Activity Overview
Like Hercules, Theseus is a hero of many adventures. Have students retell one (or more) of his heroic encounters in the style of a TV episode, or perhaps a skit that will actually be filmed in class. For this activity, students need to move beyond the words on the page and reimagine the myth as a television episode or video. Students need to consider setting, theme, characters, point of view, and more when devising a movie storyboard!
Some of Theseus' Adventures
Theseus encountered quite a few villains in his day:
- Periphetes the Club-Bearer
- Sinis the Pine-Bender
- Phaia (Crommyonian Sow)
- Sceiron
- Cercyon
- Procrustes
- Medea
- Minotaur
- Marathon Bull
- Amazons
- Centaurs and Lapiths
Filming Aspects to Consider
- Setting and props
- Character costumes
- Actions and emotions of characters
- Character dialogue
- Narrator/voiceover
- Camera point of view
- Camera shot distance
- Camera movement within a shot
- Background audio, sound effects, music
- Lighting and/or filters
- Camera Focus
Example Theseus Heroic Episode
| SHOT # | CAMERA | DIALOGUE | ACTION |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Establish the shot | Narrator: When we last left Theseus, he had discovered his true identity and set off for Athens. | Theseus walks toward the camera from a distance. |
| 2 | Zoom in on Periphetes | Narrator: Periphetes the Club-Bearer. He is the son of Hephaestus and Anticleia. His favorite pastimes include whacking people on the head with a bronze club and robbing their corpses. | |
| 3 | Cut to full shot | Periphetes: Halt, Traveler! I am Periphetes. Don't worry, you won't need to remember my name for much longer. I shall beat you with my bronze club! | Periphetes jumps out from behind a tree. Theseus is startled. |
| 4 | Cut to mid shot | Theseus: Wait... is your club REALLY made out of bronze? I've heard the stories, but I just can't believe it. | Theseus shows disbelief and disinterest. |
| 4 | Mid shot | Periphetes: What?! How dare you! I am the mightiest! Take a look for yourself and see my great bronze club! Narrator: He's got him now! | Periphetes gives Theseus the club. |
| 5 | Cut to full shot; slow zoom in and focus on Periphetes | Narrator: Our mighty adventurer gave Periphetes exactly what he deserved: a knock on the noggin! Next time on the Adventures of Theseus: Sinis the Pine-Bender! | Periphetes lies on the ground. Theseus walks away |
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective:
Student Instructions:
- Click “Start Assignment” and give your storyboard a name.
- Complete the title for each cell, using the appropriate filming aspects.
- Explain the scene in each description.
- Illustrate each cell using scenes, characters, items, and dialogue.
- Save and exit when you are done.
Lesson Plan Reference
More Storyboard That Activities
Greek Mythology: Theseus
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