the dam keeper CLASSROOM GUIDE USING DISCUSSION ARTICLES AND MEDIA LITERACY SUPPLEMENTAL THIS GUIDE QUESTIONS AND REVIEWS RESOURCES RESOURCES POST-VIEWING ABOUT ACTIVITIES THE FILM The Dam Keeper is an animated short film about a young pig with a big responsibility. TEaching He is mistreated by his classmates and he has a misunderstanding with his only friend, “Fox.” A class screening of The Dam Keeper will encourage students to think about their own values, their impact on others, and who they would like to be. Taught in conjunction the film: with this guide, the film provides an introduction to the core concepts of media literacy, prompting students to analyze the creation and development of animated characters, and to examine the building blocks of good storytelling. All SFFS Youth Education materials are developed in alignment with California educational standards for media literacy. SFFS Youth Education welcomes feedback and questions on all printed study materials. Please direct all comments and queries to Keith Zwölfer, Youth Education Manager: San Francisco Film Society Youth Education 39 Mesa Street, Suite 110 - The Presidio San Francisco, CA 94129-1025 [email protected] 415.561.5040 ABOUT THE FILM USING THIS GUIDE DISCUSSION QUESTIONS AND POST-VIEWING ACTIVITES MEDIA LITERACY RESOURCES SUPPLEMENTAL RESOURCES ARTICLES AND REVIEWS Using this guide Support materials are intended to facilitate group discussion, individual and collaborative creative exercise, subject-based learning and access to resources for further investigation of material. Educators are This study guide is intended to flexibly support encouraged to adapt and abridge the content as educators in preparing for and following necessary to meet their unique learning objectives and up on a class screening of The Dam Keeper. circumstances. Robert Kondo and Dice Tsutsumi (USA, 2014) 18 minutes, English, Grades 1-6 about the film The Dam Keeper, an original animated short film by feature animation artists Robert Kondo and Dice Tsutsumi, tells the tale of a young Recommended Subject Areas: pig encumbered with an important job, and Arts/Media the meeting of a new classmate who changes English/Language Arts everything. A first-time collaboration between Elementary School some of the most talented artists in animation, Middle School The Dam Keeper made its world premiere as an Group Agreements official selection at the 2014 Berlin International Restorative Practice Film Festival and made it’s US premiere at The New York International Children’s Film Festival. Key concepts / buzzwords: The film was nominated for an Academy Award Allegory for Best Animated Short. Animation Bullying Set in an uncertain future, one small town’s Community survival is solely due to a large windmill dam Drawing that acts as a fan to keep out poisonous clouds. Emotions Despite bullying from classmates and an Empathy indifferent public, the dam’s operator, Pig, works Friendships tirelessly to keep the sails spinning in order to Kindness protect the town. When a new student, Fox, joins Metaphor Pig’s class, everything begins to change. Responsibility School Storytelling Values ABOUT THE FILM USING THIS GUIDE DISCUSSION QUESTIONS AND POST-VIEWING ACTIVITES MEDIA LITERACY RESOURCES SUPPLEMENTAL RESOURCES ARTICLES AND REVIEWS Discussion questions post-viewing discussion: Reactions, Characters and Story Pre-viewing Lesson and discussion: 1) How did The Dam Keeper make you feel? • Did you like this film? 1) What is animation? • What animated films have you seen before? 2) Who were your favorite characters in the film? • How is animation different than live action? • Could you relate to these characters? • Who are the characters that you like best in • What do you think life is like for the hippo and the animated films? rabbit after school? • Make a list of your favorite animated characters and write their names on the board. 3) What is The Dam Keeper about? • What happens in The Dam Keeper? 2) As a class or working individually, • Summarize the film for your classmates. choose a character from the list how do and complete the CHARACTER 4) Describe the world of The Dam Keeper. DEVELOPMENT WORKSHEET, • What is their school like? located in the Supplemental the kids • How is it like or unlike your school? Resources section of this guide. • What is their town like? • Is it a place where you would like to live? 3) Making an animated film is a at school process of storytelling, character 5) How do the kids at school treat the pig? development and drawing. • Why do you think the hippo and the Watch Making The Dam Keeper. treat the rabbit bully the pig? • What does the teacher do? 4) In addition to drawing characters • Do you empathize with the pig? and their world, an animator needs pig? • What is the difference between to take the characters through a sympathy and empathy? story. • What makes a good story? 6) How is the fox different from the other kids at school? • Use the STORY DIAGRAM WORKSHEET, in the • How do the pig and the fox become friends? Supplemental Resources section of this guide, to • Why is the pig so upset when he thinks that the fox diagram the story of your favorite animated film. is making fun of him? 7) The Pig has an important responsibility, which he neglects after a conflict with the fox. Do you think this is okay? • How does he feel when doesn’t do his job? ABOUT THE FILM USING THIS GUIDE DISCUSSION QUESTIONS AND POST-VIEWING ACTIVITES MEDIA LITERACY RESOURCES SUPPLEMENTAL RESOURCES ARTICLES AND REVIEWS Context and Meaning Style and Message: Reading the Film for Media Literacy 1) What happens to the town when the dam overflows? 1) What do you notice about the animation in The Dam • What do you think the pig means when he says: Keeper? Dad told me that the job of the dam keeper is to • Did you like the style of the drawings? keep the darkness away? • Have you seen other films that look like this one? • What do you think “the darkness” is? • What was special and unique about the animation in • Can you think of any other meanings for the The Dam Keeper? darkness besides pollution? • Can you think of any symbolism or metaphor in 3) What sounds did you hear in The Dam Keeper? the dam and the darkness? • What did you think of the narration? • Why do you think there was no dialog in the film? 2) The Dam Keeper is a fictional story set in an Was it difficult to understand what was happening imaginary world. without dialog, or could you follow the story from • Do you think that there are any connections or the pictures? parallels between the world of The Dam Keeper and the real world? 4) Do you think that there is a message in The Dam • In what ways are the animals like human Keeper? characters? • Is there anything that we can learn from this story? • How do the feelings and emotions that you see • Why do you think that the writers and artists who in The Dam Keeper compare to feelings and made the film chose to focus on the character of emotions that real people experience? the pig? • Why might a storyteller choose to talk about real • What lessons or feelings do you think the film’s feelings in an imaginary setting? creators want you to take from the story? • If you were to continue The Dam Keeper story, what 3) Was this a good film to watch as a class? would you change? • Would you recommend that other students watch this film? Why or why not? why might a storyteller choose to talk about real feelings in an imaginary setting? ABOUT THE FILM USING THIS GUIDE DISCUSSION QUESTIONS AND POST-VIEWING ACTIVITES MEDIA LITERACY RESOURCES SUPPLEMENTAL RESOURCES ARTICLES AND REVIEWS post-viewing activities Character Development Lesson with Dice & Robert Dice and Robert give a presentation about how they created the characters in The Dam Keeper. Character Development Assignment Create a fictional character that can change the world of The Dam Keeper: 1) Students tape paper to their backs using masking tape. 2) Using magic markers, they walk around the room and write something positive, defining and memorable about each of their classmates on that classmate’s back. 3) Students return to their desks and read their classmates’ comments. 4) Students copy some or all of these characteristics into the defining traits section of the character development worksheet. 5) Students complete the worksheet in class or for homework: • In the physical appearance section, write the name of the animal that will represent you. • In context, write about what role your character plays in The Dam Keeper community: where does he or she live? Is he or she in school? Who is his or her family? • In conflict, think of a challenge that you have faced in your own life. Write this down as a challenge for your character to overcome. • In change, write about how you want your character to learn and grow by the end of the story. • Don’t forget to name your character! Draw Your Own Character 1) Complete the questions on the top section of the DRAW A CHARACTER worksheet, in the Supplemental Resources section of this guide. 2) Use your answers as a guide to help you to draw your character on a separate page. 3) Upload your character to Instagram with #MyDamKeeperCharacter. ABOUT THE FILM USING THIS GUIDE DISCUSSION QUESTIONS AND POST-VIEWING ACTIVITES MEDIA LITERACY RESOURCES SUPPLEMENTAL RESOURCES ARTICLES AND REVIEWS California Media Literacy Standards Addressed In This Lesson: • Grade 4: Standard 1.10 Evaluate the role of media in focusing attention on events and in forming opinions on issues.