Othello –WF 2011
PART 1: INTRODUCTION
Choose ONE strategy for “opening up a play” from the textbook (setting,
sound, etc) that appeals to you (SEE PAGES 165-72 in textbook for
descriptions of each):
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Filming settings only suggested in the drama
Visualizing scenes only mentioned or implied in the drama
Dramatizing characters only mentioned or implied in the drama
Visualizing literary symbols or motifs
Using the camera and editing to move the story into cinema time and space
Muting or erasing act divisions
Adding music
Briefly, and in your own words, explain what that strategy consists of (what it
is). This is your introduction.
PART 2: COMPARISON OF 2 ADAPTATIONS OF OTHELLO (ACT III
ONLY)
You must use the Parker (Branagh/Fishburne) Othello as one of your films, and
may choose either the Olivier or the Welles Othello as your second (but the
choice must be relevant to whatever strategy you selected in part 1—if there is
no soundtrack in Olivier you cannot work with “adding music”).
Be sure to include the following, for each of the two films (so 2 times):
 How does the film “open out the play” by using this device?
 What are the specifics of that device in the film?
 How does each one enhance the specific scene in which we see/hear the
device?
OPTIONAL EXTRA FOR CREDIT:
Repeat the checklist for O (2001)—the portions that correspond with Act III.
PART 3: CONCLUSION
Based on the comparison you have made, what conclusions can you draw
about the degree of openness of each film you discussed (see textbook pages
172-80 for this information).