Lesson Plan

Pedagogical approach: analysing intertextual references

View episodes 8 and 9 of Noah & Saskia. Refer to other episodes.

The filmmakers draw on a range of sources and traditions in creating the ‘texts’ in the series.

Discuss the meaning of ‘hybridity’ (eg plants). Introduce Y charts (looks like/sounds like/feels like) as a tool for analysing intertextual references. Intertextuality is the influence or ‘echoing’ of other texts and can take many forms including connections to other genres, plot lines, characters, music, gestures, catchphrases, etc.

Use the following prompts to support students’ investigation of the traditions the writers/directors have ‘borrowed’ and their origins.

Ask students to work in pairs using Worksheet 8, Y Chart to analyse a scene from the episode:

• What visuals (images, icons, characters, props, settings, SFX, etc) do you recognise from other texts?
• What audio (voices, sound effects, music, etc) do you recognise from other texts?
• What ‘feel’ is created by the text? Does it remind you of any other texts?
• What other examples of these forms can they identify?

The following references can be used to highlight the use of intertextuality: the use of chat, emails, player profiles, Kahootz for the webweave environment, the online comic: The Very Real and Excellent Adventures of Max Hammer; Max’s portrayal of Indy as Little Red Riding Hood, etc. Visit www.abc.net.au/noahandsaskia for online examples.

Students share the intertextual references they have identified and discuss other instances of intertextuality in books, films, websites, etc.

Students develop their own plot for an edition of, The Very Real and Excellent Adventures of Max Hammer comic strip.

Students take note of the things that influence or inspire them such as other genres, plot lines, characters, gestures, catchphrases, etc. This can be made into a class comic more: More Very Real and Excellent Adventures of Max Hammer.