The Easter Rising Assignment

Why was the Easter Rising of 1916 such an important event in the history of Irish Nationalism?

What you have to do: Study these clips:

• Aftermath of the Easter Rising (00.56-01.49)
  What Students See: Irish Volunteers drilling in civilian clothes and then in uniform.
• Scenes in Dublin after the suppression of the Easter Rising (00.41-01.37)
  What Students See: British troops marching through centre of Dublin; damage to city and British troops on guard.

Your task

Your task is to use these clips as the basis of a short film about the causes and the impact of the Easter Rising in 1916. Your film is aimed at an audience which knows nothing about Irish history in this period.

Stage 1: Your Research

The first thing you need to do is your research.

Research the clips

You have already viewed the introduction, if you want to view again, click here. Study the clips below. Keep careful notes of what you find out.

• Irish Volunteers (0.55-02.18)
• After the Rising in Dublin (2.18-5.39)
• British forces secure Dublin (6:50-end)
• Dublin after the Rising (0.00-4.32)

Research the sources

Study each of the sources and tackle the questions. Keep careful notes of what you find out, as these will be helpful when you plan your film.

• Extract from RIC Intelligence Report (16/03/1916) Courtesy of: An Garda Siochana
• Extract from The Irish News and Belfast Morning News, April 28th 1916 Courtesy of: The Irish News
• Extract from The Irish News and Belfast Morning News, May 1st 1916 Courtesy of: The Irish News
• Extract from The Irish News and Belfast Morning News, May 4th 1916 Courtesy of: The Irish News
• Extract from the Belfast Evening Telegraph, April 26th 1916 Courtesy of: The Belfast Telegraph
• Extract from the Belfast Evening Telegraph, April 28th 1916 Courtesy of: The Belfast Telegraph
• Extract from the Belfast Evening Telegraph, May 4th 1916 Courtesy of: The Belfast Telegraph
• A letter sent to the Foreign Office in 1916 Courtesy of the National Archives

Research the extra sources and clips

If you want to find out more about the subject go to the archive section.

Stage 2: Planning and Making Your Film

Now it’s time to plan and make your film.

Film style

First of all, decide exactly what kind of film you are making and what the audience for the film is. It could be:

• a pro or anti Nationalist news report set in 1916 and covering the events of the Rising
• a pro or anti Nationalist news report set in 1916 looking at why the Rising has taken place
• a modern documentary style film about the Rising which uses the benefit of hindsight
• an audio visual feature for tourists in an Irish museum

Storyboard

Now you need to decide which clips and sources you will actually use in your film / presentation. You also need to plan and write your script.

This storyboard (Word Doc) will help you to plan your film / presentation. You have to decide on the order of the clips and the commentary for each section. There are two extra rows in case you want to bring more material in from other clips. Check with your teacher before you do this. Click here to download storyboard template.

Now you are ready to make your film.