Once Upon A Time in HollyWood...I had a vision. Setting: a 19th Century Feed Store/Schoolhouse transforms into a progressive 21st Century school community. Why a feed store? I wanted to demonstrate through my art how education took a backseat to industry in the 19th century. Clever, huh? Characters: An old schoolmarm, chickens, goats, pigs and a classroom of bored children. A wise-beyond-her-years modern teacher with a flare for fashion and implementing digital writing tools. Crisis: Old Schoolmarm is stuck in her old habits, thus her unmotivated, whiny students don't want to take out their Big Chief writing tablets and work. Resolution: Fashionable teacher comes in and saves the day with digital tool infographics and TPACK expertise. Months ago, when it was revealed that a requirement of our capstone project was to produce a 90 second video, I literally could not contain my excitement. For you see, not long ago, I, Teresa Eleanor Giner, was an award winning actress. Yes, it's very true. I treaded the boards on many a community theater stage. But, like Angelina Jolie, as much as I am a phenomenal actress, my real passion is directing. So, I got right down to it. Wrote a magnificent script. Built all the sets (how else was I going to shoot a 19th century school house and feed store.) Sewed all the costumes. Turned my dining room into a studio because the lighting was p-e-r-f-e-c-t! My initial plan was to shoot a stop-motion video, but since I have poor vision and arthritic hands, that was a bust. After all the footage was spliced, I cast my friends for their voice over talents. Despite some complaints of nepotism, my very best friend Carla was cast as the schoolmarm. She has a schoolmarm voice, after all. Despite the fact that Rosie, Yolanda and Randy are senior citizens, I cast them as the school children. The girls could pull off little kid voices, but Randy? Oh my goodness, his character sure had a deep voice for a seven year old. After wrapping up, we celebrated with root beer floats and Mylanta. At this point, you must be thinking, "Wow! This is an amazing behind the scenes expose'." AND, just like the twist at the end of every Dateline episode, there is a shocking conclusion. There was no market for it. Where did I go wrong? Unfortunately, my vision was too big for my $24.97 Walmart gift card budget. The 19th century feed store and school house were unavailable. I literally don't know any children outside of school. Literally. Skywriting TPACK and filming it before the wind blew it away was impossible. And! Like every Steven Seagal movie ever made, poor casting was an issue. I used my extensive Calico Critters collection to represent the transformation of sad, uninspired writing instruction into the optimistic modern world of digital writing. It turns out my video was too damn cute. My critics applauded my final cut, but, like Jennifer Lopez's The Cell back in 2000, it didn't have a place...yet. So, like Joel Schumacher after Batman and Robin (1997), I picked myself off the floor where I had cried like that infantile Steven Seagal for three whole days, and eventually got up and moved on to the next project. Lessons Learned from the Academy's Next Power Director My advice to anyone who has been kicked in the stomach after putting their heart and soul into something they believe in, only to watch it fail: Try again. Don't Give Up. Every experience is taking you closer to greatness. My advice to other teachers: Let your students see you fail, and get up, and try again. Through your glorious mistakes, you will teach them how to persevere. Technology is not easy. Writing is not easy. Giving up should not be easy. For Your Viewing Pleasure I present to you both of my 90 second videos. (Only 5 star comments will be posted.) version 1 version 2
3 Comments
Jona Sandau
7/12/2019 03:54:05 pm
Tess, I can't believe you made two videos! Your first video was my favorite, due to your incredible directing skills and creativity! I absolutely loved reading your blog and will miss your writing terribly now that the program is coming to its end. You have put so much heart into your work, and inspired all of us along the way. I am absolutely thrilled that we will both be second grade teachers in American Canyon next year. Plan to hear from me about needing ideas for teaching writing!
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Rafael Garcia Avila
7/12/2019 08:33:04 pm
Oh my friend Tess,
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Catalina J Goldstein
7/15/2019 01:19:57 pm
Your first video is amazing. It shows creativity, content, and true innovation. Do you remember you couldn't even log on to Zoom that first class?! And know you've made this entertaining and informative video. You have much to be proud of! A real mensch!
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Tess Giner
This is my 25th year as a public school teacher. I've taught every grade between Kindergarten and 12th grade. I hope to encourage my students to love writing and reading as much as I do. Archives
July 2019
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