Mythological Photographic Storyboard

The Challenge

A myth is a traditional, typically ancient story dealing with supernatural beings, ancestors, or heroes that serves as a fundamental type in the worldview of a people. The purpose of myths is to account for the origins of something, explain aspects of the natural world, or delineate the psychology, customs, or ideals of society. (americanfolklore.net)

This Challenge asks you to explore the myths of cultures other than Greece and Rome – Egypt, Ireland, Scandinavia, Babylon, and China for example. You may also choose to research a Native American myth. Then, re-tell this myth in a fully–produced, ten to twelve-panel, photographic storyboard. By ‘fully produced’ we mean that the storyboard presentation needs to be shot and edited together to music and/or sound effects. The teams can choose whether or not it is effective to also narrate the storyboard, or leave it up to the viewer to read it.

There are two conditions that apply to creating this photographic storyboard:

All photos must be original – you may not use existing photos or illustrations that might be taken from mythology books, for example.
All photos must be three-dimensional. In other words, you cannot take a picture of a two–dimensional drawing that your team has created. But you could, for example, take a picture of a three-dimensional diorama that your team created. Otherwise the expectation is that your team will photograph pre-planned photos on location.

Two more conditions to keep in mind:

The teams must open their storyboard presentation with a slate that clearly states the English title of the myth; the country from where it hails; the general time in which the myth was created or takes place; and a web URL (or book and chapter, if there is no relevant URL) where a write up of the original myth can be located.
- If the team then chooses to give their storyboard a different title, they can do so after this initial slate.
The teams can interpret the myth in almost any way that they want – see notes below – but they need to keep the myth’s original character names the same.
Finally – and this is not a condition – after the Storyboard, your team is welcome to comment on the choice of myth and your rendering to camera to provide more context for the viewer. But this is not a requirement.

Deliverables include:

Photographic Storyboard (this is the only Meridian Stories deliverable)
Written Storyboard (at teacher’s discretion)
Draft Storyboard (at teacher’s discretion)

Assumptions and Logistics

Time Frame – We recommend that this Meridian Stories Competition takes place inside of a three to four-week time frame.

Length – All Meridian Stories submissions should be under 4 minutes in length, unless otherwise specified.

Submissions – Keep in mind that each school can only submit three submissions per Competition (so while the entire class can participate in the Challenge, only three can be submitted to Meridian Stories for Mentor review and scoring).

Teacher Reviews – All reviews by the teacher are at the discretion of the teacher and all suggested paper deliverables are due only to the teacher. The only deliverable to Meridian Stories is the media work.

Teacher’s Role and Technology Integrator – While it is helpful to have a Technology Integrator involved, they are not usually necessary: the students already know how to produce the media. And if they don’t, part of their challenge is to figure it out. They will! The teacher’s primary function in these Challenges is to guide the students as they engage with the content. You don’t need to know editing, sound design, shooting or storyboarding: you just need to know your content area.

Digital Rules/Literacy – We strongly recommend that all students follow the rules of Digital Citizenry in their proper usage and/or citation of images, music and text taken from other sources. This recommendation includes producing a citations page at the end of your entry, if applicable. See the Digital Rules area in the Meridian Resources section of the site for guidance.

Location – Try not to shoot in a classroom at your school. The classroom, no matter how you dress it up, looks like a classroom and can negatively impact the story you are trying to tell.

Slate – All media work must begin with a slate that provides:

the title of the piece;
the name of the school submitting;
the wording ‘Permission Granted’ which gives Meridian Stories the right to a) publicly display the submission in question on, as linked from or related to or in support of Meridian Stories digital media; and b) use it for educational purposes only; and
We strongly recommend that students do not put their last names on the piece either at the start or finish, during the credits.

Collaboration – We strongly recommend that students work in teams of 3-4: part of the educational value is around building collaborative skill sets. But students may work individually.

Presentation – We strongly recommend that at the end of this process, the student teams present their work either to the class and/or to assembled parents and friends as a way to showcase their work. The workforce considers Presentational Skills to be a key asset and we encourage you to allow students to practice this skill set as often as possible. These short videos provide a great opportunity for kids to practice their public presentational skills.

Our research indicates this to be a really useful exercise for two additional reasons:

Students actually learn from their peers’ presentations – it is useful to hear a perspective that is not just the teacher’s; and
The public setting – painful as it is for some students – provides them with an opportunity to ‘own’ their work and to be more accountable.

Process

Below is a suggested breakdown for the students’ work.

During Phase I, student teams will:

Choose one region of the world that has been known for its rich myth-creation history (not Greek or Roman) and begin to research the myths of that culture.
Narrow down your selections to two or three myths. Discuss with your team the strengths and weaknesses of each of the final myth selections. Be sure that the myth selections aren’t too complicated as the 12 frame storyboard format is only capable of effectively communicating a relatively uncomplicated story.
- In particular, explore the meaning of the myth as it relates to your lives.
Choose your myth.
Break down your myth into ten or twelve key scenes or frames – the essential moments in the myth that are needed to convey the story and its meaning. For each frame, break down the story into its component parts, including action, characters and setting.
- Teacher’s Option: Written Storyboard – Teachers may require that teams hand in a written storyboard draft – just the written summary for each frame – to your teacher for direction and comments.
Outline the ideas that will inform the conclusion about the teams’ relationship to the myth.

During Phase II, student teams will:

Brainstorm about how you will represent these scenes photographically. Student teams have a huge range of flexibility in terms of their visual approach to communicating their chosen myth. Here are a few (but not the only) starter ideas to launch your brainstorming:
- Your team can attempt to represent the myth literally, by looking to use period costumes and looking for settings/locations that approximate the setting of the myth.
- Your team can re-locate the myth to the present day and re-tell the story using contemporary clothing, props and references. However, keep in mind that you must use the original names of the characters.
- Your team can approach the myth abstractly, creating photos that communicate meaning through symbolism.
- To see one winning submission to a version of this Challenge from year’s past, see “How the Moon and Stars Came to Be” on the homepage
Once you have decided on your general creative approach, work out the design for each frame, as based on your written storyboard draft. Here are some questions to consider as you look explore your photographic design work.
- What is the location for each frame? Your team may need to go on location scouts – trips to relevant interior and exterior places – in order to figure this piece out.
- How are you depicting the characters in this myth and where are they going to be located in each photograph?
- What props do you need for each frame? How are you going to find those props?
- What is the general mood of each frame? How will you use lighting and color to help create that mood?
  - In this same vein, each storyboard will be accompanied by music of your choice. Music is an important mood setting element as well. Explore the role and choice of music as your team discusses mood and tone.
- What is the point of view of each frame? Where will you place the camera in order to communicate that point of view?
By the end of this phase, student teams should have their design for each frame clearly sketched out.
- Teacher’s Option: Rough Storyboard – Teachers may require that teams hand in a rough storyboard draft – matching writing to picture, including basic creative approach – to your teacher for direction and comments.
Create your storyboard script. What is the text that accompanies each frame? Sometimes it is better to finalize this after you have completed your photographic shooting. However, at this point, it is good to have a rough draft in place of the storyboard text.
- The text can be created solely out of existing language in your myth source text. This is not about re-writing the myth; it is about creating a visual interpretation of the myth; a visual re-telling. If all of the text is taken from an existing source, the source, of course, must be properly cited.
Write your concluding script – the piece that connects your team to the myth — and discuss how you will shoot and present this segment.

During Phase III, student teams will:

Pre-produce the shoot – making sure that all costumes, props, people, locations and other variables are in place for the actual photography shoot.
Production – Shoot the storyboard and shoot the conclusion whereby your team reflects on the experience (if desired).
Post-produce the video.
- In addition to the visual editing together of the storyboard and conclusion – which involves turning the storyboard into a video element that can be uploaded onto YouTube — each team needs to incorporate a sound design. What kind of music will support the mood and tone of your myth? Is there a place for sound effects? Should this be narrated or simply read by the viewer?

Media Support Resources

Meridian Stories provides two forms of support for the student teams.

1. Media Innovators and Artists – This is a series of three to four-minute videos featuring artists and innovative professionals who offer important advice, specifically for Meridian Stories, in the areas of creativity and production.

2. Meridian Resources Collection – These are short documents that offer student teams a few key tips in the areas of creativity and production.

Recommended review, as a team, for this Competition include:

Media Innovators and Artists

Meridian Tips

On Photography – Michael Kolster

On Character Design – Scott Nash

On Music in Film – Mary Hunter

On Multi-Media in Theatre – Roger Bechtel

“Creative Brainstorming Techniques”

“Royalty Free Music”

“Sound Recording Basics”

“Creating Storyboards, Framing a Shot”

Evaluation Rubric – The Mythological Photographic Storyboard

CONTENT COMMAND
Criteria	1 – 3	4 – 7	8 – 10
Clear re-telling of the myth	The photographic storyboard does not clearly retell the myth	The photographic storyboard covers the basic events that comprise the myth	The photographic storyboard clearly and succinctly retells the myth
Substantive and meaningful re-telling of the myth	The choice of scenes, and use of language and imagery, do not reveal meaning and depth in the myth	The choice of scenes, and use of language and imagery, intermittently reveal meaning and substance in the myth	The choice of scenes, and use of language and imagery, reveal meaning and depth in the myth.

STORYTELLING COMMAND
Criteria	1 – 3	4 – 7	8 – 10
Creative Approach	The creative approach (visual interpretation) to the myth is generally lacking cohesion and imagination	The creative approach (visual interpretation) to the myth is interesting and generally engaging	The creative approach (visual interpretation) to the myth is imaginative, cohesive and engaging
The Frames (scenes)	Only a few of the individual frames were effective	Many of the individual frames were effective and poignant	Most or all of the individual frames were effective and poignant
Narrative Elements	The choices made in terms of character, setting, point of view, language and tone do not successfully communicate the narrative.	The choices made in terms of character, setting, point of view, language and tone are generally interesting and thoughtful	The choices made in terms of character, setting, point of view, language and tone are coherent, compelling and effective in communicating the narrative

MEDIA COMMAND – Effective use of media elements to communicate narrative
Criteria	1 – 3	4 – 7	8 – 10
The Photography	The artistic choices are not well presented and detract from your overall re-telling of the myth	The artistic choices are solid and service the myth	The artistic choices are visually arresting and bring new meaning to the myth
The Audio Choices (including music, sound and/or voice)	The selective use of music, sound, and/or voice detracts from the overall presentation of the myth	The selective use of music, sound, and/or voice supports the presentation of the myth	The selective use of music, sound, and/or voice creates an atmosphere that enhances and enriches the overall myth

21^ST CENTURY SKILLS COMMAND (for teachers only) – Effective use of collaborative thinking, creativity and innovation, and initiative and self-direction to create and produce the final project.
Criteria	1-3	4-7	8-10
Collaborative Thinking	The group did not work together effectively and/or did not share the work equally	The group worked together effectively and had no major issues	The group demonstrated flexibility in making compromises and valued the contributions of each group member
Creativity and Innovation	The group did not make a solid effort to create anything new or innovative	The group was able to brainstorm new and inventive ideas, but was inconsistent in their evaluation and implementation of those ideas.	The group brainstormed many inventive ideas and was able to evaluate, refine and implement them effectively
Initiative and Self-Direction	The group was unable to set attainable goals, work independently and manage their time effectively.	The group required some additional help, but was able to complete the project on time with few problems	The group set attainable goals, worked independently and managed their time effectively, demonstrating a disciplined commitment to the project

Essential Questions

What is the role of myth in a culture, both historically and now? How do certain myths embody meaning for you?
What are some important myths from a culture that is neither Roman nor Greek?
In re-imagining your select myth, how have your choices regarding setting, character, tone and aesthetic design impacted the viewer’s experience with the story?
In moving from the base of a written text to a photographic storyboard, what elements of the story have you been able to communicate more effectively? Which elements less effectively?
How has immersion in the creation of original content and the production of digital media – exercising one’s creativity, critical thinking and digital literacy skills – deepened the overall educational experience?
How has working on a team – practicing one’s collaborative skills – changed the learning experience?

Student Proficiencies

The student will have an increased awareness of the role of myths as shapers of past and current cultures.
The student will have a deeper understanding of the mythological canon in a select culture.
The student will understand how to create their own narrative impact by making strategic choices in the areas of setting, character, tone and aesthetic design.
The student will understand the differences in communicative power between text and photography; between story and storyboarding.
The student will utilize key 21^st century skills, with a focus on creativity, critical thinking and digital literacy, in their process of translating literary content into a new narrative format.
The student will have an increased awareness of the challenges and rewards of team collaboration. Collaboration – the ability to work with others – is considered one of the most important 21^st century skills to develop in students as they prepare for life after secondary school.

Common Core Curricular Correlations

The Mythological Photographic Storyboard addresses a range of curricular objectives that have been articulated by the Core Curricular Standards – English Language Arts. Below please find the standards that are addressed, either in whole or in part.

Core Curricular Standards – English Language Arts Standards

*Standards*	8^th	9^th/10^th	11^th/12^th
RL3 READING: LITERATURE Key Ideas and Details	Analyze how particular lines of dialogue or incidents in a story or drama propel the action, reveal aspects of a character, or provoke a decision.	Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or conflicting motivations) develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and advance the plot or develop the theme.	Analyze the impact of the author’s choices regarding how to develop and relate elements of a story or drama (e.g., where a story is set, how the action is ordered, how the characters are introduced and developed).
RL4 READING: LITERATURE Craft and Structure	Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including analogies or allusions to other texts.	Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in the text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the cumulative impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone (e.g., how the language evokes a sense of time and place; how it sets a formal or informal tone).	Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in the text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including words with multiple meanings or language that is particularly fresh, engaging, or beautiful.
RL6 READING: LITERATURE Craft and Structure	NA	Analyze a particular point of view or cultural experience reflected in a work of literature from outside the United States, drawing on a wide reading of world literature.	NA
RL7 READING: LITERATURE Integration of Knowledge	NA	Analyze the representation of a subject or a key scene in two different artistic mediums, including what is emphasized or absent in each treatment	Analyze multiple interpretations of a story, drama, or poem (e.g., recorded or live production of a play or recorded novel or poetry), evaluating how each version interprets the source text.
W3 WRITING Text Types and Purposes	Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences.	Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, well-chosen details, and well-structured event sequences.	Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, well-chosen details, and well-structured event sequences.
SL1 SPEAKING AND LISTENING Comprehension and Collaboration	Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher- led) with diverse partners on grade 8 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.	Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 9–10 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.	Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one- on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 11–12 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
SL5 SPEAKING AND LISTENING Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas	Integrate multimedia and visual displays into presentations to clarify information, strengthen claims and evidence, and add interest.	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.	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.
L1 LANGUAGE Conventions of Standard English	Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.	Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.	Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.
L5 LANGUAGE Vocabulary Acquisition and Use	Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings	Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings	Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.