Lesson Plan
Bringing Mark Watney to Life
Students will be able to analyze the portrayal of Mark Watney in the film, comparing it to his characterization in the novel.
Understanding how characters are adapted across different mediums helps students develop critical media literacy and analytical skills.
Audience
8th Grade Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Students will compare and contrast Mark Watney's portrayal in the book and film.
Materials
Prep
Teacher Preparation
15 minutes
- Review the Bringing Mark Watney to Life Lesson Plan and all linked materials: Casting Watney Slides, Book vs. Screen Watney Worksheet, and Casting Call Game.
- Ensure access to the film adaptation of 'The Martian' for key scenes (specific scenes to be determined by the teacher based on time and relevance).
- Make copies of the Book vs. Screen Watney Worksheet.
Step 1
Actor vs. Character Brainstorm
5 minutes
- Begin by displaying the first slide of the Casting Watney Slides.
- Ask students: "When you read a book, do you imagine what the characters look like? What about their voices?" Allow for a brief class discussion.
- Introduce the concept of an actor bringing a character to life. Discuss the difference between a character as written and an actor's interpretation.
Step 2
Viewing of Key Scenes
10 minutes
- Use the Casting Watney Slides to guide the viewing of pre-selected key scenes from 'The Martian' film that prominently feature Mark Watney.
- As students watch, instruct them to pay close attention to the actor's choices: facial expressions, tone of voice, body language, and how these choices convey Watney's personality and emotions.
- Distribute the Book vs. Screen Watney Worksheet before viewing the scenes.
Step 3
Character Portrayal Chart
8 minutes
- After viewing the scenes, direct students to complete the 'Character Portrayal Chart' section of the Book vs. Screen Watney Worksheet.
- Students should list specific examples from both the book and the film that highlight how Mark Watney is portrayed.
- Facilitate a brief discussion, asking students to share some of their observations.
Step 4
Debate: Who is the 'Real' Watney?
7 minutes
- Divide the class into small groups or pairs.
- Present the debate prompt: "Who do you think is the 'real' Mark Watney: the character in the book or the character brought to life by the actor in the film? Justify your answer with evidence from both the novel and the film."
- Conclude with a whole-class share-out of group conclusions, emphasizing that there's no single 'right' answer, but strong arguments are based on evidence.
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Slide Deck
Bringing Mark Watney to Life
How do actors bring characters from books to the big screen?
Welcome students and introduce the lesson's main question. Briefly explain that today's lesson will explore how a character from a book is portrayed on screen.
Imagining Characters
When you read a book, do you imagine what the characters look like and sound like?
Ask students to think about their own experiences. When they read a book, do they picture the characters? Do they hear their voices? Encourage a few students to share their thoughts.
Actor's Interpretation
An actor takes a written character and brings them to life through their performance. How might an actor's choices impact how we see a character?
Explain that an actor's job is to take the author's words and bring them to life through their performance. Discuss that this interpretation can sometimes differ from what a reader imagines.
Watching Watney: Key Scenes
We will watch some important scenes featuring Mark Watney from 'The Martian' film. Focus on:
- Facial expressions
- Body language
- Tone of voice
- Overall demeanor
Inform students they will watch key scenes featuring Mark Watney. Emphasize that they should pay attention to how the actor, Matt Damon, portrays Watney.
Comparing Portrayals
As you watch, think about how the actor's choices compare to the Mark Watney you imagined while reading the book. Use your Book vs. Screen Watney Worksheet to jot down your thoughts.
Instruct students to use the worksheet to record their observations. Briefly explain the 'Character Portrayal Chart' section.
Debate: Who is the 'Real' Watney?
Based on the book and the film, who do you think is the 'real' Mark Watney? Be ready to defend your choice with evidence!
Transition to the debate portion. Explain the prompt and encourage students to use evidence from both the book and film to support their arguments.
Reflect and Conclude
Great job comparing and contrasting! Understanding how characters are portrayed in different ways helps us become better readers and viewers.
Conclude the lesson by summarizing the importance of understanding character portrayal across different media. Encourage students to continue thinking critically about adaptations.
Worksheet
Book vs. Screen Watney: A Character Study
Name: ____________________________
Date: ____________________________
Part 1: Initial Thoughts - Before Viewing (5 minutes)
Think about Mark Watney from the novel, The Martian.
-
Describe Mark Watney in three words based on your reading.
-
What is one specific scene or quote from the book that really shows who Mark Watney is?
Part 2: Observing the Actor - During Viewing (10 minutes)
As you watch the scenes from the film, pay close attention to the actor (Matt Damon) portraying Mark Watney. Jot down your observations in the table below.
| What the Actor Does (e.g., facial expression, tone of voice, body language) | What it Tells You About Watney (e.g., emotion, personality trait) |
|---|---|
Part 3: Character Portrayal Chart - After Viewing (8 minutes)
Now, compare how Mark Watney is portrayed in the book versus the film. Provide specific examples from both.
| Characteristic/Trait | How it is shown in the BOOK (Example/Quote) | How it is shown in the FILM (Actor's Choice/Scene) |
|---|---|---|
| Humor | ||
| Resilience | ||
| Intelligence | ||
| Vulnerability |
Part 4: Debate Prep: Who is the 'Real' Watney? (7 minutes)
Based on your analysis, jot down some notes to prepare for a class discussion or debate. Do you think the book's Mark Watney or the film's Mark Watney is the 'real' one? Why?
My argument:
Game
The Casting Call Challenge!
Objective: To consider the qualities an actor needs to bring a character to life, just like with Mark Watney!
Your Mission:
Imagine you are a casting director for a new movie based on a book. You need to cast an actor for a crucial new character. Let's call them Elara Vance.
Character Profile: Elara Vance
Elara is a brilliant but socially awkward astrophysicist who discovers a critical anomaly in deep space. She is incredibly detail-oriented, prone to intense focus, and often expresses her excitement through rapid-fire scientific explanations. She struggles with public speaking but is fiercely brave when it comes to defending her scientific findings. She has a subtle, dry wit that often goes unnoticed by those around her.
Your Task (Work in pairs or small groups):
-
What three key qualities should an actor playing Elara Vance possess? (Think about personality, emotional range, and communication style)
Quality 1:
Quality 2:
Quality 3:
-
Why are these qualities important for portraying Elara effectively? (Connect each quality to her character profile)
-
Suggest one famous actor (or any actor you know!) who you think would be a great fit for Elara Vance.
-
Justify your actor choice. How does this actor embody the qualities you listed and fit the character profile of Elara Vance?
Share Out:
Be ready to present your casting choice and justification to the class!