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"They’re not fancy words. That’s where we get confused. But they’re poetry. It’s hard to grab hold of some rap slang too. It’s hard to get hold of it until your ear gets tuned. You have to tune up." Al Pacino
Macbeth 18 - Looking for Richard Movie & Questions: We always had just enough time to watch the first half of this movie. But man, what a half of a movie it is! There are so many reasons to show this film if you are teaching Shakespeare. For me, there were three reasons at the forefront. The first was the very real, practical advice that Pacino (and others) have for those who are going to be performing Shakespeare. My students will be putting on their Macbeth scenes a few weeks after viewing this movie. The second reason is that it features high school students and other nonactors talking about Shakespeare - both what they love - and what they don't get. Finally, this movie - like so much of what we do in my class focuses on the text. The answers are not found in the history or in feelings - but in the actual words that Shakespeare wrote (and performed). Unlike most of my movie questions, because the students are working so hard on their Macbeth Scenes, I only require that they answer four questions (these questions will really help them with those scenes) - and the rest of the questions are extra credit.
Lesson Overview
Lesson Overview
See my page on Movie Questions. In this very specific case only four questions were actually dues to be turned in. But remember, these Movie Questions are like mini-essays - so four is a lot (in a good way). The movie will help the students with their Macbeth Scenes (that they will put on in a few weeks) in immeasurable ways. The actors in the movie go through the script (using Folger Editions btw) and talk (sometimes wonderfully passionately) about what is happening and how it should be done on stage. This is exactly what the students will be doing. As always (with my movie questions) - there are nonitalic questions (that are to be answered while watching and italic questions which are to be answered at length, at home. Here are my opening directions taken directly from the handout:
If you don’t watch it in class – you need to state at the top of your Movie Question answers how you viewed the film (a copy of a receipt – from the library or website is helpful, and answer a few questions from the teacher). You can rent the film from Amazon, Google, and there is a copy on YouTube but it is broken into many parts.
For the most part you are to sit back and enjoy the film – and pay very close attention to how Al Pacino and company put on Richard III; and how can you can use what you see in a very practical way in your hoped-for Macbeth productions. Glance at all of the questions BUT you only need to answer and turn in the questions with asterisks in front of them (2a, 2b, 6, and 15). If you answer the other questions – they you may turn them in for Extra Credit (up to 100 points – and it may go into next quarter). THERE will be a short quiz at the end of the movie, so make sure you are paying attention. As you are watching also try and pay attention to the story of Richard III.
THINK of this Film as an instruction manual of how – when we actually do get to putting on scenes from Macbeth - you and your group can go about approaching, understanding and practicing your scene. For instance – watch the wonderful discussions the actors and director have about the play (Richard III) – this should be at the heart of your Director’s Notebooks – make those Notebooks (really, prompt books for your scene) REAL. (Extra Credit 25 points – watch the remaining 60 minutes of this film with your group and answer a few questions – not movie questions, don’t worry).
I saw this movie at its World Premiere. It was at a conference for English Teachers (NCTE) and after it was over it got a standing ovation from the standing room only audience of English Teachers. More than anything else, I think we were grateful that someone articulated both this love of Shakespeare but also that there is a path to understanding it – and that path lies through the actual words of the author. After the film was over, Al Pacino was there and talked about the film and answered a few questions (along with the great film critic Gene Siskel).
ATTENTION: Notice how they sit around and go over the text is a great way for you to begin the discussion of your scene – eventually we (you) will be putting on scenes from Macbeth. Use the thoughtfulness and creativity of the discussions you see as a guide for your own discussions when you get together – remember – when you cut, when you cast, when you set your scene – etc. – all of these things should have meaning…
I show the first 43 minutes of the movie - up until the end of the scene between Al Pacino and Wynnoa Rider (when Richard says "But I won't keep her long"). There are many standout scenes and quotes from this movie - from ordinary on the street interview to famous actors. One that really stands out is the actress who passionately defends her character and says she is not to be taken lightly. The passion that she gives in addressing her fellow actors is exactly what her character is - it is seemless and powerful.
I usually allow the students to watch the rest of the movie and take a short oral quiz for an additional 100 points Extra Credit.
Handouts
Handouts
Most Recent Handouts and Variations:
Most Recent Handouts and Variations:
This is the most recent version - all of the questions are there - but only the four starred questions are required and the rest are Extra Credit.
This is the most recent version with all questions there and required.
This version has fewer questions and less italicized ones (miniessays) for the nonhonors classes.
See my page on Movie Questions for the how and the why of these handouts.
Here is a link to where you can find Looking for Richard streaming. JustWatch is a great site for streaming information and is updated regularly. Here is the description of the movie from that site: Al Pacino's deeply-felt rumination on Shakespeare's significance and relevance to the modern world through interviews and an in-depth analysis of "Richard III."
Remote Enhancements
Remote Enhancements
I actually showed this when we were remote. It was the first film that I streamed remotely. I remember while I was streaming it I had the students turn their cameras on so I could see them (ha!) but I turned mine off because I discovered the streaming took all of the bandwith.
Macbeth Day - The Play is the Thing - Perhaps the most important, fun, and exhausting day of the year. The students will next put on their scenes that they've been planning for about a month. We are in the Theater for an entire day. Students perform by period - though not necessarily in order of their periods. For those periods when there are no performances - there are activities. During their lunch period - we all take lunch together, they work with their groups or their friends on a sonnet contest which they get a chance to recite when we return from lunch. The students always do an amazing job.
WHAT CAME BEFORE:
WHAT CAME BEFORE:
Thoughts on the Lesson
Thoughts on the Lesson
I still remember the day I first saw this movie. It was at the Fine Arts Theater in downtown Chicago and it was the national premiere (there was an NCTE convention going on). What makes it even more memorable was that three of my heroes were there in person - Al Pacino (the star and creator), Gene Siskel (the famous film critic) and my friend Michael Lomonico from the Folger Shakespeare Library (and a teacher that taught me so much of what I know about Shakespeare and teaching).
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