Project 3: Adaptation

For this project, you will you be writing, shooting, and editing a short film adaptation. First, select one short scene to adapt; this can be a scene from any dramatic medium, play, movie, or TV.

Second, find the original script online and write an adaptation of it that makes major changes to the setting, characters, and style. For example, if you were adapting a scene from Back to the Future: Original Adaptation Setting: Small Midwestern town in 1985 and 1955 Setting: Inner city Chicago in 2015 and 1995 Characters: A mad scientist, a slacker teenager, two loser parents Characters: A child-prodigy hacktivist, a slacker college dropout, two loser parents Conflict: teenager goes back in time and must teach his future father to stand up for himself Conflict: dropout travels to the future and must teach the child-prodigy hacktivist to believe in himself again Style/Mode: Science fiction/comedy Style/Mode: Science fiction/musical

Third, shoot the newly adapted scene with your smartphones; each group member needs to appear on screen and say something. A few tips for shooting video: If the camera/phone is far away from the actors, then the actors need to shout. If you hear a lot of wind or background noise in the scene, you might need to film elsewhere. Landscape (holding the phone sideways) will get the best results. Practice your scene a few times before filming: make sure any important actions are easy to see. A mix between long, medium, and close-up shots are a good idea.

Finally, edit the scene together into a short film (2-4 minutes long). Tips for editing your movie: Start by putting each shot in order, then start “trimming” shots to get rid of extra time before and after the action/dialogue takes place Adding titles at the beginning and end is easy, but it may take a little time to figure out Adjust the volume of each audio clip to make sure there are no really loud or really quiet parts Add music, sound effects, dissolves, or special effects if you’re feeling fancy. Save your work every 15 minutes!

DUE Wednesday, May 31st Turn in the original script, the adapted script, and the final movie Each group member must appear and speak at least once You will be graded on adherence to the instructions, the quality of the literary choices made, and the general watchability of the final movie; I am not grading your acting, filming, or editing abilities I do not expect you to spend money on this project; everything can be done using phones you already own and free editing software; for Mac or PC, just google “free video editing software,” and you’ll find several good options