Films With Impact

Mission San Jose High School

March 7-11, 2016

Warning:

Mental health is personal

Films can be triggering

This is a public space

And also:

This is for you.

Here’s the Plan for Today

1. Introduction

2. Discussion about mental health

3. Preparation for filmmaking

YOUR MISSION

Produce (write, film, edit) a

one-minute film

about mental health

…in about an hour.

More Than a Mental Illness

By Emma Spiekerman

http://www.artwithimpact.org/More-Than-a-Mental-Illness

But first!

Let’s talk about mental health

so we have some context

What are some movies that show mental illness?

silver linings playbook

perks of being a wallflower

beautiful mind

rainman

inside out

to write love on her arms

How are people with mental illness portrayed in the media?

In groups of 2-3, how are they portrayed?

biggest thing about themcomedic character or very importantout of controldangerousburden to family or communitycrazy“savant”isolated

What is Stigma?

Stigma is a perceived negative attribute that causes someone to devalue or think less of the whole person.

What is Stigma?

Groups of 2 or 3

What are some examples of stigma?

How does stigma feel?

guiltyoppressive alienatinglonelysilencingbadshameful

What is mental illness?

A mental illness can come from your biology or your experiences. It is a chemical or physical disruption in the brain that impacts thoughts, feelings, actions, relationships or mood in ways that

get in the way of day-to-day activities.

What are some examples?

Depression

What are some examples?

DepressionAnxiety

What are some examples?

Depression

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Anxiety

What are some examples?

Depression

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Eating Disorders

Anxiety

What are some examples?

Depression

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Eating Disorders

Anxiety

ADHD

What are some examples?

Depression

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Eating Disorders

Anxiety

ADHDSchizophrenia

What are some examples?

Depression

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Eating Disorders

Anxiety

ADHDSchizophrenia

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

What *isn’t* mental illness?

Your Fault

What *isn’t* mental illness?

Your Fault

Weakness

What *isn’t* mental illness?

Your Fault

A Lack of Character

Weakness

What *isn’t* mental illness?

Your Fault

A Lack of Character

Hopeless

Weakness

Why don’t people get help?

shame

weakness

don’t want to be categorized or labeled

lack of support

denial

“i can handle it by myself”

don’t want to be a burden

don’t have access to resources

Let’s Watch A Short Film!

Rinse and Repeat

By Daniel RichardsonWinner, February 2013

YOUR MISSION

Produce (write, film, act in, edit) a

one-minute film

about mental health

…in about an hour.

Roles

Films involve collaboration

Everyone has a critical job

Writer

• Review your team’s ideas for a mental health issues to portray in a short film

• Select the issue for the film

• Outline the shots necessary to tell the story

• Write a beginning, middle and end

Director

• Say “action” to start a take, and “cut” to end

• Describe the actors what to do and clarify their motivations

• You are the creative mediator, listen to ideas and make decisions.

• Coordinate the members of your team

• Be supportive

DP (Director of Photography)

• Hold the camera

• Select the best angles for each shot

• Decide what will be the most visually interesting way to portray a scene

Actor(s)

• Portray the character’s struggle through your voice and body

• Do voice over work during post production, if necessary

Editor (s)

• Select the best take from each shot

• Put the shots into the best order to tell the story

• Crop the shot as necessary or break it up into multiple pieces

• Select your transitions

• Add music or voice over if necessary

All Roles

• Trust yourself, your input is important

• Make decisions quickly

Now…Please use your remaining time to:

• Break into your groups• Pick a team name• Select your filmmaking roles • Start brainstorming story ideas

1. General idea / mental health issue being addressed2. beginning, middle, end3. (& if you have time: wardrobe, locations, blocking,

editing, music…)• ALL are responsible for researching more about whatever

topic you are making a film about.• https://vimeo.com/groups/126256• Writer: Come prepared tomorrow. The more you have done

tonight, the more time you will have to shoot!

For your films, we are expecting each of you to entertain and educate the class (just a little) with your film.