CINE 787 Adapting Literature to Film

This study examines the process of adapting literature into feature films. Students will watch several adaptations and read the underlying literary work to understand and evaluate the transformation from page to screen. Each student will choose a piece of literature and write a short film adaptation script in appropriate screenplay format.

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.

Adapting intellectual properties is the primary method in which films are green lit. The skill of adaption is a necessary skillset to be a successful screenwriter in the industry.

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

No details available.

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions (4)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to provide a thread in response to the provided prompt for each Discussion. Each thread must be 200 words and demonstrate course-related knowledge. In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to 2 other classmates’ threads. Each reply must be 100 words. (CLO: A, D, G)

Short Story Adaptation Assignment

The student will use a short story he/she wrote previously in another class, forum, or in the past. This will be adapted into a TV teleplay or a short screenplay of 4–10 formatted pages. Source material must be included in submission. (CLO: A, B, D, E, F)

After screening Star Wars: Episode IV: A New Hope, the student will fill out the provided template and identify 8 character functions. The student will list the character name next to the function and a reason why he/she believes the character function to be true. 1-2 sentences is sufficient for each function. (CLO: C, G)

Critical Analysis Assignment

The student will read the provided source material and screen the film of an adapted project. He/she will write a critical analysis of adaptation from the property’s original form to its screen version and incorporate discussion of the spirit and character transfer. The paper must be at least 600 words and in current MLA format. (CLO: C, F, G)

After screening The Fugitive, the student will fill out the provided template and identify and describe the beat and notate the approximate minute it took place in the film. 

Final Adaptation Project Assignment

The student will adapt a project on a given set of parameters, which will be a short feature, the beginning of a full length feature, or TV pilot. The script should have evidence of conversion of internal tension to external tension and the development of character, assignment of functions, and a clear three act structure. The project must be 10-15 properly formatted pages, and source material should accompany the submission. (CLO: A, B, C, D, E, F)

The student will write a paper reflecting on 2 aspects of the course: (1) what he/she found most interesting in the adaptation process and (2) what he/she did not know that surprised him/her the most in the process. The paper must be at least 300 words and be in current MLA format

Quizzes (2)

Each quiz will cover the Learn material for the assigned module. Each quiz will be open-book/open notes, contain 10 true/false questions, allow 1 attempt, and have a 1-hour time limit. (CLO: A, D, E, F, G)

The Quiz: Final Assessment covers the Learn/Textbook material from the course, contains 15 true/false questions, has a 2-hour time limit, and allows 1 attempt.