Part 1: Romeo and Juliet Act II Scene ii

“Balcony Scene” Film Adaptation Analysis

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.

Jurassic ParkForrest GumpShrekHarry Potter and the Sorcerer's StoneHow the Grinch Stole ChristmasJawsBatmanLord of the RingsMrs. DoubtfireThe Exorcist

Top Box Office Adaptations

2014 Film Adaptations

Gone GirlA Most Wanted ManThe Monuments MenThe GiverNoahDivergentThe Maze RunnerThe Fault in Our

StarsMockingjayLone Survivor

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.

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.

Effective Adaptations:Respect for sourceKnow what to bring to filmConsider pacing—how long to spend on

which scenesStrong actors/ characterizationFlair—camera angles, cinematic effects,

etc.

Consider: Films are their own works of art as both adaptation AND creation.

Elements of Adaptations to Consider in an Analysis

Characters◦Which shown?◦Desire/Motivation◦Obstacles

DialogueCostumes/PropsActionsThemesSettingSymbols

Film Adaptation Analysis Process

1. Brief review of Act I and Act II scene i

2. 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)

3. Watch Act II scene ii from Zeffirelli’s film/ take notes as needed

4. Analyze and evaluate film adaptation

Review: Previous ScenesACT 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

Film Adaptation Analysis Process

2. 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)

3. Watch Act II scene ii from Zeffirelli’s film/ take notes as needed

4. Analyze and evaluate film adaptation

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?

Part 2: Balcony Scene Analysis

Romeo + Juliet, Gnomeo and Juliet, Warm Bodies

Romeo + Juliet (1996)

Gnomeo and Juliet (2011)

Warm Bodies (2013)

Balcony Scene Comparison Part II

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)