1. Part 1: Romeo and Juliet Act II Scene ii
Image:
“Balcony Scene” Film Adaptation Analysis

2. Activate Your Thoughts!
Literary Adaptation is the act of adapting a literary work (novel, story, play, etc.) to another genre/medium (video game, film, play, etc.).
Think of a book you’ve read that has been adapted into a film.
Would you say the film was an effective/ successful adaptation of that book?
Why or why not? Give specific details.
Definition:

3. Top Box Office Adaptations
Jurassic Park
Forrest Gump
Shrek
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Jaws
Batman
Lord of the Rings
Mrs. Doubtfire
The Exorcist
Source:
Jurassic Park Image:
Harry Potter Image:

4. 2014 Film Adaptations Gone Girl A Most Wanted Man The Monuments Men
The Giver
Noah
Divergent
The Maze Runner
The Fault in Our Stars
Mockingjay
Lone Survivor
TFIOS Image:

5. Your Opinion
If you could write three rules for the adaptation of a literary source to film, what would they be? Be prepared to explain your reasoning.
Follow-up Question: What qualities “should” a literary film adaptation have?

6. Literary Adaptation Types
Literal: A film adaptation in which the dialogue and the actions are preserved more or less intact.
Faithful: A film adaptation based on a literary or other original source which captures the essence of the original, often by using cinematic equivalents for specific literary techniques.
Loose: A film adaptation in which only a superficial resemblance exists to the original source.
Source:

7. Effective Adaptations:
Respect for source
Know what to bring to film
Consider pacing—how long to spend on which scenes
Strong actors/ characterization
Flair—camera angles, cinematic effects, etc.
Consider: Films are their own works of art as both adaptation AND creation.

8. Elements of Adaptations to Consider in an Analysis
Characters
Which shown?
Desire/Motivation
Obstacles
Dialogue
Costumes/Props
Actions
Themes
Setting
Symbols
Luhrmann version:
Zeffirelli version:

9. Lurhmann Guys: http://katedoran1991. files. wordpress
Zeffirelli Guys:
Luhrmann Juliet:
Zeffirelli Juliet:

10. Film Adaptation Analysis Process
Brief review of Act I and Act II scene i
Read along with audio of Act II scene ii and highlight key parts: Audio Link
Chat briefly about major points of scene (consider characters, conflicts, theme)
Watch Act II scene ii from Zeffirelli’s film/ take notes as needed
Analyze and evaluate film adaptation
Audio: 2:33-11:13
Film: (40:15-46:37; 46:55-48:10; 48:33-51:40)

11. Review: Previous Scenes
ACT I
Scene i: Capulets and Montagues fight
Prince decrees death for more fighting
Romeo in love with Rosaline (doesn’t love him)
Scene ii: Capulet lets Paris court daughter (Juliet)
Romeo invited to party at Capulet’s house (by accident)
Scene iii: Juliet supposed to see if she likes Paris at party
Scene iv: Romeo on way to party—tells friends had nightmare that party would end in his death
Scene v: Romeo and Juliet meet at party and kiss—soon they discover identity of each other by Nurse (she didn’t see them kiss)
ACT II
Scene i: Romeo jumps into Capulet orchard to escape mockery of friends

12. Film Adaptation Analysis Process
Read along with audio of Act II scene ii and highlight key parts: Audio Link
Chat briefly about major points of scene (consider characters, conflicts, theme)
Watch Act II scene ii from Zeffirelli’s film/ take notes as needed
Analyze and evaluate film adaptation
Audio: 2:33-11:13
Film: (40:15-46:37; 46:55-48:10; 48:33-51:40)

13. Film Adaptation Analysis & Evaluation
How are the characters costumed and made-up? What does their clothing or makeup reveal about their social standing, ethnicity, nationality, gender, or age? How do costume and makeup convey character?
What is illuminated, what is in the shadow? How does the lighting scheme shape our perception of character, space, or mood?
How is dialogue and silence used in the film?
What did the film emphasize from the text?
Does the adaptation capture the novel’s formal elements: the theme, characterization, style, tone, and plot of the novel?
Is the adaptation literal, faithful, or loose?
Is this film version effective? Why or why not?

14. Part 2: Balcony Scene Analysis
Romeo + Juliet, Gnomeo and Juliet, Warm Bodies

15. Romeo + Juliet (1996)
DVD: 38:07-42:26; 43:10-44:26; 45:15-47:40

16. Gnomeo and Juliet (2011)
24:26-29:02

17. Warm Bodies (2013)

18. Balcony Scene Comparison Part II Emphasized from Original Source
NAME:
Romeo + Juliet (Luhrmann, 1996)
Gnomeo and Juliet (Asbury, 2011)
Warm Bodies (Levine, 2013)
Emphasized from Original Source
Director’s Creation
(Changed or Added Components)
Type of Adaptation (Literal, Faithful, Loose)