Wall-E. Ideas for the Classroom

Transcription

1 Wall-E Ideas for the Classroom

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3 Wall-E In this computer-animated tale, a wide-eyed robot named Wall-E (Waste Allocation Load Lifter-Earth Class) travels through space in search of a friend. Wall-E is a film about friendship, bravery and our impact on the environment. BEFORE COMING TO ACMI Ideas for introducing the film Choose from the following themes to prepare students for watching the film at ACMI. IMAGINING THE FUTURE How do the students imagine the future? What might be different? What are the things that will probably stay the same? THE ENVIRONMENT What are the things we need to do now to make sure that the world of the future is a good place to live? Make a list of the things the students and the school community are already doing to live sustainably. Sometimes a small effort can make a big difference. What extra ideas do the students have? Why is it so important that people cooperate to care for the environment? What happens when people don t cooperate? ACTIVITIES Work in groups to suggest ways that people can join together to make the world a better place. Present ideas on a poster that can be placed in a public space. Each group can suggest a way for the school community to improve the school environment. These ideas can be published in the weekly Newsletter. ROBOTS AND INVENTIONS FREE FOR EDUCATIONAL USE - Education Resource- WALL-E Page 3

4 What new things might be invented to help us in the future? Will people rely on robots to do a lot of jobs? What kinds of jobs do robots already do? What might they do in the future? ACTIVITY Design a robot that will make the world a better place. BACK AT SCHOOL Ideas for exploring Wall-E RESPONSE TO THE FILM Which aspects of the film stand out? Which moments made people feel sad? Why? Which moments made people laugh? Why were these moments funny? What did the students think about the ending? What was the message of the film? THE IMPORTANCE OF FRIENDSHIP Why is friendship so important? ACTIVITY What makes someone a good friend? What does Wall-E teach us about friendship? Interview a classmate and find out something special about him/her that you didn t know before. THE IMPORTANCE OF THE ENVIRONMENT Follow up the discussion that preceded the screening of the film. How has Wall-E added to the students understanding of environmental issues? How did the film deal with the importance of cooperating to protect the environment? FREE FOR EDUCATIONAL USE - Education Resource- WALL-E Page 4

5 ACTIVITY Create a poster using the character of Wall-E to encourage people to care for the environment. ANIMATION What kind of animation is used to tell the story of Wall-E? What kinds of things did the students notice about the film s animation techniques? Wall-E is a film made by computer animation film studio Pixar. o Do students know of any other Pixar films they have seen? [Toy Story (1995), A Bug s Life (1998), Toy Story 2 (1999), Monsters Inc. (2001), Finding Nemo (2003), The Incredibles (2004), Cars (2006), Ratatouilee (2007), Up (2009), Toy Story 3 (2010), Cars 2 (2011)] o Can they recognise any similarities in the way these stories are animated? (Eg character, setting, colours used) ANIMATION CHARACTERS Why is Wall-E such a memorable character? What are some of the things about him that make him so sweet and engaging? Why are eyes such an important feature of animation? o Describe the look and the shape of Wall-E s eyes. o How are they made so appealing? o Using the whiteboard, draw a set of similarly shaped faces and give them all the same mouth and nose. Now ask students to take turns adding different eyes. Which eye shapes and sizes are the cutest, scariest, meanest? How does changing the eyes change the entire face? How does sound contribute to the character of Wall-E? Describe Eve. Why do you think Wall-E finds her so appealing? Describe the humans Why do they look the way they do? Show the students different shots of the humans some from close-up and others in wide shot (where you see them as a mass.) How does the way that the characters are framed change the way they are understood? FREE FOR EDUCATIONAL USE - Education Resource- WALL-E Page 5

6 SETTING What is interesting or particularly noticeable about the setting of Wall-E? o Describe the colours used. o Why were these colours chosen? o Compare the look of the Earth with the space station. o Which of the worlds would the students prefer to live in? FURTHER ACTIVITIES FOR EXPLORING WALL-E. Create storyboards of a favourite scene. Remember to use different shots and angles to make the story more interesting. Listen to the song played in the film s final credits (Down to Earth by Peter Gabriel). What is the message of the lyrics? Create a publicity poster of Wall-E. Incorporate one of the art styles featured in the film s closing credits (Ancient Egyptian; Ancient Roman; pastel, pen, painting or computer graphics). The credits of Wall-E are also a good way to focus on close interpretation. Why are they designed in the way they are? What do they add to the film? How do the song and the imagery complement each other? Create a space dance for Wall-E and Eva. ANOTHER RESOURCE FREE FOR EDUCATIONAL USE - Education Resource- WALL-E Page 6