Romeo & Juliet Scene Translation Assignment

In groups of three to four, you will choose a scene from the grid list (first come, first serve! Decide quickly! You will be translating this scene into some other vernacular or mode of speech or cultural context and adapting it to film. Shakespeare wrote a story about 14^th century Italy for a 17^th century British audience… consider what you might do to adapt it to a 21^st century context, or think of other contexts (e.g. mid-century broadway musical, old western, soap opera, Star Wars). Be creative, take risks.

Review the “Language Key Terms.” Identity any Literary Devices used in your scene (pun, metaphor, hyperbole, etc.). Pay careful attention to how you might use language—whether figurative or literal—that is appropriate to the vernacular of your chosen setting/context for translation. In other words, translate Shakespeare’s words into the vernacular (or common language) of your group’s chosen context.

While the language will change, some things must stay the same—these things include the elements of drama, character, and plot—review the Literary Terms. The basic conflict and character development, as well as tone, themes, meaning, and context within the play, should stay the same. YOU MUST USE THREE DIFFERENT LANGUAGE/WORD-BASED LIT DEVICES

Brainstorm any costumes, props, backgrounds, or other things you will need for the filming process. You may use your scripts when you film, unless you want to really impress me by memorizing your lines.

Your film should be well-done with a steady hand, intentional shots, proper variation of close-ups, medium shots, and long shots, and should be well edited. Consider the rule of thirds and varieties of shot types. You will be showing this to the class.

Scenes to choose from:

Act.Sc.	Summary	Characters
1.4	Mercutio and Romeo banter; Queen Mab speech “Mercutio and the Queen Mab lead the mob to the masquerade.”	Romeo Mercutio Benvolio
2.2	Balcony scene “Despite a balcony between them, the Lovers bond.”	Romeo Juliet Nurse
3.1	Mercutio’s & Tybalt’s death “The tragic deaths of Mercutio and Tybalt sour the tone.”	Mercutio Benvolio Tybalt Petruchio Citizen Romeo Prince Escalus Montague Capulet Lady Capulet Lady Montague
3.3	Romeo hiding with Friar Lawrence; nurse comes to get him for Juliet “Friar Lawrence counsels an exiled Romeo.”	Friar Lawrence Romeo Nurse
3.5	Argument between Juliet and her parents about marrying Paris “As Romeo flees, Juliet fights her father’s arrangements.”	Romeo Juliet Nurse Lady Capulet Capulet
4.1	Friar gives Juliet poison to imitate death “Friar Lawrence presents a poisonous plant to Juliet.”	Friar Lawrence Paris Juliet
4.5	Family finds Juliet “dead” “Juliet’s devious ‘death’ drives the Capulets to despair.”	Nurse Juliet Lady Capulet Capulet Friar Lawrence Paris Musician Peter
5.1	Romeo hears Juliet is dead, decides to kill himself “A misinformed Romeo resolves to lie with his ‘corpse’ bride.”	Romeo Balthasar Apothecary
5.3	part 1: death scene “The lovers fulfil their fate…”	Paris Page Romeo Balthasar Friar Lawrence Juliet
5.3	part 2: end of feud “... and end the feud.”	Page 1st Watchman 2nd Watchman 3rd Watchman Prince Capulet Lady Capulet Lord Montague Friar Lawrence Balthasar

REQUIREMENTS:

·      Every group member must play at least one significant speaking part (on screen).
YOU MUST USE THREE DIFFERENT LANGUAGE/WORD-BASED LIT DEVICES

·      All of the following are important elements to consider—I will be grading you on their quality:

o   Scene backgrounds

o   Props

o   Costumes

o   Video Craftsmanship

o   Mood music

o   Clearly audible voices

o   Annunciation

o   Stable camera

o   Visual Communication (see rubric, although not everything applies)

o   Rule of thirds

o   Aesthetically pleasing scenes

o   Quality of editing—seamless transitions, no unnecessarily long shots

You will turn in:

·      The completed video

·      The script (with all names, date, period, and title including the scene you have translated and a fancy new name for it based on its new conceptual framework. See here for how to write scripts

Grading:

·      Video (10 points)

o   Craftsmanship

o   Editing

o   Backgrounds, costumes, and props

·      Content (20 points)

o   Use of language devices appropriate to the context of our translation. Include at least THREE DIFFERENT LANGUAGE/WORD-BASED LIT DEVICES

o   Capturing of Shakespeare’s tone, theme, and meaning, and basic plot devices and character development