Extra Credit: Modern Drama

Task: Imagine that you are the author of the play you have chosen to read. You’re hanging out in the great here-after and get word that someone has made a film of your masterpiece. You watch the film and have some important thoughts to share with director. You will write a letter as if you are Williams, Hansberry, Wilde, or Miller to the director of an adaptation of his/her work. In your letter, you are to do three of the following from the perspective of the playwright:

-          Describe any significant differences between the setting and/or time period in the play and the film. Do they change the story in an important way? How do you feel about this?

-          How well do the characters in the film reflect what you’ve presented in the text in terms of personality, appearance, action, and dialogue?  How do you feel about this interpretation of the primary characters?

-          You intentionally write this play to reveal social issues that you found to be disturbing and wrong. Describe the issues you addressed through the play. How well does the film preserve your social commentary?

-          Horace, a Greek philosopher, believed that literature and art should teach and delight; you agree and successfully done this in your play. Does the film maintain both the power to teach and delight the viewer?

-          You demand that a new film of your work be produced. Recommend a cast for the main characters, a director, a style of film (animation, Lego, black and white, soap opera, sit com, etc.), a theme song (with references to lyrics that make this a relevant choice), or another key directorial decision. (Pick three of these options.)

Your writing should be in a business letter format (which is good to know for communication with colleges and scholarship-related organizations), should identify which film adaptation you’re commenting on (title, director, release year), and must be specific and well developed. This assignment is due any time between now and January 30^th. You may turn in a handwritten or typed paper; this assignment can replace your lowest quiz grade.