Soundtrack / Playlist

Transcription

1 Soundtrack / Playlist There are a couple of ways to do this, and the choice is entirely yours. In fact, consider these guidelines rather than regulations. If your approach is a little different, that s fine, as long as the objectives of the project are still met. The Basics: Create a song playlist or soundtrack for your book. Provide me with a rationale for your selections. The rationale should explain the logic behind each song selected, including an explanation of its thematic relationship to the book or character(s). You might select one song for each chapter or section of your book, a few songs for each main character, or whatever construction makes the most sense for your novel. Sample Entry: Work: The Odyssey Character: Odysseus/Penelope Song: Can t Find My Way Home by Blind Faith Key Lyric(s): I m near the end and I just ain t got the time/but oh/i can t find my way home ; You are the reason I ve been waiting all these years Rationale: As the title probably gives away, Can t Find My Way Home captures the sense of longing that both Odysseus and Penelope must endure during Odysseus years-long trek home to Ithaca. The song s tone is almost elegaic, which fits perfectly with the mournful attitude both characters adopt as their story progresses. The rationale is not simply a recitation of plot points, but a commentary on the thematic relationship between the selected song and the novel s themes and character.

2 Recorded Monologue The Basics: Write or prepare notes for and then record, either on audio or video a monologue delivered in character on a contemporary topic (think news story or current event) thematically related to the novel you ve selected. The monologue has two real goals. 1. Demonstrate your grasp of the selected character s point of view, attitudes, perceptions, strengths, and flaws. Consider the ways in which the author offers insight into and characterizes your selection. 2. Demonstrate the relationship between one of your selected novel s significant themes and a real-world event. Obviously, this means that you have evaluated your novel to determine the author s views on a given Universal Idea and are able to analyze some of the ways in which he or she makes those views apparent. Consider their tone, and the ideological purpose of the novel. What truth is it meant to reveal? Example: Deliver the monologue as Huck Finn offering commentary on the Donald Sterling.

3 Visual Art The Basics: This project requires you to produce a work of visual art (drawing, painting, poster, sculpture, etc.) and write a brief rationale ( words) that demonstrates your grasp of one of your selected novel s major themes. Please make sure that your piece accomplishes that goal and does not simply replicate a character or a scene from the book. I would offer some examples, but I think it best for you to trust your creativity and, if you have any questions, let me know. If you have a couple of ideas and would like to pitch them to me to determine which would work best, please do. Consult the rubric for more detailed criteria.

4 Rewrite the Ending The Basics: For this assignment, you will rewrite the final five pages (for the purposes of this assignment, we ll say between words) of your selected novel. The new ending should fit thematically with what has already happened over the course of your selected book, but major events and even the fates of characters may be altered. You should do your best to replicate the style of your selected novel s author and use the devices of fiction (dialogue, description, narration) to make it fit with what has come before. In addition to the rewritten ending, please include a brief rationale explaining the changes you made and how those may have impacted the novel s meaning. For example, if you choose to kill a character who, in the actual novel, is saved from death at the last minute, how would that change the novel s major theme(s)? Consult the rubric for more detailed criteria.

5 Film Pitch The Basics: When a film is produced, it must be cast, created, and promoted. This assignment allows you to do everything but actually make a motion picture. You have some options, but your pitch might include the following: An annotated cast list cast the major roles in the film version of your book (if a filmed version already exists, try to differentiate yours) and offer brief rationales as to why those actors and actresses fit the bill. What other roles have they performed that make them good choices? What would they bring to a portrayal of the character? A promotional poster promotional art should catch a viewer s attention and make them want to see the movie. Take a look at posters for movies in similar genres to get ideas, but please remember that your poster should convey your grasp of the novel s major theme(s). A few scripted pages select a significant scene from your novel and write it as a film script. You ll likely need to look up sample film scripts to get a sense of what information to include and how to format. The goal should be to re-work what s on the page to make sense on screen. Can dialogue be cut? How will you show on screen what is told on the page? If you have a good idea for other ways to illustrate your understanding of your novel s themes and characters consistent with a film version s production, pitch them to me and we can decide whether they fit well within the parameters of this assignment.