17 Adapting a Short Story for the Screen
The next resource to explore is the published short story, a literary cousin to the oral tale. Choose one you could adapt as a thirty-minute film.
Assignment 17–1: Short Story Analysis
- Step 1: Make up a portfolio that includes:
- A photocopy of the story
- A cover sheet giving title, name of author, and place and year of publication
- Your adaptation of the story presented in scene outline
- Step 2: Describe briefly:
- What attracts you about the story
- Your interpretation of the story’s premise or ruling idea
- Its cinematic and dramatic strengths
- What you think its underlying meaning will be to an audience
- Step 3: Now describe:
- Who is the protagonist and who the antagonist (see sidebar)
- How the main character ...
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