Readings:
The Negro Speaks of Rivers (langston hughes)
On Being Brought from Africa to America (Phyllis Wheatley)
What to the Slave is the Fourth of July (Frederick Douglas)
Instructions
Create digital storyboards based on themes like Freedom, Autonomy, and Dehumanization from the readings we’ve studied. you to be thoughtful and creative. Follow these steps:
Identify Key Scenes and Quotes: You can begin by identifying key scenes or quotes from your readings that vividly illustrate the themes of Freedom, Autonomy, and Dehumanization. For each theme, pick at least two or three strong examples.
Storyboard Layout: Choose a layout for your storyboard. A traditional format is a series of rectangular frames in a sequence, but feel free to be creative. Each frame will represent a key moment or idea from your readings.
Visual Representation:
Freedom: Depict scenes showing liberation, escape, or the joy of freedom. Use open spaces, bright colors, or characters breaking free from chains or barriers.
Autonomy: Illustrate characters making their own choices or controlling their destiny. Use images of individuals standing apart from a crowd, or engaged in thoughtful decision-making.
Dehumanization: Show how characters are stripped of their humanity. This can be represented by robotic features, faceless crowds, or individuals in uniform, featureless settings.
Annotations: Next to or below each frame, include short annotations. These should explain how the scene relates to the theme, possibly quoting directly from your readings.
Use of Color and Light: Colors and lighting can powerfully convey mood. Bright, warm colors might represent freedom, neutral or balanced colors for autonomy, and cold, harsh colors for dehumanization.
Character Expressions and Poses: Pay special attention to how characters are depicted. Joyful, determined faces can convey freedom; thoughtful or resolute expressions can represent autonomy; and blank or distressed expressions can show dehumanization.
Background and Setting: The setting can reinforce the theme. Open skies or horizons can symbolize freedom, crossroads or individual spaces can symbolize autonomy, and stark, oppressive environments can reflect dehumanization.
Incorporate Symbolism: Use symbols to reinforce your themes. For freedom, birds or open doors; for autonomy, a compass or a steering wheel; for dehumanization, gears or cages.
Feedback and Revision: Once your storyboard is drafted, get feedback. This could be from peers, instructors, or anyone familiar with the readings. Use their insights to refine and improve your storyboard.
Remember, a storyboard is not just a visual representation but a storytelling tool. Ensure each frame contributes to the narrative you’re trying to convey based on your readings.
Here is a link to the rubric to help you think about where to place your time and attention.
TOOLS
Here are some free options that you can use:
Canva: Canva is a popular graphic design platform that’s user-friendly and offers a variety of templates, including ones for storyboards. It’s great for combining images, text, and other graphic elements.
Storyboard That: This is a specialized tool for creating storyboards. It offers a limited free version where you can create storyboards with a range of characters, scenes, and text bubbles.
Google Slides or Microsoft PowerPoint Online: These presentation tools are familiar to many and can be easily adapted for storyboard creation. They offer flexibility in layout, text, and image placement.
GIMP: For those who are more comfortable with image editing, GIMP is a free and open-source alternative to Photoshop. It’s ideal for creating more detailed and custom illustrations for storyboards.
Pixton: This is an online comic-making tool that’s great for storyboards. The free version allows access to a range of characters and backgrounds, which can be useful for visual storytelling.
Miro: Miro is an online collaborative whiteboard platform that can be used for creating storyboards. It’s especially useful for group projects, as multiple users can work on the board simultaneously.
Krita: Krita is a professional, free, and open-source painting program. It’s more suited for those who want to create detailed, artistic illustrations for their storyboards.
Adobe Spark: Adobe Spark offers a range of design tools, including options for creating web pages, graphics, and short videos, which can be adapted for storyboard creation.
Comments from Customer
Discipline: African American Literature