Power

Evan Almighty: Power

Thursday, July 03, 2008

JCP Video Conversation Class Handout

Teacher: Laura Noggle

Introduction Questions:

What do you think of when you think of “power”? Are there different kinds?

Who usually has “power”? Where do people of power usually live/work ?

What are some other names for power? For boss? (head honcho, big kahuna, etc) What are symbols of power?

Scene 1(Chapter 3) New Position, New Abilities, New Responsibilities:

Notice the location, clothing, etc. What does it say about power?

Meeting someone for the first time, what do you notice about the intern’s introduction? Is it appropriate? What are some more things NOT to say when you first meet someone?

Notice: Evan is given a big task he doesn’t want to do, or is unsure of, but his colleague tells him: “It’s world changing time.”

Are most things worth doing if the end result is good? What if it hurts people in the process? How can you tell his wife and kids are upset? Do they need words?

Scene 2 (Chapter 4) Genesis 6:14:

Stage One: Watch the scene and summarize what happened.

Stage Two: Watch the scene again, and answer the questions:

Watch the scene again and say if the following sentences are true or false.

a. The wood is delivered to house 614. _____

b. Evan calls the number right away. _____

c. The TV and the clock have the same message. _____

d. The Bible is sitting on a shelf. _____

e. The wood came from Canada. _____

Conversations with God:

If you could talk to God, what would you say, ask? What would you most want to know? Watch Evan’s conversation with God and make some predictions:

Stage One: Watch the scene with the sound off and answer these questions:

• Who’s God? Does he look like you would expect?

• Does Evan recognize God?

• What do you think they are talking about?

• How do you think God proves he is God?

• What will he tell Evan to let him know he knows him completely? What secrets would God know? What could God say to you that only God would know?

• What do you think Evan is saying to himself in the mirror?

· What do you think Evan is trying to say to the police man?

· What would you do in the same situation?

Stage Two: Watch the scene again and predict some the language which may be spoken in the argument. Predict six words, for example.

Stage Three: In pairs, write the script for the scene.

Stage Four: Take turns to lip-synch the scene standing next to the T.V. Next, watch the original scene and compare it with your own.

Further Activities: Class Oscars. Whose was the funniest? Whose was closest to the original? Whose was the worst?

Put the following sentences into the order in which they appear.

a. Evan is told what to do. ( )

b. Evan is sleeping under piles of paper. ( )

c. The wood is delivered. ( )

d. Evan drives to work. ( )

e. Evan interrupts his son’s TV program. ( )

f. God appears as different people in town. ( )

g. Evan realizes what Gen 6:14 means. ( )

h. Evan and God have their first conversation. ( )

i. Evan puts the alarm clock in the drawer. ( )

j. God appears. ( )

God tells Evan: “You want to know how to change the world? One act of random kindness at a time.”

Do you agree? How could this work? Do you have any better ideas?

Scene 3 (Chapter 8) Appearances, Arguments & Know How:

“Ark Building for Dummies” What is an ark? What other “___ for Dummies” books do you know of? Are they helpful? Can you learn how to do anything from a book? What things are best learned from books? From experience? From a teacher?

Evan wakes up with a beard and is very upset. Why?

He says: “Argh, a beard is so dirty!” Why does he think this? Do you agree?

What are the assumptions for a person with a beard? Stereotypes? What are your feelings about facial hair? Different kinds? How important are appearances in how people view and see you?

His wife says: “Whoah! What’s with the scruffle mountain man?” What does she mean? Why does God usually have a beard? Your thoughts?

The Argument:

Stage One: Pre-listening task

• Why do married couples argue? (A big question!)

Stage Two: While-listening task

With the T.V. turned away (vision off) listen to the scene answering the gist question:

• Why does this couple have an argument?

Answer: Evan bought the surrounding land. Can you remember any of the argument words? List them on the board.

Stage Three: While-listening task

· Write down some of the key phrases, paying attention to where they words and syllables are STRESSED

Having an Argument

First, decide which of the following couples you want to be:

· mother and daughter * two friends

· father and son * two work colleagues

· mother and son * brother and sister

· father and daughter * two drivers

Make a list below of the reasons why these two people may argue then write a short script of a typical argument. Underline the stressed parts of the sentences.