Sequel Essay

FILM 2080

INDUSTRIAL ASSIGNMENT #2: Remake Exercise

• Due Tuesday, April 27 at the beginning of class in the appropriate CourseDen folder. (Late papers will not be graded unless there are extenuating circumstances.)

• No length requirement, but make sure to cover all sections in clear, specific detail.

• MLA format

• Typed, double-spaced, 12-point font, 1-inch margins, Times New Roman

• Standard rules of paragraph construction (i.e. topic sentences, supporting quotations, appropriate transitions)

• Aim for an academic tone, not an informal one. Avoid first- and second-person (I, me, my, you, we, us, our, etc.), as well as personal narrative (“This is my favorite movie because I

remember watching it with my friends when we were kids.”)

As we’ve discussed in class, adaptation of a film can happen in numerous ways to numerous

effects. For this assignment, you will get the chance to “remake” or craft a sequel to a film (on

paper). You will be playing director, casting director, producer, editor, costume designer, art

director, and music supervisor.

Select ONE of the following films:

Casablanca Rashomon Psycho

Sunrise Jaws Baby Driver

Clueless One Night in Miami It Happened One Night

Pretty Woman Hitch Palm Springs

Incorporate the following elements into your essay, following instructions carefully.

1. Rationale: In at least one thorough paragraph, answer these questions: Why did you select this film? Why do you think it should be remade or continued with a sequel? Make

your case as an artist (how is this an exciting creative endeavor?) and make your case to

a studio head (how is it marketable – to what audience(s), when, and why?).

2. Casting: Recast at least four major characters, using individuals working in 2019. In a detailed paragraph, explain your choices – especially if you’re making a sequel to a much

older film.

3. Scene addition and subtraction: Select one or more scenes to add (you may describe or script this) and explain why you made this choice; then, select one or more scenes to cut

and, in a single paragraph, explain why you made this choice.

4. Chronology: Explain how you would reorder scenes – this can be radical or minor – and to what effect in at least one paragraph.

5. Historical time period or regional context: Place the film in a time period at least ten years away from the original or place the film in another regional context. In at least one

paragraph, explain why you think this is a worthwhile change and how it would

transform the impact of the film.

6. Costuming: Thematize the “look” of one major character in a manner very different from the original. Consider hair and makeup, fashionability, color, fit,

masculinity/androgyny/femininity, age-appropriateness, region-appropriateness, fabric,

garment selection, and anything else you think is relevant to recreating that character, and

then explain your choices in one paragraph. Your choices must include considerations

beyond those in #5. Please include images.

7. Set design: Select one major set that appears in the film to transform. Explain why you chose that particular set and the ways in which you would change it in a single paragraph.

Please include images.

8. Props-mastering: Online, find at least three props that belong in the film and include the images in your document. In a detailed paragraph, explain how you see each prop used

and why that specific object would be appropriate.

9. Music supervision: Select at least three songs or pieces of music that you feel would be appropriate for inclusion and where you would place them in the film. In a detailed

paragraph, explain your reason for including these songs and your reason for placing

them at those moments. If the film you’re remaking already contains iconic music, how

does this complicate matters? Do you keep the original version? Do a new interpretation?

Omit it entirely?

10. Conclusion: In at least one thorough paragraph, make your closing statement for why this film needs to be made, including potential difficulties along the way.