally, on Monday 11/25 we watch the films in class and discuss each film.
Tips and Suggestions
The following is a list of tips and suggestions to help you do well. PLEASE READ
THIS MORE THAN ONCE!
1. Be present for every class. Your group members are counting on your
contributions. If one person misses class, someone else will have to pick up
the slack.
2. Be prudent in your role assignment decisions. Find out who in your group has
a camera (filming) and a home computer (editing). The way your group
interacts and works together will contribute to your overall grade so make sure
that the roles are distributed wisely.
3. Exchanging phone numbers and/or e-mail will help you complete your
product more efficiently.
4. Expect to meet your group outside of class for filming. Plan ahead of time and
appropriately.
5. Make sure that you are using the task list and that you are complying with the
due dates. Missing due dates will hurt your overall grade.
6. Go on YouTube and search for examples of student work to inspire you.
7. Communicate your critiques and suggestions to your group member in a
respectful and productive manner.
8. Familiarize yourself with the editing tool you will use ahead of time.
9. Familiarize yourself with YouTube and uploading ahead of time.
10. Challenge yourself and your peers to produce awesome work. Look to each
other for support and be respectful of each other.
Genre-Switching
Genre is known as a type of literary or artistic work that can be categorized by the
subject matter of the piece. Examples of popular genres are romance, adventure,
comedy, horror, mystery, drama, action, musical, fantasy, children, and animation.
Take a second to think about one of your favorite movies. What genre does it fall
under? Now what would happen if the genre of your favorite movie changed to
something that was completely different? Does the story change?
The film that you will be producing for the festival is required to be a modern
interpretation as well as a genre switch. In order to fulfill these requirements, your
production team must first identify the genre of the tale you are choosing and agree
on a type of genre that is completely different from the one presented in the story.

Tale Selection/Genre-Switching
Practice Example
As a group, agree on and circle a movie.
FINDING NEMO MEAN GIRLS TWILIGHT
What is the genre of this tale? __________________________________________
How do you know this? _______________________________________________
What would be your genre switch? ______________________________________

Group Project Choice
As a group, agree on and circle the tale you want to work on.
THE WIFE OF BATH THE PARDONER THE MILLER
What is the genre of this tale? __________________________________________
How do you know this? _______________________________________________
What would be your genre switch? ______________________________________





Production Team Role Descriptions
The following is a list of production team roles for the film. As a group, read
through the roles and agree on the responsibilities each team member
will have.
Director: The director of the production team is the leader of the
group. The directors responsibilities include managing the group,
making sure that everyone is on task and doing their job, assisting and
affirming other group members, and guiding the filming process. The
director should be able to lead the group efficiently and provide
constructive criticism that will be beneficial to the end product.
Scriptwriters: The scriptwriters are responsible for creating the
scenes, dialogue, and physical movements that the actors will
perform in the film. Scripts are developed by the scriptwriters
and then passed along to the director for approval.
Actors: Actors are the people who perform dramatic productions
on a stage or in films. Actors should be people who are
creative but also do well with direction and constructive criticism.
While the director has most of the control, actors can inspire
directors to change aspects of the film.
Storyboard Artists: Storyboard artists are people who put together a
visual script for the director and camera operator. Once a script is
written, the storyboard artist will create an example of what the
scenes will look like before they are filmed. The director will
oversee the storyboard creation process.
Camera Operator: The camera operator is responsible for filming
scenes in a movie. The camera operator works with the director to make
sure that the shots being filmed align with the directors vision for the
film.
Editor: The editor of the film takes the work done by the
production crew and creates the final product. The editor will add
the title of the movie, credits, music, sounds, words, and effects to
the film. The editor will also work with the director to make sure
that the film is completed and ready for viewing at the festival.

Production Team Roles
In groups, re-read the production team role descriptions and decide the role(s) each
person will have. Please discuss and choose wisely! (There can only be one director
and the rest of the team members will have more than one role)

Director:
____________________________________
Scriptwriters:
____________________________________
____________________________________
Actors:
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
Storyboard Artists:
____________________________________
____________________________________
Camera Operator:
____________________________________
Editor:
____________________________________

Print Name: ________________________________
Signature: __________________________________ Date: ______________
The Canterbury Tales Film Festival

Movie Project Objectives
Students will be able to:
1. Find evidence in Chaucers The Canterbury Tales that proves Chaucers view
on gender roles, greed, and/or love
2. Identify genre in film
3. Write a script
4. Create a storyboard
5. Produce an original interpretation of Chaucers work through visual
technology.

Movie Project Common Core Standards
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.11-12.1 Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support
analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text,
including determining where the text leaves matters uncertain.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.W.3 Write narratives to develop real or imagined
experiences or events using effective technique, well-chosen details and well-
structured event sequences.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.11-12.5 Make strategic use of digital media (e.g., textual,
graphical, audio, visual, and interactive elements) in presentations to enhance
understanding of findings, reasoning, and evidence and to add interest.