2019 RoboPlay Video: “Heart of Pop” Script Academy for Academic Excellence, Lewis Center for Educational Research, Apple Valley USD Script as of 4/15/2019 Theme: A student makes a point to say that music is not the same as it used to be while listening to Michael Jackson, that there seems to be no ‘heart’ in pop anymore. A robot listens in and takes the term ‘heart’ literally, and transports a heart to a skeleton with a goal of reviving the King of Pop (aka Michael Jackson).
Setting: In the middle of the school day, before lunch, students are working on their Barobo Linkbots, Lego EV3 Mindstorm robots, and ch programming.
Scene 1a: The opening scene shows students intently working on their codes and robots. Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ by Michael Jackson can be heard playing through Raylynn’s headphones. Raylynn takes out one earbud and says, “You know, these days there’s no heart in pop. No one compares to Michael.” Brendon turns and responds with, “I heard they took michael’s heart out and preserved it when he passed.”
Scene 1b: As the Raylynn’s robot listens to the conversation, Raylynn says, “Hmm. I wonder where it is,” and Mr. Huffine tells the students it’s time to go by saying, “Let’s get to the heart of matter... it's time for lunch.” The bell rings and everyone puts their robots and computers away. Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ plays all through scene 1a and 1b.
Scene 2: Files: Heart_of_Pop_scene_2a_colorchange.ch, Heart_of_Pop_scene_2b_robocommie.ch, Heart_of_Pop_scene_2c_movie.ch, Heart_of_Pop_scene_2d_drivedistance.ch, Heart_of_Pop_scene_2e_birddad.ch
Raylynn’s robot turns green when it has an idea, communicates to Jakob’s robot, and Jakob’s robot understands, communicates back, and turns green. Raylynn’s robot turns into the mannequin and knocks the heart out of it and Jakob’s robot catches it. Jakob’s robot drops the heart on the floor to a designated carrier Linkbot.
Scene 3: Files: Heart_of_Pop_scene_3a_movie.ch Heart_of_Pop_scene_3b_movepulleybot.ch Heart_of_Pop_scene_3c_driverobotdancegroup.ch
The carrier Linkbot on the floor catches the heart and goes through obstacles (chairs) while transporting the heart through the space between the room’s in the second and third row of tables. Tractor bot and the dance group of Linkbots drive through the first row. Both rows of robots end in a position near the skeleton on the far side of the room. The Terminator 2 theme plays through scenes 3 and 4 while this is happening.
Scene 4: Files: Heart_of_Pop_scene_4_heartpulleyprogram.ch
The camera pans to the heart and then to the skeleton. The robots pulls the heart into the skeleton’s chest wall. When this happens, the skeleton begins its transformation into Michael Jackson (skeleton → jacket → hat → gloves).
Scene 5: Files: Heart_of_Pop_scene_5_dancescene.ch
There is a bright flash of light above the skeleton as soon as the heart goes into place. The Linkbot dance group dances as Michael Jackson’s Thriller plays.
One of the students (Jakob) comes back into the classroom, and the camera pans to him. Jakob exclaims, “Michael?!” and we hear Jackson’s famous “hee-hee!”.
Video Credits: See film reel