Material added: January 17.

Luke 15: 11-32 ... Page Description

The Main Concept:
Kids see the story text laid out before them in sections. In fact, Luke 15 section looks like it will cover THREE pages. They progress through the story section by section seeing videos accompanying narration of text.

When each verse section's narration stops the kids can click on interactive study notes (ie..<huh?>).

Verse narration is a collection of voices representing the various characters: Jesus, father, son, older son.

Some study notes activate the PROJECTOR which shows a flash-like presentation. Bildad kicks/turns on the projector and light comes out to screen.
Other study notes activate Bildad animation.

Bildad is seen onscreen looking at the page sitting in his chair. Some of the study notes activate him as an animation.
The rest of the time he is sitting there occasionally sipping something from a mug, blinking, etc.

Kids have full control. Notes can be accessed at anytime. Narration can be stopped at anytime by clicking on HORN icon. We'll use the Bible background from Sam CD....(graphic at bottom of this screen)

The tone is fun and offbeat.

Navigational BOOKMARKS similar to Sam are seen at bottom of page except they are marked "Main Page, Previous Page, Next Page."

We hear music loop in background whenever nothing is being played or clicked on.

 

 

Seen at the top is a Luke 15: 11-32 The Prodigal Son "Logo" it should periodically shine similar to Good Sam Logo shine but more frequently as the page lays open. We see a projector on a table standing IN FRONT OF the BIBLE on the floor where Bildad is (not part of Bible, but looking like it is in front of and projector ONTO the Bible).

OPENING Animated Bildad introduces the page: "Welcome to Luke 15. Above me you can see the first of three pages from the story. As you go through them, keep this in mind: this story is about far more than a dad and his two boys, it's about God and those who follow him. Go ahead and click on Luke 11 when you're ready."

When kids click verse 11 (or any other section verse icon) the video clips from the FARM footage play on Bildad's projection screen along with the narration. Note: these 'videos' are from the same footage as the music video which plays on the Sontv page of this program. They are editted differently by ERIC, however, to accompany the text. See my notes on each below. Tregg/Eric: you two should confer on this editing, ie, how to break it down to match narration and text attention state.

The onscreen text "glows" as it is narrated. This can be as simple as the 'rollover highlight state' Joe used throughout Sam and Ten C's. Instead of highlighting each word, just highlight each SENTENCE as it is read. Tregg....if you have a better "effect" suggest it.

Barry Weaver will do the narration of the verses.

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MISC Animation Notes

When farm videos run on projector screen accompanying the text, the Projector itself animates (reels roll). Notice that Bildad, the table and speakers are sitting in the foreground infront of the Bible. Joe is drawing the projector animation.

Animated Bildad needs to "reach down to turn on the projector" each time the kids click on a study note to activate the projection presentation. To make this easier to animate, He can just KICK the projector with his foot if you'd like. The kids would enjoy that!

When Bildad isn't saying anything, he needs to have some small movements to show he is alive.

There are two audio speakers connected to the Projector. If they are clicked on the narration for the LUKE 15 text is turned off. Study Note narration cannot be turned off.

A Master Power Switch is seen on each screen apparently hooked up to the projector. This functions to PAUSE the page at any moment. (We need this so kids and teachers don't accidentally click on something and have no way to stop it. Plus it's fun). Put this switch on the floor infront of Bible.

Audio Notes:

Colin....We'll need narration of the entire story, projector sound, icon sounds, and background music when things are idle. We'll need a transition song when kids click to go to second page of Luke 15 text. Bildad animation narrations are, of course, done ---but we'll need sounds for him swooshing onto screen (wait til Joe sends that animation, he may do the getting on screen bit differently.

 

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The LUKE 15 text has three different type of <study note> graphic buttons salted in it.
When clicked the buttons activate one of three things: either a Bildad animation <Bildad>, a flash element on the projector screen <huh?>, or party sound loop (!). These buttons should be animated. The point being that we want to reward the kids for checking out all the notes.

1) <Bildad> -Animated Bildad tells them something about that location's content. He's sitting in a director's chair. He swivels to watch the text above him after he's done talking.

2) <HUH?> this activates Projector/SCREEN which is narrated text presentation (flash, perhaps?) describing something unusual in the program. Humor here is appropriate.

3) <!> This 'study' button associated with the three mentions of the word "party" in the story activates the "Party tonight refrain" from the song ...to which we'll add some funny party sounds, wooha, clink, clink.

Make the Study Note Icons in the section which was JUST READ briefly animate or call attention to themselves to alert kids to click on the notes, rather than just plow through more text. Clarification: these simple "Hey look I'm a Study Note please Click me" highlights ONLY occur after the section is read, NOT at the end of each sentence as it is highlighted.

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"THE SECRET of the Prodigal Son" ...button -- (I accidentally left this button off the above graphic for the luke 15 screen)

The following NARRATED "flash" text appears on the Projection screen when the "Secret of the Prodigal Son" button is clicked.

A parable is a short story with a slightly hidden meaning and often a surprise ending. In the parable of the Prodigal Son, Jesus knew his listeners would understand that God was the father and that the Older Brother was the faithful Jews who had "stayed with God." The Prodigal Son represents non-Jews and outcasts whom Jesus was trying to reach with the message of God's love. Who might the Older Brother and Prodigal Son represent in YOUR world?

(Colin...I want three or four voices to read this together, each taking a phrase. All read the final sentence.)

Following the flash presentation, a BUTTON appears on the screen titled "Click here to make the parable plain as day." When this plain as day button is clicked on, we hear trinkling bells and music unveiling changes in the scripture text seen on the page.

• All words which refer to "FATHER" now becomes "GOD"
• The words that refer to the Prodigal Son now become "those who have strayed from God"
• All words which refer to the OLDER BROTHER become "God's Faithful"

**These words should LOOK DIFFERENT so that they stand out. The transformation stays on screen til they click a "Return to Regular Text."

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Here is the Official version of the Luke text to use ...plus the study note button locations.

I've also broken it down as for how the text should break when kids need to go to new page.

Page One:

11 Then Jesus said, "There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger of them said to his father, "Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.' So he divided his property between them. <HUH?> 13 A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country <HUH?>, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. <HUH?>

14 When he had spent everything, a severe famine <BILDAD> took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs <HUH?>. 16 He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything.

 

Page Two:

17 But when he came to his senses he said, "How many of my father's hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! 18 I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands." ' <BILDAD>

20 So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him <BILDAD>. 21 Then the son said to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' 22 But the father said to his servants, "Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring <HUH?> on his finger and sandals on his feet <HUH?>. 23 And get the fatted calf and kill it <HUH?>, and let us eat and celebrate; 24 for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!' And they began to celebrate. <!>

Page Three:

25 "Now the older brother was in the field <HUH?>; and as he approached the house he heard music and dancing <!>. 26 He called to one of the servants and asked what was going on. 27 He replied, "Your brother has come home, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.' 28 Then he became angry and refused to go in.

His father came out and began to plead with him. 29 But he answered his father, "Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat <HUH?> so that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours <BILDAD> came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes <HUH?>, you killed the fatted calf for him!'

31 Then the father said to him, "Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours <HUH?>. 32 But we had to celebrate and rejoice <!>, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life <HUH?>; he was lost and has been found.' "

And then....<BILDAD> .

 

Button to appear on page below text: "Version Note: This is a slightly modified version based on the NRSV. Only three or four words were clarified to make it more readable. Can you find the changes?"

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<HUH?> (Special Presentations)

Tregg: These should be fun.

PROPERTY BETWEEN THEM --

We see simple graphic onscreen of property being divided. We hear voiceover: "Give me MY SHARE of the property? No, he wasn't being greedy. In those days a father would often split the family business, property, farmland and/or animals between grown sons. The older son usually received a larger share.

We see this text on the projector screen now coming up over property graphic: What kind of 'property' does GOD share among his children?" Does God give more to some and less to others?

DISTANT COUNTRY --

We see son walking into distance away from the word "GOD."
We hear this voiceover: "The son traveled far from his father's watchful eye and guidance." Where and what do people do to be far from God?

DISSOLUTE LIVING --

We see quick montage and rock music of various people living the high life. It ends with the words "And that's what Jesus means when he says, 'Dissolute Living.'"

PIGS--

Show video tape of pigs (shot on the farm). Voiceover: Jewish law forbid the eating of pork. Pigs were considered unclean animals. Jesus knew his audience would understand that the Prodigal Son had sunk to a new low working with unclean animals. What kind of job would signify this new low in your world?

FATTED CALF

Show a fatted calf walking by and then getting scared when he hears the narration, "And get the fatted calf and kill it."
Then the words show up: "Sorry bossie, but in those days beef was a valuable source of nutritious food. So valuable, in fact, that you were fed special food for a month or more just before you were cooked for a special occasion. God doesn't offer leftovers to those he forgives. God doesn't hold a grudge or make you sleep in the barn. God orders up a celebration and offers you the finest from his table.

RING

Various pictures of rings with music behind.
Words on screen: Like a wedding ring, back in the days of Jesus, a ring was a sign of loyalty and faithfulness. It could also be a sign that the ringbearer had the ring-giver's love, authority and blessing. When the father gives his son a ring, it shows that he trusts him again. Forgiving someone means rebuilding a trusting relationship. How could parents show they trust their children?

SANDALS

Picture of feet looking beautiful (comically so with eyes, hair and lipstick)
Words on screen: Back in those days, most people didn't own eight pairs of shoes, and clean feet were considered a beautiful thing (especially if they didn't smell at the dinner table). Those who worked hard for a living would often work without sandals -saving their sandals for better occasions. Sandals, especially nice ones, could be a sign of authority, wealth, or status. When you finally accept that God forgives you --God makes even your feet feel beautiful.

IN THE FIELD

Picture of farm/wheat field.
Imagine you are the Older Brother out busting your tail working in the field. Then you hear the news that your creepy do-nothing little ex-brother is back in town and your dad is fawning all over him and maybe even giving him more money. You're steamed! Instead of getting ready to complain and argue, what should you be hoping for when you get to the house?

 

YOUNG GOAT
Graphic and sound: A goat and a bleat and the words, "Where's the Beef?"

Text: A goat isn't quite as cool as a fatted calf (or as tasty). The Older Son is complaining that his dad has never appreciated HIM that much and thrown him that big a party. What do you think....does the Older Son have a "beef?"

PROSTITUTES

For the graphic: I'd like to see a sign that says "Censored: No prostitute graphics allowed by order of Sunday Software."
Humorous Text: Due to the sexual content of this study note, we've written it backwards (Tregg: write the following backwards): -Prostitutes are people who engage in sex for money.-
But the other Biblical meaning can be "those who seek after other false gods and a false way of life." Which one do you think Jesus meant?

MINE IS YOURS

Graphic: Picture of Older Son straining with a ball and chain around his leg and an anvil in his arms.

Text: Jesus is saying that God holds nothing back from us, so why complain when God is generous with others? The Older Son has been living with his father, but really needs to start living LIKE his father. Why can't the Older Son understand this and let go of his anger? What's holding him back from accepting his younger brother?

DEAD AND HAS COME TO LIFE

Graphic: Night of the Living Dead. Audio: we hear a screech- eek.
Text: Is Jesus talking about ZOMBIES ?
Well.... actually, yes. The Bible often refers to people who are living but dead --dead to God.
What is it in them that's dead? How can you spot the kind of Zombie Jesus is referring to?

 

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List of the Bildad Animations including <Bildad> study notes

Joe now has these sound files. I've added below some notes on how Bildad might move during his animation...

Actual narration text varies from these texts by a few words (but I was too lazy to type what we actually recorded).

OPENING Animated Bildad introduces the page: "Phew, wooo. Well welcome to Luke 15. Above me you can see the first of three pages from the story. As you go through them, keep this in mind: this story is about far more than a dad and his two boys, it's about God and those who follow him. Go ahead and click on Luke 11 when you're ready."

Posing Notes: Bildad scoots on screen and stands there. (Joe, you'll have to get him in his chair somehow. A simple funny but unnatural hop would be fine.)
He says "Phew, wooo. Well welcome to Luke 15." He should wipe his brow. (Recall that his mainmenu narration said "last one there is a rotten egg.")
When he says "this story is about far more than..." he should be tilting his head to the side with one eye squinted looking at the kids to give the aire of wise-ness.
His hands on "far more" could start to spread apart. On "it's about God" he could point heavenward.
He leans back in his chair to say "Go ahead and click on..."

JOE.... It seems to me that his LAST MOTION as an animated character in each narration needs to be the same position as his IDLE STATE so the two animations don't have discontinuity or a visual jump.

 

Severe famine
"The 'severe famine' Jesus is talking about is the lack of another kind of food: "soul food." What other kinds of 'famines' or bad things can cause a person to realize what they are missing in their life? And what are the good things a person can feed their soul with?"

Posing Notes:

He's been sitting there for a bit and puts his elbow on the arm of the director's chair while moving his hand to punctuate. When he says "soul food" he could clasp his hands to his heart.

"Think about this..." He could point his finger as if he 'has a point' to share.

On the word "feed a person's soul" Bildad could pull his hands in toward himself as if feeding his belly.

 

Hired Hands -
"By coming back as a hired hand, the son was humbly letting the father and brother know he didn't expect to be forgiven and his inheritance to be restored. Why then do you suppose the son wanted to come back?"

"It seems to me...." Put Bildad's hand on his CHIN as if he's making a thoughtful point. He can move his hand from his chin to point in front of him, but pull his hand back to his chin.

Kissed him
"Now before you starting going 'ooo, oooo' about all this smooching business, just remember that in many places in the world -kissing is what both men and women do to greet each other. The important point here, is that the father ran to embrace his son even before the son had said anything. What does that say about how forgiveness should feel when you give or get it?"

Posing Notes:

Bildad should do a funny thing with his face and lips for this narration. He purses his lips like he's puckering up and shakes his head quickly.

"But just remember....' He gets more serious.

"father ran to embrace..." Embracing motion.

"...get it or give it." Bildad could move his hands as if 'giving out' and 'receiving in.'

 

Son of yours
"By saying 'that son of yours' -the Older Brother showed that he no longer considered the Prodigal his brother. Do you think he was right or wrong to think that? In the eyes of God when is another human being no longer your brother or sister?

Posing Notes:

"By saying, 'that son of yours'," BILDAD should put on a face mimicking the Older Brother's anger.

"Think about it...." Bildad should again cock his head and squint his eyes a bit.

"who's in and who's out." Bildad should point IN and OUT.

 

And then...
"Hummm....did you notice that Jesus doesn't say how the story ends. Why do you think he didn't? Take a moment and write down, discuss, or maybe even do a skit about how YOU think the story might end."

"Hummm....did ya notice...." Bildad can put his hand to his chin again as he says this line.

Take a moment and write down..." Bildad puts one hand out then puts his other hand out ---sort of like how someone might motion when they say "on one hand, and on the other hand."

 

<!> Launches a party celebration sound file.