Directing Hamlet Assignment

Directing Hamlet Assignment

You are a film director. You are applying to be the director of a new version of Hamlet set to begin filming in 2013. After studying parts of several versions of Hamlet you have begun work on an application consisting of (1) a screenplay excerpt based on a passage you’ve chosen from the play, (2) a proposal explaining your choices (including proposed actors), and (3) a visual representation of some significant aspect of your screenplay excerpt.

Additional Notes

(1) screenplay excerpt:

Turn the excerpt you have chosen into a screenplay with interpolated film directions about elements such as setting, movement, speaking, facial expression, sound, music, camera shot selection, etc. Use the screenplay format. (See screenplay handouts.)

(2) proposal:

Write a proposal to the producers of Hamlet 2013. In your proposal the first paragraph will provide an overview of your vision for a new Hamlet (setting, visual style, acting contributing to effect and meaning), the second paragraph will explain the choices in your screenplay (How do the choices help you express meaning and achieve your purpose?), the third paragraph will explain choices in your visual representation (How do the choices help you express meaning and achieve your purpose?), the fourth paragraph will explain other choices (actors and soundtrack for example), conclude with a final pitch to the film producers.

(3) visual representation:

Your visual representation could be a storyboard¹, costume sketches, stage/film lighting scheme², stage/film blocking scheme³, live performance, demo film⁴. The visual representation will be assessed for choices, clarity, care, and creativity.

All of this is due by the end of the school day Friday, December 21.

1 A storyboard is a series of illustrations (or other images) used to depict a film (or other moving) sequence before the production of the actual film (or other moving sequence). Do some research for directions, examples, and advice.

2 A theatre/film lighting scheme is a plan for the use of lights (what type and color, where, and when) during a performance or during filming. Do some research for directions, examples, and advice.

3 A blocking scheme is a plan for the movement (where, when, and how) of actors during a performance. Do some research for directions examples and advice.

4 See me if you are interested in this option.