2 hr plan

Sponge activity:
The activity is for them to take out a piece of paper and to write down their top five favorite scary movies. Then I will have them each tell me one of those movies and I’ll ask them what common thing do they all have in common, such as a creature or they’re all gore, etc. Then I will ask only a few to tell me why they are their favorite movies, in the context that – what makes it their favorite? Why is it special? There aren’t any materials needed for this activity, aside from the student’s own paper and writing utensil.

Introduction:
Hello, my name is Denyce Martinez and my Senior Project topic is Horror Film History. The reason I chose this as my topic is that I am incredibly fascinated by horror, real and in cinema. It’s been my favorite movie genre all my life. My Essential Question is What in the genre of horror history has made the most significant influence on horror today? This question basically is asking what do we, as an audience to horror, see in modern day film that has expanded over time from the origin of horror?

Foundation:
A short introduction to the history of horror is that the first horror movies were silent and in black in white, during the early 1900’s. The Golem, created around 1917, is said to be the first horror film, which was directed by and stared Paul Wegener. This movie influenced author Mary Shelley during her creation of a monster, the story of Frankenstein. One of the most popular early horror films is Nosferatu, whom is the first vampire. This film was also silent, in black and white, and was created in 1922. By the 1960s, horror had really expanded into the stories of murder and started to include sexual desires by the creature to the victim. As one of my sources, HorrorFilmHistory.com, said, “horror, sex, and laughter are never very far apart”.
In regards to my career aspects with horror film, I have decided that in college I am going to minor in theater so that I may continue to act in the dramatic feel that I like. With that, I will be credentialed as an actress, but I plan to teach theater in high schools with that degree.

Body:
Answer 1: Modern twists to classic horror.
Activity 1: Students are to read a poem by Edgar Allan Poe and to investigate the relationship between his word choice and interpretation of his writing. This activity will allow the students to make a connection to modern horror. We will then have a classroom discussion on the connections they find.
Answer 2: Based on true events.
Activity 2: Students are to write, in their table groups, a short (half page) fictional news story that could be made into a horror movie. Then, they will read their stories to the class. I will decide which story is best and winning table (each student) will receive a goodie bag.

Conclusion
What is your best answer and why?
My best answer is the modern twist from classic stories. The reason this is my best answer is because through the original stories are what made the genre itself grow. It's like the stem of a flower. The early 1900s when horror originated are the stem and modern horror in how much its grown is the rose.

What is your 3 most important sources and why?
1. Actress Jennifer Lyons because she was my most experienced interviewee in the field of acting, and horror.
2. HorrorFilmActing.com because it taught me everything there is to know about the history of horror and how it’s progressed over the past century, since its origination is the early 1900s.
3. Service learning with David Michael – he taught me so many different exercises, techniques, and we reviewed a lot of films to notice the different acting styles.


What is your product and why?
What I got most out of this senior project is the experience needed in order to be a better actress. I spent a year studying what horror is and learning a lot of the best suggested techniques and exercises. Through my independent component 2, before I did the revision, I got the most serious acting experience I have ever had to do. Before, I would only act for fun and I wouldn’t take it so seriously. Now, I can do anything for horror on demand and I’m really proud of myself for that.