Appreciation of Literature and Film 2

by Harrison Hayes

My Flamboyant Grandson was set in 2002 in New York one change I would make to make it more of an interesting story and compare it to the original story would be to make it set in 2023. I think having the grandson being Flamboyant in 2023 would change the story drastically, first thing would be the Grandfather. I think the Grandfather would have a different look at his grandson, I believe that he wouldn’t pray to god and have thoughts of him not being “safe” in the world acting the way he does. I also think that it could go either way of him having an opinion on him wearing his grandmother’s scarves, I think he would have mixed feelings but it definitely wouldn’t worry him as much I believe. Secondly, I think the way the grandson grew up would be different, going through school I do not believe he would be bullied at all, I think his life growing up would be a lot more positive and have a different impact on his future. I think the grandson would be more open and fall into a comfortable position with his personality. I believe that is a big switch to the story because it lets the reader see what the grandson could have been and what his personality would be like. I also think that instead of the grandfather wanting to do something for him, the grandson takes the grandfather to a play like they went to. The grandson would want to show the grandfather the side of this personality that he let him become, I think he would offer to take him to the play and they go on a completely different route having a good time with no problems. This is one of the main reasons I picked this story this switch shows the difference between the times, it shows that he is so much more comfortable with his lifestyle and he wants to have the person who has been supporting him all his life that he appreciates him. Now with making a film, I would keep it pretty simple but I would start with the grandson taking the grandfather to the play, and throughout them walking to the play they would begin talking about the past. While they were doing that I would have flashbacks of the grandson going to school, and the moments where he wore the scarf. This would show moments leading up to them going to the play and give a good backstory in comparison to what the original film would be with the somewhat sad backstory as to why they are having certain conversations and what their relationship is like. I think for the theme I would have the flashbacks in some sort of an older theme like what they would use in the 2000s which with the change is around the time the grandson would have been born. For the scenes where they are heading to the play, I would have a normal font and just use a camera. The ending would pan to the grandson and grandfather sitting down as the play starts and the curtains roll, I think this is a perfect ending to this story having it being a happy ending and just an overall happy story. 

By Benjamin Roberts

For this adaptation, I chose to make the story Nipple Jesus by Nick Hornby into a real film. The film would begin before the story does, maybe as he was still working at the club where the main character Dave is a bouncer, to give a little more background and time for Dave to introduce himself to us as the audience. The original story mentions how Dave got the job at the art museum because he promised Lisa, his wife, that he would give up the late-night work he was doing. To give the story more of a hook, the film version of this story would begin in the midst of an argument between Dave and his wife, and the film would exaggerate how much time his work is taking away from not just his relationship with his wife, but also with his kids. Dave would still have his negative (but in my opinion, funny) personality throughout the story, and the next day, he would be at the job’s initiation, as the story originally begins. Throughout the story, Dave will have illusions back to the bouncing job at the club, since he will grow to miss it. This is of course, before the installation of the Nipple Jesus work by Martha Marsham, the artist in the story. One of the major changes I would make to the story would be how Dave interprets the work from the start. I think it would be an interesting spin if Dave liked the work of art he was assigned to from the get-go, given his very egotistical and apparent negative outlook on life and the things around him. I think this would be a good surprise for the audience given Dave’s stature and attitude. Because of this, his appreciation of the work by the time the main event happens would be much stronger, and he would be affected more if anything were to happen to it.

The main thing that I think would really sell this story as a movie and add a more dramatic plot would be at the time when Dave escorts one of the protestors out of the building when the rest of the people still at the exhibit destroyed the work of art. I think as a good plot twist, Dave would’ve never ended up escorting the man out and instead, he always stood his ground and was in turn overcome by the entire crowd who destroyed the painting in front of his eyes. Since, as we know, Dave actually gained an appreciation for Marsham’s work by the time it was destroyed, and I think if he had to go through being trampled over at his job by possibly tens of people, the ending scene of him and the artist would have been a lot more dramatic and fueled with anger, more than it was in the original story. After this event occurs in the film, another element that could add to the plot is that after the museum closes, Dave could stay after hours to obtain the footage recorded by the camera and destroy it, as a form of revenge against the artist, since, based on his character, this seems like something Dave would definitely think of doing. I feel like Dave wanted to unleash his anger at the end of the story, and he didn’t really get to do this, so this can be his outlet for releasing this anger. The film could also end at a very tense moment for the two (as films or shows tend to do) to get the audience hooked for a ‘Part 2.’

In terms of filming and soundtracks, I feel like treating the character of Dave and his scenario as a whole like a comedy would be entertaining, and obviously having him as the center of attention. I think it would be a cool element to add flashbacks to his previous job or add foreshadowing to events (like the stealing of the recording) that he could draw up in his mind would add to this comedic effect. I think treating the film as if his life was constantly negative and emphasizing his verbiage in conversations would really tie together the film. I think a soundtrack containing mischievous songs along with some over-exaggerated sad songs would give the film some more character as well. The narration, if there were to be any, would be Dave talking to us as the audience in moments of thought, or any other similar times throughout the film. I think these plot changes and new direction on how the story ends up would combine together to make a pretty entertaining film to go and see!

I believe “Road Virus Heads North”, by Stephen King, would be perfect for an on-screen adaptation of his work. It’s a thriller of a short story and with suspense already tapped in through the visual imagery of the killer is already heart pounding with each sentence. So, in that case barring a good screenplay as long as you abide by the source material it is sure to be a hit. Otherwise, I hope the director’s name is Stanley Kubrick, because he is the only one, I know to adapt one Stephen King’s stories, completely ignore him and still making a certified classic. The only thing I would change about it personally is maybe giving the main character a reactionary type character. This in order for the main character to play off of someone else so that you don’t have do monologuing to get into the person’s head. Having a wife or friend as a companion to contradict the character helps accomplish the same goal as it did in the original story. Because, in the original story the characters discourse all resides in the main characters train of thought which doesn’t help for on screen adaptations all that well. I won’t lie to you in saying I absolutely adore hearing in ‘Shaw Shank Redemption’ anytime that Morgan Freeman’s character in the movie, whose name is Red, does voice over throughout the course of the film. But it is a overused and poorly utilized art form that does not positively impact for a thriller film. If somebody is terrified, I don’t want nor to need to be informed that through a God mike type of mechanism in the story. It should be shown not told, that’s more effective storytelling and if written and acted well it gives more people to be able to be cared about. For the movie I would use a lot of profile type of shots for reactions to the seeing of the painting and series of shots zooming in on the painting in how it depicts every creepy detail within the canvas of the homicidal murderer. But anytime when the couple is in the car, I would want more of the scenes to be filmed in the back seat of the car almost like they’re being watched or out of the passenger side windows. Never through the front of the windshield like a comedy or tv show. Angles in which it grounds the situation of the threat in the movie making it more visceral. The only scene I have fully mapped out is the final scene in which are character falls on the ground and bonks his head unable to move from the shower. Once head is bonked the camera shot on him will be with a fish eyed lens to give off that disorienting feeling. Then when switched to a fixed Dutch angle pointed at the doorway as the killer walks in. This is from the perspective of the main character who is about to be murdered. It’s fixed in that way in order to give off a sense of being stuck in that disorienting feeling, unable to move or escape from your fate. The bulk of the dialogue will be shared between the two leads and any side characters like the yard sale lady and the grandma will have couple of lines. Most from the story will be cut from the story because not all of them are needed in order to tell it. Live action would be preferred, and you definitely don’t need a huge budget. Most of the funds for production might be spent on just making a bunch of those paintings as described in the story. That is all.

By Macie Harkovich

       The short story that I would adapt into film would be “Everyday Use,” by Alice Walker. The story is told from the perspective of the mother and in doing this, the tone of the story is influenced by her feelings and thoughts. The one thing that was missing for me was multiple perspectives. So if I were to create a film of this story, I would add the perspective of Dee (Wangero) to contrast that of her mother. 

       For instance, at the beginning of the story, the mother feels resentment towards Dee after she goes to school and comes back. As Dee fills in Maggie and the mother about everything she has learned, and the mother saw this as condescending, which was reflected through her narration. I really do think that Dee is just excited to share with her family. 

      Another point in which a shift in perspective would be good was near the end of the story: when the mother and Dee are looking at the quilts and ends up refusing to give them to Dee and instead intends to give them to Maggie who will use them for “everyday use.” In contrast, Dee would instead hang them due their pricelessness and as a way to honor her heritage. I feel like hearing this in the film through Dee’s narration would make the viewer understand and sympathize with Dee; I don’t think she has any ill-intentions, but has just become educated on her heritage and wants to preserve and honor the quilts as an art form. 

      In this story, I understand that Wangero is so ahead of time, and the mother sort of paints her as a villain, or someone who’s gone rogue from her family. But, in actuality, Dee had the courage to leave home and discover her identity. As a reader, we really lack her perspective.

      One film that I can think of that was also a book, which switched perspectives in both works of art was “Wonder.” It shifted from a couple perspectives of the main characters, which I really enjoyed; it really allowed me to understand why characters did what they did and why they felt a certain way throughout the film and the book. 

I would really like the film to have outside narration, as if each character is narrating to the audience. Along similar lines, I think it would be good to include flashbacks of Dee’s childhood before and after she goes away to school. I just feel like Dee has become alienated in her own family as a child and would like to see a flashback of this. Maybe she could even explain as a child the vision she has for herself, since the mother says that she dressed differently and had a certain lifestyle that she strived for.  

As for other adaptation decisions, I would definitely do live-action, as animation would not quite bring the film to life in that way it should be. As for possible actors, I would have Zendaya play Dee. I see Dee as this fierce, stubborn-minded woman, and I feel like Zendaya would be able to embody that spirit.

By: Margaret Stapleton

I believe that “The Picasso Summer” by Ray Bradbury would make for a good movie, with a couple of adaptations. In Bradbury’s version George Smith is a huge fan of artwork, specifically Picasso, he tells his wife how badly he wants to own one of his pieces. In the movie I would rewrite George in a way that he isn’t actually an art or Picasso fanatic. He would simply know art but it would not be his life’s passion. 

In the movie adaptation I want to change the relationship that George has with art. This will cause a completely different reaction from him when he sees Picasso and his painting. Rather than being impressed, I think George will have a crazy fan reaction and want to get as many pictures as possible however, he doesn’t have his camera. This will mean that he has to go back upstairs to grab it, however when he comes back down he is disappointed to see that the art piece that Picasso was working on was not only finished but had already started washing away with the tide. This means that he wasn’t able to get any pictures of the artwork or with Picasso. However, rather than being upset about not getting to enjoy the art, George is more upset that he can’t brag to his friends and family about Picasso. 

While filming I would be careful about the camera angles. Starting with George walking down the beach, I would be following him from behind, making sure to get the whole beach in the frame. While George approaches Picasso I would get closer to George’s back and eventually circle around him and show Picasso’s hand holding the popsicle stick and drawing in the sand. I would be very careful only to show Picasso’s hands or legs and fully avoid his body, head, and face. I believe that this would add to the mysteriousness that he has especially from George not being successful in documenting this moment. When George decides to run up into his room to grab the camera, I would have the music change into something intense and suspenseful. Then, George would get into his room and not be able to find the camera, this would lead to him and his wife fighting however, we would only see their mouths move and body language, we wouldn’t actually know what they were saying. While George was in the room the cameras would cut back to the beach, here, Picasso would be setting down the popsicle stick and walking away, never looking back. Then the camera would cut back to George and Alice, following the two of them running back down to the beach, this would be done from an above angle. Finally, when the two got back to the beach Picasso would be gone and the piece of art would only be half finished, already washing away in the tide making George very sad and even a little bit angry. 

This adaptation would lead to a very different ending than the original story.At the end of Bradbury’s version George was very content with his experience at the beach, because he actually cared about Picasso and the art. In my adaptation George didn’t care about either and it made him angry and bitter.