Brave New Worlds

goals

• Create an original work of dystopian (or utopian) fiction or non-fiction
• Draw upon dystopian fiction, films, other media, and real world examples for ideas

your goal

• Your utopia or dystopia should begin with and arise from a modern societal problem(s) or technology
• Utilize techniques of satire to critique this problem, warn your audience about it, or solve it (if utopian)

goals

• Your utopia or dystopia should begin with and arise from a modern societal problem(s) or technology
• Utilize techniques of satire to critique this problem, warn your audience about it, or solve it (if utopian)

example "Problems"

• social media narcissism
• our reliance on tech to do things we used to do on our own
• gene editing, CRISPR, "Designer Babies"
• specific problem(s) in education, gov't, politics, or environment
• anything from Soc Sem, BNW, films, etc.
• North Korea (dys); Brook Farm (utopia)

Example Formats (Narrative)

• write a short story (1000-1500 words)
• direct a short film (live action, 10 min.)
• create a short film (still images, voiceover, music, etc. using iMovie, Movie Maker, Animoto, etc.)
• write and perform a readers' theater or stage play
• write and record a radio play (podcast)

Example Formats (misc. media)

• create a board, card, or online game
• painting, photography, and/or other visual art
• write and record (or play) an original song with lyrics and music
• create a foldable travel brochure or infomercial (advertise your dystopian community and persuade people to visit)

Example Formats (informational)

• Choose one of the previous formats, but research and report on a real world example of a dystopian or utopian society
• For example, instead of creating a short film about your own original dystopian society, research and produce a documentary style film on North Korea

Questions (Brainstorm)

• What modern societal problem(s) might you address? (what's something you're passionate about, angry about, or frightened of?)
• Will you go dystopian or utopian with it?
• You're free to brainstorm in bullets, in pictures, as a freewrite, or any way your brain works...
• But do spend time brainstorming.

Questions (gov't and people)

• What kind of government runs your society? What laws? How do the people view them? How does the gov't enforce them?

Questions (backstory)

• WHY is this society the way it is (what was it like before that led it here)? What went wrong? Who or what's at fault?

Questions (People)

• Who lives here? Is it one group or are there privileged and underprivileged classes (and privileged how? just financial, or rights, access to technologies, etc.?) Caste system?
• What kind of morality? Attitude towards drugs, sex, religion, tech, etc.?

Questions (entertainment)

• Do the people have access to any entertainment or fun?
• Are there any gov't sponsored or individual holidays? Are they actually fun or are they twisted into propaganda and behavioral brainwashing?

Questions (Control)

• How are citizens treated by the gov't in power? Do they rely on brainwashing/propaganda? Fear? Mind control?

Project Pitch

• WHAT are you going to create?
• WHY do you want to create it?
• HOW are you going to go about learning & creating it?
• WHAT does success look like for this project? How will you know if you've been successful?
• 30-45 seconds

format requirements

• short story/written (1000-1500 words)
• film, podcast, or live presentation (6 minutes min. for solo or partner; 8 min. for group of 3; 10 min. for group of 4 or 5)
• storyboard, graphic novel, or print media (min. 6 panels)
• song or poem (3 minutes or 30 lines of poetry/lyrics; note you could also do a series of shorter poems or songs)