It almost seems clich to say the book was better than the movie! However, this common refrain points at a major topic in the world of pop cultureadaptation. Weve discussed quite a bit about pop culture this quarter, and this takes it to the next level: what happens when artifacts get ported from one genre to another?
This essay asks you to explore that question. You will take your book (loosely defined) and compare it for the major changes that take place in terms of theme, character, or storyline. What changes and why? Is it just a matter of so much to do and so little time (as was the case with the later Harry Potter films), or are there major changes that take place (as can be seen in the move from The Wizard of Oz to Wicked, or in the move from comic books to the big screen)?
In this essay, you will begin the body of the essay with a short summary of the artifact in question, its topics, major themes, and significant characters.
Next, examine the changes that take place from one genre to the other. Whats changed? If its merely structural (shortened/condensed, adapted for time, practical or filming limitations, etc.), delve into what those changes are and how they affect the story told. Is it as authentic as possible, or do structural changes potentially have as much impact as other kinds of changes?
If the changes, however, are more intrusive, what changes have taken place, and how do they change the story, its themes, or its characters? Whats the larger impact? Are they ones that had to happen in order to accomplish the goals of the new story, or are there other possible reasons the changes took place?
In either case (or both), consider whether or not the changes are beneficial, and discuss your perspective.
Finally, consider larger effects beyond the artifacts. Does adaptation such as what youre seeing in your artifact(s) help to open the story up to a larger audience? Does it help create a larger universe and expand the possible story/stories for creators and fans to play in? Can it be used to build connections with other artifacts? Or does it serve to narrow the conversation? Does it create controversy (consider casting decisions in Avatar: The Last Airbender as an example)? Does it derail theme, story, and/or character to the point that the new form is unrecognizable in comparison with the old?
