Select a few of Shakespeare plays that have been adapted in films and analyse them. What can film techniques bring to the plays? How does it change our relationships to characters? The story? Are there elements that can only be efficient on stage? What do actors who do both (David Tennant, Kenneth Branagh, Ian McKellen etc…) say about the difference between performing Shakespeare on stage and in front of a camera?
Wow, there's a lot here to talk about! I love this topic and am excited to see it. Paring this down into specifics would be easier to write about. For example, Branagh is probably the most prolific in bringing Shakespeare to film, so it might be interesting to choose just one of his film adaptations and write at length about what it brings to (or detracts from) the play. Most directors these days set Shakespeare in different time periods; how does Branagh's version of Hamlet, for example, set a tone that may be different from a displaced staged version? – Katheryn9 years ago
A very interesting concept and will make a great article. There are certainly many things you propose to be discussed here. I think first of all the title should reflect that you are trying to do a comparison or discuss both Film and on stage plays. In addition, it will be beneficial to narrow down the discussion to a degree as it might result in a very long article that would not have coherency and a good flow. Compare and contrast topics are very interesting read and fun to do, but if there are too many elements, the article becomes difficult to follow. – Arazoo Ferozan9 years ago
BBC's Hollow Crown trilogy would be a good adaptation to explore (even though it's a mini-series) as many of the actors in it also did stage work. The recent Macbeth (2015) film would interesting as well given how pared down it was--mostly striking visuals and score, but very little of the play's actual lines. A question, maybe, of conveying atmosphere and tone vs. faithfully sticking to the original. – Tiffany9 years ago
As others have noted, there is a lot to explore/discuss here. There are numerous adaptations of Shakespeare's plays that can lend important insight to your piece - especially if you're thinking about it in a global context. How do adaptations outside of the English language come closer to or further from the original? How do certain cultural or community specific values (i.e. arranged marriages in certain cultures) impact an adaptation's depiction or love, duty, remorse, etc. Maqbool (2004) is an awesome example of some of these questions and issues. If you're thinking of expanding to a more global context that is a great place to start! – GemMarr8 years ago
This is a very broad topic, maybe stick to one popular and well adapted Shakespeare play. Also keep in mind the historical context of live action plays: they were supposed to engage the audience to get involved, for example the well known fact that audiences used to throw tomatoes at actors. But the audience could also contribute real time opinions and feelings to a play, even help improvise lines. Audience participation is something film adaptations lack. I'm not sure if you have studied more modern plays, like Beckett or Susan Lori-Parks, but the trend of post modern plays is to implicate the audience and make us feel culpable. I know this might be going off track, but it would be an interesting research. Good luck! – Rayna8 years ago
Although there are cartoons like Steven Universe and Adventure Time that implicitly show homosexual relationships, or have an "out" where the characters have no gender, why do children's cartoon networks still have a stigma towards letting cartoons directly address the LGBTQ community?
I think the big question is are we ready to show the LGBTQ community to children? There is still a lot of homophobia and not enough education about the community in many areas. I think networks are trying to slowly integrate LGBTQ characters so that children aren't thrown something they don't understand. – LaRose8 years ago
I would love to see the LBGTQ community represented in a Disney cartoon. I think the critical mass standard has been reached. I agree! – elwilson8 years ago
Many networks are still uneasy about showing openly queer characters. I'm always surprised that the biggest strides that seem to have been made have been made in cartoons aimed at children. On the one hand, it makes sense given children are more accepting and open-minded than many adults. On the other hand, there's always the "are we ready to show the LGBTQ community to children" question that LaRose brings up. I think networks are still in favour of not rocking the boat too much, which is too bad. – Amanda8 years ago
I think you would need to likely address the shortcoming that do come in AD and SU as well – Darcy Griffin8 years ago
I think part of it is that, due to homophobia, queerness is still considered by some to be inherently more sexual than heterosexuality, and therefore less appropriate for children. Including LGBTQ characters in children's shows could help dispel that myth, but unfortunately the myth itself is a barrier to such representation. – ElijahBassett8 years ago
Part of many networks' reasoning for not including LGBTQ+ characters is the fact that their shows air in many countries, many of which don't allow that sort of content to be broadcast(ie russia, china, etc) – ealohr8 years ago
What is the root of the "return to vinyl"? Is it a fetish? Is it simply a bleary-eyed, melancholic yearning for a past that never existed? When vinyl audiophiles stoutly proclaim the "superiority" of the sound, the eyebrows of many audiologists raise in direct opposition to the idea. So, is the rebirth of vinyl simply a fetish in the midst of non-material digital downloads, or is it a longing for a different experience of engaging with recorded music, an experience steeped in romantic notions of the past?
Personally, I buy vinyl because, if I am to purchase music nowadays, I want something tangible that I can hold, look at, and talk about. There's no connection beyond a click and a drag with digital files, and forming one requires, generally, investment in the music beyond simply purchasing (favourite artist, writing about it, etc.). Having a vinyl, taking it out of the sleeve, spinning it and meeting with the needle are all, albeit minute, ways to get to know the record, and that's invaluable. – thomasjdjohnson8 years ago
I think vinyl is considered a different engagement experience - putting on a vinyl is an intent to hear a specific artist, song, album. Its physicality gives us a sense of permanence. – sheishistoric8 years ago
I heard Neil Young is associated somehow with technology that makes CD's sound like LP's, and Dylan has commented that music's not supposed to sound like it does on CD's. – Tigey8 years ago
Addiction is a sore topic surrounding games these days, and tests to prove or disprove this notion are a dime a dozen. But what about the positive effects of videogames? I want an author to write about something deeper than "Games Improve Reflexes" however. I want an author to explore how games can help someone cope with death.
The death of a loved one, mortality as a whole, and the representation of death in videogames. Does a game help a player cope with death by drawing them away from thinking about their own mortality with a compelling story? Or can it convince players that death is just another part of life? Can it convince players that the death of a loved one can help us appreciate those that are still alive? Can it even show us what it means to live?
I think alternative gaming could be useful in this discussion. See The Graveyard and Bientôt l'été. – chandlerwp8 years ago
Telltale Games like "The Walking Dead" and the "The Wolf Among Us" encourage players to learn to live with the consequences of their actions by autosaving after every decision, thus making it harder to reset and make a "better" decision. This could be seen as a way of learning to deal with real life issues -such as the death of a loved one - head on. – troble8 years ago
the obvious work to reference here is "that dragon, cancer." radiolab did a great podcast on it that could be useful: http://www.radiolab.org/story/cathedral/.
– weebil8 years ago
I suggest that they are not. First of all, the format is completely different. Instead of seasons with standard amounts of episodes of 20-60 minutes, a Korean Drama runs for approx. 60 minutes, for approx. 20 episodes. Soap operas and Dramas may have continuous story lines, but it seems that with a soap opera, there are more decisions (with regards to the cast, the plotline) that develop based on consumer reaction (i.e., ratings have a lot to do with what happens in the soap). Dramas seem to be pre-determined, as if a viewer is simply watching a 20-hour movie. I wonder if this comparison is just, given that they emerge from different cultures.
Another good point to bring up is that K-dramas are not produced in a similar fashion to North American ones. Episodes are often finished not long before (even the same day) they air. You are right that they are not the same, not even close. Popular drama in North America has started to veer in a different direction, darker is perhaps the word I'm looking for. The smash hit of series like "House of Cards", "Breaking Bad", and "Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire)" show this trend in North America. – Aridas8 years ago
What does Finn's relationship and need for his father suggest in "Adventure Time"?
I think the answer is that is his need to connect with the human side of him, he kinda forgets sometimes that being the last human is a big thing and unanswered questions about what happened to humans. – tingittens5 years ago
What storytelling techniques are used to invoke the feeling of wanderlust in film?
"Midnight in Paris" is one of my favorite movies ever. It deals with time travel and wanderlust. Gil Pender (Owen Wilson) suffers from "golden age thinking," believing he would be happier in another time period than his own. I think this golden age thinking ties in with the setting of the film, i.e. Paris, to where he has traveled. I think that the technique of implementing time travel into a movie about being abroad definitely invokes feelings of wanderlust. – Christina Legler8 years ago
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is a very inspirational story about traveling. Even more - this film involves the question of self-estimation. I personally started my own trip after this film. And I strongly recommend to check out this film! Who knows, maybe one day you'll have the same awesome experience.
– Brenda177 years ago
People first need to know what is the relation between the title and the body of this topic. – T. Palomino2 years ago
Millennials are typically regarded by the older generations as entitled and cynical. Personally, I come from the millennial generation, and resent the idea that we are entitled and cynical without reason or cause. I just completed a class discussing changes and experimentation in literature during the Modernist era from 1900-1945 in America specifically. What I would hope to inspire from this topic is to circumvent the allegations that Millennials are entitled, perhaps showcase some artwork from Millennial artists or authors, and perhaps even speculate on what a historian might dub the period of artistry created by Millennials
Don't be discouraged by people criticizing Millennial. BTW my tablet keeps correcting my writing of millennial from plural to singular. I can tell you as someone who has worked with Baby Boomers all my life that they are not a group who should be shutting down the next generation. In fact since the 80s, the Boomers have been getting richer and richer to keep wealth in the top 1%. Ironic that the same generation that fought for many egalitarian ideas has become the exact opposite of their ideals. I would just think every time the older generation criticizes Millennial that it is just an expression of their guilty social conscience. Sellout much? – Munjeera8 years ago
This is a good topic, so don't degrade it by getting political and start blaming others (especially other generations). Stay on topic and keep it moving forward in a positive manner. Simply and clearly state "why" Millennials are not cynical or entitled and then give evidence of this through the artwork they have produced. – bergland8 years ago
Munjeera, contradiction alert: if boomers are hoarding wealth, I'm pretty sure they're more than one-percent, so a lot if them aren't getting wealthy. Let's us poor ants quit fighting over one crumb at the bottom of the hill. The problem with every generation is its unwillingness to suffer, let alone die, for what is right. We're all pretty much sheep. – Tigey8 years ago
I think in the notes we're getting a bit away from the message I originally made, which is what contributions artists specifically from the Millennial generation have or will contribute in the future and what future analysis of those artworks and pieces of literature might look like. It is not taking a jab at Baby Boomers or Generation X or anything of that sort. – Nayr12308 years ago
Look at the differences between the movie Eragon and the book by Paolini. Explore why the book was a relative success but the movie was such a cinematic flop. Areas to explore might include character development, major battles, what was changed and perhaps why (such as trying to keep the rating they wanted).
Adaptation Theory can help immensely with this essay. Linda Hutcheon has a seminal text on the topic. – WALSTIB8 years ago
It could also be interesting to do a general article about where book-to-movie transitions often fail, and use Eragon as a framing device, since it sadly falls victim to many of the pitfalls. I would personally attribute many of the problems in Eragon specifically to an attempt to condense the entirety of a very long and complex book into a single movie; the entire thing felt incredibly rushed. – Connor Gregorich-Trevor8 years ago
Looking at many modern top-selling video games the focus on plot development is a key selling feature. An analysis on different genres of video games should be taken into consideration. Do many gamers, both casual and dedicated, rely on plot when choosing their games; does it effect the industry to base the game on plot and do they help us learn things more effectively than reading?
Video games/cyber games seem to offer a future literary path. There is something literary to them. I think it is the future. – Jeffery Moser8 years ago
Looking into the ludology versus narratology debate could be helpful for this article, particularly in answering the question of whether gamers rely on plot when choosing what to play. – Prongsley8 years ago
There's a whole other level to story telling in games that books don't allow for. While readers can get invested in the plot and characters of a novel, video games allow for the player to take control of the story. At best, books will grip you and have you speculating what might happen next, while games allow the player to decide what to do, and experience the consequences of the chosen action. While I don't think that games will replace books or that either medium if better than the other, I think the individual experiences of reading and gaming are what make them unique and enjoyable and need to be considered when you compare the two. – tbarker8 years ago
Write a retrospective on the NBC comedy series Community, including its troubled production, various cast changes, and the numerous ups and downs during its broadcast history. Talk about the individual character arcs and storylines throughout the seasons and how they changed to reflect what was going on behind the camera.
A very worthwhile topic for fan of the show. A big part of what made community so special was unabashed devotion to being meta, which allowed it the freedom be cheeky about its own backstage dramas. For whoever decides to write this (I might be interested myself, but have too many articles pending at the moment; perhaps later down the line if it is not yet taken, but I give any other interested parties right of first refusal for the time being) some key examples worth looking at are: 1) the slow process of writing off Pierce in response to his feud with showrunner Dan Harmon, 2) season 4 as a "gas leak year", 3) Troy's departure coinciding with references to Zach Braff's presence in the final season of Scrubs, 4) Abed's cameo in the season 2 finale of Courage Town as a next-level crossover, 5) the constant re-assertion of "Six Seasons and a Movie" as the meter-stick for a show's success, 6) the final scene of the show being this beautiful gem (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1Pf_X_mgwM). – ProtoCanon8 years ago
Look at how a character's race/ethnicity changing in adaptations affects the story (if at all). Also look at how responses vary from between demographics and from which characters are changed and what this reveals about how audiences think about the races of characters. I.e. Human Torch/Johnny Storm (white) becoming black in Fantastic Four (2015) causes a social media firestorm, but Ra's Al-Ghul (Arab) and Talia Al-Ghul (Arab/Chinese) becoming white in Nolan's Dark Knight Trilogy draws no response, etc.
The Bond franchise's Felix Leiter is another interesting example - the writer could look at what the portrayal of Bond's American counterpart as black says about the modern American identity, and just how much this has changed since the inception of the franchise. – IRBurnett8 years ago
Interesting idea. Cold Mountain had a character that changed from Black to White, resulting in a loss of impact to the story. – WALSTIB8 years ago
Analyze and discuss how j-horror is distinct from other genres of horror, particularly its defining characteristics and notable directors or narratives (i.e. What makes them notable, to you as a viewer and the overall field?) Discuss its historical and recent developments. Have there been any emergent prominent themes? Compare it to remakes.
I believe that Japanese Horror is the most scariest horror there can be. I think the gruesome detail and illogical scare factor (i.e. monster, spirit, ...) is what characterizes the way horror is brought in Japanese Horror. – naturalbeautyqueen8 years ago
Analyze the ways in which mental illness is represented on modern television shows, focusing on particular shows and characters within them. Examine specific examples of how various forms of mental illness are represented, including depression, anxiety and PTSD. Research how representation has changed in recent years, focusing on if and how it has improved or become more prevalent compared to television produced years ago.
Good examples to write about include the TV series You're the Worst and Jessica Jones as well as the films Love & Mercy and American Sniper. – BoomBap8 years ago
To whoever writes this article: "You're The Worst" Season 2 was the best representation of mental illness and depressive behavior I've ever seen on television. That being said, it was extraordinarily triggering for myself and for other sufferers of mental illness to whom it's been recommended. I'd strongly advocate for its inclusion in this piece, but proceed with caution. – Piper CJ8 years ago
While playing Uncharted 4, a big concern I've had is how the treasure hunter trope affects the places he visits. At one point in the game, Nate practically demolishes a cathedral and centuries-old architecture to get to a clue – not the full treasure, just a clue. He exits to see hundreds of locals going about their business, unaware that their local monument was just destroyed by a greedy visitor.
What does the genre say about cultural imperialism? What do we do about the first-world explorer venturing to exotic locales to plunder, leaving nothing but rubble in his wake?
I like this idea a lot. Another interesting aspect of these games you might want to tie in is the realization that Nathan Drake is functionally a mass-murderer. It's very strange and almost comical to see his casually mowing down endless security guards and locals with machine guns and cracking jokes all the way through with a complete disregard for human life. He never seems to deal with any of the emotional repercussions of his murders (a common occurrence in shooter games, addressed very powerfully in Spec Ops: The Line). One aspect of the Uncharted games to note is their intensely cinematic nature. They play like action movies, a genre that also largely disregards human life as well, so perhaps that is where this brazen attitude comes from. – Michael8 years ago
This is so interesting. I've yet to play Uncharted 4, but when I do I'll defiantly be keeping this topic in mind. – Lexzie8 years ago
Analyze the different types of film adaptations of Shakespeare's plays. Which type will ensure that audiences will continue to connect with his plays, written 400 years ago? Some films like Olivier's portrayal of Hamlet are essentially filmed plays. Others, such as last year's Macbeth (with Michael Fassbinder) are dramatized faithful renditions while 1996's Romeo and Juliet (by Baz Luhrmann) modernizes the setting and employs popular young 'movie stars' (Leonardo DiCaprio and Clare Danes).
Interesting topic. I think to some degree, all forms of adaptations have been successful, because there is audience for all. It also depends on the promotion and market of the genre. I myself love the original Romeo and Juliet adaptation but the modernized version starring Leonardo DiCaprio give it a new twist and a new fan base, Leo's fans. He has a large fan base, thus making his movies, anything they maybe attractive. But let us not forget that those who have to read the original plays or not familiar with the form of English spoken, still had trouble relating to the movie.
– Nilab Ferozan8 years ago
Shakespeare's history plays will continue to resonate with the struggles for power.
– Jeffery Moser8 years ago
How does a music score affect the overall feel and quality of Anime? Looking at Anime series that place a heavy emphasis on music, such as Nodame Cantabile, Kids on the Slope, and the works of Jun Maeda (who is both an Anime writer and music composer), can we say that a greater emphasis on music contributes to the greater overall quality of the Anime? Does the ability of an Anime series or film to incorporate music make it a superior medium to manga?
Some of the best music I've seen in anime is definitely the scores for Miyazaki's films. – enizzari8 years ago
Transmedia involves telling a story across multiple platforms, but this storytelling genre/technique is often described as not including "franchises" with stories told across film, cartoon, comic and video game adaptations. However, today's world includes multi-film behemoths like the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), where advertising, media tours and story tie-ins (short films like the Marvel One Shots, TV shows like Agents of Shield, and specific canon MCU comics like "Black Widow Strikes") can have a large impact on a fan's experience of the story. Can franchises provide a valid transmedia experience, or can they exclusively use transmedia "tricks" to control their audiences?
Explore the connections between people who are part of any "fandom" be it comic, movie, book or otherwise, and the potential benefits of it on their mental health. Does being a part of a community help them? Is it their immersion in another reality? Is it even helpful at all, or hurtful instead?
Is there any actual evidence of this? If not, I think it would be really hard to write about it. Interesting to raise the issue, but hard to make an argument. – ismael6768 years ago
Like anything this issue should be presented as having both positives and negatives as people can veer from one extreme to the other. Coping mechanisms can give way to dependency to addiction. The article could look at some warning signs of growing negative impacts. – Munjeera8 years ago
This is something you have to be super super super careful about writing. While it's fascinating to think of the effects fandoms can have on their members, you'd need to talk to people who take part for different reasons.
Take Asagao Academy, for example. On paper, a dating sim centered on real-life YouTubers sounds a bit odd, but this was done with incredible care and a sense of humor. More info: http://kotaku.com/when-liking-and-subscribing-to-your-favorite-youtuber-i-1776892213 – Payton8 years ago
As someone who suffers from mental illness but doesn't include themselves among any particular "fandom", I'd say it really depends on the person. Each fandom has their good and bad aspects, and falling into the wrong crowd online creates just as much as a negative effect on mental health as it would in real life. – BoomBap8 years ago
Examine Louis CK's new show, how it was released (without hefty invasive marketing strategies and advertisement) (a practice that is becoming more common in the music industry, notably with Beyoncé) Analyse the show's use of time (as proof of an intellectually more engaging show) and its politics
I think that's a great idea for an article. It would be interesting to chart how this practice of suddenly releasing art began and who else of note has participated. Another thing to explore would be how Louis CK's production of "Horace and Pete" differs from other examples of this, considering that he payed for the production of the show right out of his own pocket. By analyzing the content of the show and the ways in which it engages with viewers on an intellectual level, you could write about how this practice allows for greater creative freedom and, consequently, more engaging television. – Faron Wade-Lang8 years ago