Film Adaptation Blog

"Popular Mechanics"
1. Plot: So, there is not much plot to this short story. I would use the scene that the story has as the climax of my film. If I did not add to it, it would last maybe ten minutes! Therefore, I would add a lot. The climax would be consistent to the story, with pretty much no changes at all. The only changes that would occur would be how the story starts and ends. I want to start the story with the initiation of the fight. Instead of it being all about the worst part, I want to build up the suspense to make the scene in the short story even stronger. The two begin the day bickering over every little thing. The day would be seen as just another day by having nothing big happen. It might have to drag out a little by adding in something interesting, but not too big just so the audience doesn't get bored before the climax. Also, I want to make sure all of the foreshadowing that was in the story is used in the film. The organization or sequence would just be the everyday routine. The mother would nag and just do things that obviously make the father angry and annoyed. Then, something little, like a switch of the TV channel, sets the father off. The father then go off on the mother. The arguement starts out like the others, but it soon escalates into hateful words. The man heads to the room to pack just like in the story. The woman says out of anger how she is so glad he is leaving. After the climax, the film would end with the baby being with the father and the woman sitting there in shock.

2.Point of View: The point of view of the narrator would be third person omniscent. He would have not emotion and just state things how they are at the end. This would add to the story's detachment of the two. By having a detached feeling, the relationship will immediately feel like its falling apart. This point of view will also stay in line with the story. By not having it be first person, the ending will not have as much emotion. It would be very unexpected, just like it was in the book. I think that this point of view would do the similar effects that the third person omnisscient did for the short story "The Lottery". I want the focus of the story to be on the theme of the mechanical aspect of the entire story rather than the emotional aspect.

3. Characterization: I would like the characterization to stay consistent with the story. The story would reveal the characters the same as the story as well. Indirect characterization would take place, so the little actions that each of the characters do reveals what they feel. The two would not really be characterized as individuals. Rather, their attitudes towards each other and the relationship would be revealed. This would add to the mechanical aspect since this would make their relationship not have an individual or special touch. Although this is true, I want the father's strength to be shown, which would foreshadow him having more power which leads to him having the baby. Also, I want the mother to be given a nagging and annoying vibe from her actions,so the audience can understand why the father wants to leave her. It could be applied to various relationships in the audience's own life maybe. Rolling of eyes, talking under their breath, awkward silences, or avoidance might be some actions to relay the point to the audience.

4. Setting: The setting would be slightly different. Instead of it being at one time, it will be throughout the day. The movie would start with morning, and then progressivly get darker. I would want it to maybe be raining throughout the day. This would make the emotion towards the setting be that it is drowsy and sad. Rain always makes things seem gloom. The climax would occur at night when it is very dark. This would be the darkest scene;therefore, the setting should be the darkest. Also, the scene would take place during a storm. The storm would symbolize the anger from the scene and the tension between the two.

5. Theme: I want the theme to be the exact same as the book. All of these the elements would convey the relationship. In return, the relationship and other aspects from the elements would reveal the main theme of the mechanical way they do things. I want the relationship to not be anything special or different. It should be relatable. The universality of the theme would cause the audience to find a common thread in their own life. They should be able to think about one couple or relationship in their life that they can see similarities they have with the relationship portrayed. The theme of motivation and revenge would take place as well. This would be more effective by showing the previous actions that lead to the overall fight. The ending will show how the father is getting back at the mother for all of the things he has to put up with.