Macbeth Video News Project
Directions: Choose a scenario below or create an original scenario. All groups will submit a typed
script with dialogue and directions for all actors. All group members must have at least one speaking
part. Grades will be calculated using a rubric and a consideration of all available evidence.
The Video News Project requires opening credits, one commercial, and bloopers section that must
demonstrate video editing. The video must conclude as a news program or another conclusion must
be found.
News Story # 1: Witnesses Relate Macbeth’s Bloody Battle with Macdonwald
Read the Captain’s speech from Act 1, Scene 2 of Macbeth. Based on that scene, video an episode of SNN
(Scottish News Now). The Scotland War Correspondent describes the battle between the traitor, Macdonwald,
and the hero, Macbeth. What type of feeling does the reporter get from the situation? What people does the
reporter interview? Would it be only the bloody captain? Use quotes from the scene as if it were eyewitness
testimony. Interview soldiers or bystanders who saw or heard about Macbeth’s bold and bloody deeds like a
reporter on the scene at a news story.
News Story # 2: Scottish Nobles Deny Meeting with Witches
Read Act I, Scene iii of Macbeth. Based on that scene, plan and video a television news report as Scotland’s
Political Correspondent for the SNN (Shakespeare News Network) describing Macbeth and Banquo’s denial
that either of them conferred with witches after their battle at Forres. What type of feeling does the reporter
get from the situation? How would Macbeth react differently than Banquo about the situation? What about
what Ross and Angus witnessed? Would the witches have leaked any information to the press? Use quotes
from the scene as if it were eyewitness testimony. Interview Banquo and Macbeth as a reporter would
interview important people who are suspected of covering up a scandal.
News Story # 3: Traitor Executed, Eldest Son Named Successor to Scottish Throne
Read Act 1, Scene 4 of Macbeth. Based on that scene, plan and video a television news report as Scotland’s
Political Correspondent for the SNN (Shakespeare News Network) describing the Thane of Cawdor’s execution
and King Duncan’s announcement concerning his son Malcolm. What type of feeling does the reporter get
from the situation? What people does the reporter interview? Would it be Thane of Cawdor, King Duncan,
Malcolm, Macbeth? Use quotes from the scene for eyewitness testimony. Interview soldiers or bystanders
who saw or heard about Macbeth’s bold and bloody deeds like a reporter on the scene at a news story.
News Story # 4: Lady Macbeth Optimistic after Husband’s Promotion to Thane of Cawdor
Read Scenes 5 & 6 from Act 1 of Macbeth. Based on those scenes, plan and video a television news report as
Scotland’s Political Correspondent for the SNN (Shakespeare News Network) getting a reaction from Lady
Macbeth about her husband’s promotion to Thane of Cawdor and rumors about her husband interacting with
witches on a heath. What would Lady Macbeth admit to a reporter? How would she react to a reporter’s
questions about her husband? What types of questions would the reporter ask Lady Macbeth? What would
Lady Macbeth say about her husband’s future? What would she say about King Duncan staying as a guest at
Inverness? Use quotes from the scene as part of the interview.
News Story # 5: Newly Appointed Thane of Cawdor and Wife Looking Forward to Bright Future
Read Scene 7 from Act 1 of Macbeth. Based on this scenes, plan and video a television report as Scotland’s
Political Correspondent for the SNN (Shakespeare News Network) getting a reaction from Lady Macbeth and
Macbeth about being rulers of Cawdor. How would Macbeth show his torment between respect for King
Duncan and his own personal ambition? How would Lady Macbeth demonstrate that she dominates
Macbeth? What would Lady Macbeth admit about their future plans to a reporter? How would she react to a
reporter’s questions about her husband? What types of questions would the reporter ask Lady Macbeth?
What would Lady Macbeth say about her husband’s weaknesses and strengths? What would each of them say
about King Duncan? Use quotes from the scene as part of the interview
News Story # 6: Beloved King Duncan Expresses Concern over Recent Events
Read over events in Act I of Macbeth. Based on events in Act I, plan and video a television report as Scotland’s
Political Correspondent for the SNN (Shakespeare News Network) getting a reaction from King Duncan about
recent battles, treasonous acts, promotions, and his visit to Inverness. How would King Duncan describe the
treasonous Thane of Cawdor? What would he say about Macbeth’s heroic deeds in Forres? What would he say
about Macbeth’s personal character? What would she say about Lady Macbeth and visiting Inverness? Finally,
how would he react to the suggestion that some people believe Macbeth would be a better successor to the
throne than Malcolm, Prince of Cumberland? Use quotes from the play as part of the interview
News Story # 7: King’s Sons Allegedly Involved in the Assassination of King Duncan.
Read over events in Act II of Macbeth. Based on events in Act II, plan and video a television report as
Scotland’s Political Correspondent for the SNN (Shakespeare News Network) getting a reaction from the
nobles who were present at Inverness when King Duncan was killed. Ross discovered Duncan’s body in the
morning. Macbeth and Lennox were the next people to see the bloody attack. Macbeth killed the guards. Lady
Macbeth fainted. What would a reporter ask Macbeth and his wife about the security at the castle? What
would the nobles say about Malcolm and Donalbain fleeing Inverness? What would the nobles say about the
rule of Duncan? Who do they suggest as the next king of Scotland? What would Macbeth say that would show
his sadness and regret about Duncan’s assassination? What would Banquo and Macduff speculate about if
someone were to interview? Use quotes from the play as part of the interview
News Story # 8: Macduff, Banquo, and Scottish Thanes Discuss Recent Events in Scotland.
Read notes about events in Acts II and III of Macbeth. Based on events in Acts II and III, plan and video a
television report as Scotland’s Political Correspondent for the SNN (Shakespeare News Network) getting a
reaction from the nobles who have witnessed Maceth’s coronation, observed Macduff missing the coronation,
and noticed the disturbing natural occurrences throughout Scotland. What would a reporter ask about the
strange lack of sun in Scotland? What would the nobles say about screeching birds, strong winds, and
cannibalistic horses? Most importantly, what superstitions or suspicions would be offered by the thanes as a
cause for all these unnatural occurrences? Use quotes from the play as part of the interview.
News Story # 9: Man Claims that Macbeth Hired Him to Murder Banquo and Fleance.
Read over events in Act III, Scene ii and iii of Macbeth. Based on events in Act III, plan and video a television
report as Scotland’s Political Correspondent for the SNN (Shakespeare News Network) getting an inside
“scoop” about the recent disappearance Banquo and his son, Fleance. What if one of the murderers wanted to
expose Macbeth as evil? Would the reporter believe the murderer? Why would the murderer agree to killing
Banquo? Why would the king want to kill his close friend? What would the murderer say about Fleance? How
could the murderer prove that he was part of an attack? Would Macbeth allow such an interview to take
place? Use quotes from the play as part of the interview.
News Story # 10: Macbeth Holds VIP Banquet for All Scottish Thanes.
Read over events in Acts III, Scene iv of Macbeth. Based on events in Acts III, plan and video a television report
as Scotland’s Entertainment Channel. Since Macbeth’s banquet is the big social event of the year, reporters
are covering who is coming. What would the reporter say about a lowlife showing up at the Macbeth gala?
Does the murderer make a phone call instead of appearing at the banquet? If so, how does Macbeth respond
to the phone call? When Banquo and Macduff fail to attend the event, what do Lady Macbeth and Macbeth
say to the reporter? Once the event begins, how does the reporter explain Macbeth’s bizarre reaction to an
invisible guest? How does the reporter end the broadcast? Use quotes from the play as part of the interview.
News Story # 11: Video Evidence Reveals that Macbeth Met with Witches.
Read over events in Act IV, Scene i of Macbeth. Based on events in Act IV, Scene I plan and video a television
report as Scotland’s Political Correspondent for the SNN (Shakespeare News Network) getting an inside
“scoop” about the recently discovered evidence that Macbeth met with witches to get advice about the
future. A reporter heard from an inside source about Macbeth’s plan to visit the witches. He follows with the
camera and records footage of Macbeth interacting with the witches Before the reporter can escape, he is
discovered by either Macbeth or the witches. Renact the witches’ magic. How do Macbeth and Lady Macbeth
respond to the accusation of consorting with evil witches? Use quotes from the play as part of the interview.
News Story # 12: Underground Scottish Resistence Uncovers Macbeth’s Atrocities
Read over events in Act IV, Scene ii of Macbeth. Based on events in Act IV, Scene ii plan and write a webcast
as Scottish Resistance Fighters display footage or find an eyewitness to the Macduff family slaughter.. Citizens
are unable to hear any news except for Macbeth’s propaganda. The resistance releases a webcast that
exposes Macbeth’s regime and its various atrocities such as the slaughter of Macduff’s innocent family. What
evidence would be available to prove Macbeth ordered the Macduff slaughter? How did anyone survive the
attack? What other evil acts has Macbeth committed according to Ross or Lennox? Use quotes from the play
as part of the interview.
News Story # 13: Rightful Scottish King Releases Video Promising an Heroic Return
Read over the dialogue in Act IV, Scene iii of Macbeth. Based on what Malcolm and Macduff discuss in Act IV,
Scene iii plan and write a webcast as the solo Malcolm or Malcolm and Macduff together. To give Scottish
citizens hope, Malcolm and Macduff release a video attempting to inspire Scottish citizens to prepare
themselves for their imminent return. Include what they discussed in Scene iii. What happened to Macduff’s
family? What lies did Macbeth spread about Malcolm? What did Malcolm and Macduff learn about each
other? Why are they more likely to win now than ever before? (If anyone is working alone, this News Story is
ideal. Costume change and a web cam or a smart phone transforms you from Malcolm to Macduff)
News Story # 14: Macbeth Claims He is Unbeatable
Read over the Macbeth’s statements in Act V of Macbeth. Based on Macbeth’s words, we can see he is
overconfident. A nervous reporter experiences an intimidating King who is unwilling to see that he is headed
toward his doom. Macbeth responds angrily to all questions about weaknesses. What about the English force
that outnumbers his own? What about all the people who have abandoned him? What about reports of
Birnam Woods moving toward the castle? What about the rumors concerning Lady Macbeth’s deteriorating
mental health of Lady Macbeth? (If anyone is working alone, this News Story is ideal. Costume change and a
web cam or a smart phone transforms you from Malcolm to Macduff)