The final project for our exploration of the novel
This is your chance to bring the novel to life and make it yours!
Phase One: Film
Treatment or Promptbook
Film Treatment:
Write an outline of the film you will be creating. As we discussed earlier a film treatment should include:
1) Sound – music, sound effects, volume (what are we hearing, is it loud, is it soft)
2) Lighting (is it bright or dim, are certain people or objects illuminated)
3) Characters (who do we see, what are they doing)
4) Dialogue (what are they saying)
5) Images (are there any special images you want to show for thematic reasons)
Take your time to make this treatment as detailed as possible. As you shoot the film you may find that you will need to revise the treatment as you come up with new ideas during filming. This is your interpretation of the novel so pay special attention to the themes and images you want to use to reflect your understanding of the novel.
Promptbook:
The promptbook will involve a two step process. First you will have to adapt the novel to a script based on your interpretation. You may use the dialogue as it appears in the novel or rewrite it or change the order around depending on your interpretation of the novel. After you come up with the dialogue for your performance you need to block out the stage directions, lighting, and sound in the margins of the text. This can be accomplished by using a column format and type up the dialogue on one side of the page and then the stage directions on the opposite column or by printing a copy of the script with wide margins and then neatly writing in the stage directions in the margins. If you choose the second option please write NEATLY so I can read.
You will be given two days of class time to complete this portion of the project.
Phase II:
Performance
This is your performance! You will be given two days to rehearse/film and edit during class time to prepare for this performance, but you are welcome to use additional time out of class to ensure that your performance is stellar. Remember that I will be looking to see that you understood the novel so be sure to align your performance with an interpretation of the novel and then pay attention to detail in crafting your performances.
Phase III: Reflection
As closure to the project each individual student will write a 3-4 page reflection on the process of adapting the novel to performance. This reflection should include the following elements:
1) Describe the process of adapting the novel first to a promptbook/treatment and then to a performance
2) What was your understanding of the novel at the beginning of the project?
3) In what ways did adapting the novel enhance your understanding of the novel?
4) How did the actual performing of the novel enhance your experience of the novel?
5) Compare writing a paper to adapting a novel to interpretation: which do you think gives you more insight into the novel and why?
6) Anything else about the experience you felt was important or enlightening!
This is a group project so Phase I and Phase II will each be graded as a group project. Phase III requires every student to hand in their own assignment so everyone will be graded individually on Phase III. The three phases will all be weighted equally:
Phase I: 33.3%
Phase II: 33.3%
Phase III: 33.3%