The Great Gatsby

Film Project

Directions: Your group (groups may be no larger than 4 people) must create a film that depicts one of the chapters from within The Great Gatsby. Your film should be accurate according to how the chapter is described within the novel, and you must include a post-film commentary that describes your choices and an analysis of the significance of the chapter. The format (live actors, animation, puppets, etc.) and medium (iMovie, Windows Movie Maker, etc.) of your film is up to your group, but you should be able to present it to the class using the school’s current technology. If you are unsure if a school computer or iPad will have the software necessary to play your film, you may want to post your film to a site like YouTube. In addition to being counted for a grade, the projects will be judged by your peers. The top films from the 11th graders taking part in this project will be chosen by the school’s staff and an award will be provided to the winner. The films will be graded according to the rubric below:

Requirement / 0-5 / 6-10 / 11-15
Accuracy / There are several discrepancies between what is depicted in the film and what is described in the novel. It is difficult to decipher the scene from the novel by just watching the film. The film may be missing several key details from the chapter that affect viewer comprehension. / The film’s depiction of the chapter is somewhat accurate and seems to reflect some of the essential elements of the particular scenes. / The film’s depiction of the chapter is fully accurate according to what is described in the novel. The film tries to include all the essential details mentioned by Fitzgerald within the novel. Any missing portions are minor and do not affect viewer comprehension.
Filmmakers’ Commentary / The project should does not contain a post-film commentary or the commentary is lacking several of the necessary components. / The project’s commentary describes some or the choices and/or includes a superficial analysis of the importance of the chapter. / The projects commentary describes in detail the major choices made by the filmmakers and it also includes an in-depth analysis if the importance of the chosen chapter.
Effort / The film seems to be hastily done with little care taken towards its overall appearance and presentation. The film seems more like a home video than a film that has been carefully edited. Little consideration seems to be given to important elements like sound effects, music, set design, etc. Lines may be read from directly from the book. / Some, but not all, of the elements of the film seem to be carefully done. Some elements like music, sound effects, set design, etc. are more developed than others. The dialogue does not flow smoothly. / The film clearly has taken a large amount of effort on the part of the creators. Much work seems to have gone into the creation of the film and a lot of attention has been given to all of the details. Much editing has gone into the production of the video. Consideration has been given to music, sound effects, set design, etc. Lines are memorized and the dialogue flows smoothly as if well-practiced.
Creativity / The film does not stand out. The film does not seem to be thoughtfully done. / The film has some inspired portions, but overall the project seems typical or standard. / The film is a creative and original effort. Choices of are unique and original. The film manages to stand out.
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