Can the film be better than the book ? Maybe it can. Our course will explore ten different films and how they each adapt their source material in literature. We will explore how the style and approach of a given film changes, adjusts and adheres to its source material. A number of our film / book subjects will be very well known and there is also space for lesser known titles to be included. If you enjoy discussing films and literature this might just be the course for you. The delivery of the course will be supported with resources that will be made available to students online via our Canvas online system. For each session, the tutor will provide a presentation that sets the scene for a given film and book and this will then be a starting point for class discussion. Excerpts from films and books will be provided and identified in advance of each session.
Course aim
This course explores the grand tradition of film adaptations of 'classic' literature. The course serves as an introduction to an expansive aspect of film history and film culture.
Do I need any particular skills or experience?
- This course is for beginners and improvers
By the end of the course I should be able to:
- Identify aspects of film style and technique.
- Discuss what the 'differences' are between literary storytelling and cinematic storytelling.
- Identify how themes and characters function on the page and on the screen.
- Discuss various film adaptations of a given piece of source material.
- Identify how both literature and film connects and relates to wider points in culture.
What else do I need to know?
The only expectation is that, as much as possible, students will access resources in advance of a given class so as to give them the opportunity to view and read material that will be explored more fully in a given session.
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