Thumbs up? thumbs down? Are you a movie buff, book worm? Ever imagine what it would be like to get paid to review movies, to receive accolades for your opinion of films’ adaptation of great book?
English students at Madison Comprehensive High School recently had a chance to take on the role of movie critic.
The newly released Science Fiction action film “Ender’s Game” recently became a homework assignment for students of Marti Mass, English teacher at Madison Comprehensive High School. The 2013 Science Fiction action film is based on the novel by the same name by Orson Scott. The assignment was originally designed for the purpose of teaching the students the differences between film adaptation and a novel. It quickly became more than that, particularly for one student, sophomore Regina Zehner.
“I wanted the students to see how a director’s production choices differ from the authors style,” said Mass.
According to Mass, she chose the book when she learned it was included on the Common Core list of reading material and several students had recommended the novel to one another after reading it themselves. After reading the book, Mass decided to increase the assignment and the role of movie critic was introduced to the students after viewing the film on a field trip.
Mass directed her students to write an opinion piece and to evaluate the worth of the films’ adaptation. She encouraged the students to direct their writing towards a teen audience and to focus on elements of acting, plot and character development, setting choices and special effects.
“I love to write, I learned a lot doing the review. I learned I write good reviews according to my classmates,” said Zehner.
Though she is interested in pursuing a career in writing, possibly screen plays, Zehner added the experience was exciting and educational. “I like creative writing, developing characters,” she added.
“I learned to not make it too long so to keep the their [the readers] attention. I also learned to include details to make sure they [the readers] get that’s it’s your opinion,” added Zehner.
Mass said, ”She is a great student, loves to write. She is good at the hook and closing and tying it all together.”
Zehner received praise and recognition for her review after Mass chose the five best written reviews and passed them around the class without names. Zehners’ was chosen by classmates as the best overall.
“I wanted the students to see how a director’s production choices differ from the authors style,” said teacher Marti Mass.
