fandomhigh | Film and Lit, 3/15/07

"So," Daisy said without preamble at the start of the class. "I'm thinking we should get back to some of the classics this week. We've taken a look at some of the different mediums that films draw stories and inspiration from: comic books, board games, literature, urban legends, all that fun stuff. We've looked at sci-fi, horror, comedy . . . we've covered a lot. But there are some stories that are so classic that sometimes we forget that they came from somewhere, and that someone wrote them down first. And this may tie into another class for some of you kids. This week, we're going to talk about movies made from fairy tales."

Daisy placed her hand on a stack of books at the front of the room. "Here we have some of the original texts from the brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Anderson. We have some of the more modern texts that have tried to update the stories for what people today consider to be appropriate for younger audiences. Grab a book, any book, find a fairy tale, and discuss how you would make a movie of it. We've also got clips from what some would consider to be the definitive movie-from-fairy-tale makers, the Disney company. See if you can find your fairy tale among these movies. How did they adjust it for their animated features? What does animation lend to the story that live action doesn't have? What do you think works? What do you think doesn't work?"

After some time for discussion, Daisy got the class' attention again. "It's about time for us to start thinking about final projects, and, well, I thought I'd leave a lot of that up to you. We're going to have one, mind you, but do you want an exam? Do you want to try making your own film? Writing an analysis or a treatment? Maybe making a trailer for an adaption? I want it to be something that interests you. For homework this week, think about the final grades and what you'd like to do for a project. I'd like you to turn in a proposal to me next week."

[ooc: as always, don't forget to meta. Any fairy tale adaption, Disney or otherwise, is up for grabs here. Handwaving is always acceptable, but I'd love if people had some ideas for final projects that would be fun for you to RP. OCD is ~~coming~~ up.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

With your Disneyfied name

Simba, the ~~Danish~~ Lion Prince

Princess Mira Nova of Star Command

Thumbelina

Jayederella

Zeroel

Zack of the Addys

Prince ~~Eric~~ Weiss.

I mean, what was up with those early Disney movies? Those bad guys were way creepy.

"I suppose that the largest change that you can see between the source material and the animated adaptations is the change in what is considered acceptable subject matter for young audiences. While all the gore and violence and death in the original fairy tales was considered to be fine in the 1700s when the Grimm brothers were collecting German folk tales, modern parents would consider them to be too violent for their children. And so, in most of the films you see here, the violence has been removed and the characters are given a happy ending. The mermaid is given her prince. The ugly stepsisters do not cut off their toes. The lion and his court survive the usurper's reign. I suppose that it's a matter of taste as to which version a viewer would prefer."

Daisy nodded. "But which do you prefer, Hamlet?"

"Well, I find that I mostly prefer the original endings to the tale. They may be comparatively more grizzly, but they do more accurately reflect the harsher realities of life couched in a cover of fantasy."

He smiled wanly. "Sometimes, however, it's nice to have a happy ending and some upbeat songs."

Daisy nodded. "Those are some good ideas. Thank you, Hamlet."

For any ideas you might come up with this week in class

Without chatting about class stuff

The older fairy tale tellings are her favorites. They have much more realistic concepts of death and dismemberment.

You can OOC if you want to, you can leave your friends behind. . . .

Cause your friends don't OOC, and if they don't OOC, then they're no friends of mine?

What? What do I care if your friends OOC? What are you talking about?!

. . .

Gyuh, I have not had enough sleep today.

Film and Lit, 3/15/07

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Final project?

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