Making a movie script based on a short story To The Teacher: This is the kind of exercise that reveals understanding of the material in a non-quiz assessment, but it also expands the vision beyond the page and shows us what students “bring to” anything they read. Some might not think the story is anything more than “typical” older/younger brother stuff. Others may be horrified at the danger that could happen next time. It also involves issues of going along with a group, wanting to belong, and what happens when parents disagree about how to deal with a child’s behavior. Directions to students: Read the story “Brother Carlyle” by William Melvin Kelly Imagine this. You are a script writer for a major studio who wants to encourage the making of short films (none longer than 30 minutes.) This story is going to be shot in only two locations--an alley where neighborhood kids sometimes go to play and a small city apartment. You have to have one scene done by __________________. Choose: 1. The opening scene (which will take place before someone comes to warn Mance’s mother) You figure out how many kids are there, how they deal with Mance, what Brother Carlyle does and says. Write lines of dialogue. ( Scene directions should be in parentheses ). or 2. Write a scene that could appear at the end (after the original story is over) about a week later back in the alley. Use the cowboy outfit in this scene. Aim for 50 lines of dialogue. example from some other work: (Scene takes place in the living room of a small apartment building. Two teenaged brothers are trying to get their mother to lend them the keys to her “new” used car) Hank: (with his arm around his mother) Now, ma, come on. You know me. I know my way around cars. There won’t be a scratch on it. Besides, we’re only going to the movies. What could happen? Tim: (rolling his eyes where his mother can’t see) Right, ma. We’ll be soooo good. Since this assignment is intended as a movie, we can think about cameras and close ups, special effects and soundtrack if you want to mention any of that in your directions.