DISCUSS THE CHALLENGES FACED BY A FILM DIRECTOR IN ADAPTING SHAKESPEARE'A WORK WHEN BRINGING IT TO THE BIG SCREEN, CONSIDER THE WAYS THAT BAZ LURHMAN MEETS THESE CHALLENGES THROUGH A DETAILED EXPLANATION OF THE OPENING SCENE OF ROMEO AND JULIET

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Discuss the challenges faced by a film director in adapting Shakespeare’s work to the big screen, consider the ways in which Baz Lurhman meets these challenges, through a detailed exploration of the opening scene of Romeo and Juliet.

Many challenges arise when a film director is faced with the task of adapting a Shakespeare play to the big screen.

The film to be a big success has to appeal to a wide range of people. The director will have to create a balance that will attract non Shakespeare fans to come and see the film but at the same time not to change it to much as to offend Shakespeare fans, who would not be impressed if the film did not do the play justice. Not only does the film have to appeal to these people but it has to appeal to a wide age bracket as well. To include all of these people in the succession of the film a number of techniques, devices and alterations to the film have to be made and used. These include language, the setting, music, time management, costumes, and actors/actresses. Without the appealing to a wide audience the

Language is a huge challenge. In the Shakespearian time period the language is now referred to as ‘Old English’. Not many people nowadays can easily understand the language used in Shakespeare’s plays. To over come this problem an intelligent use of characters, props, setting and music is used to help the audience understand better the story line and to be kept entertained by the film.

The setting of a film is very important. It is especially important when trying to adapt a Shakespeare play because the director finds himself in a dilemma. He has two choices, he can either keep the setting orthodox to keep in with time the play was set in, or he can choose a modern setting. With both if these choices comes problems. If the film director was to choose a setting mentioned in the play then it may not interest as many people, yet if he chooses a modern approach then part of the plays authenticity may be lost.

Music has to play an important role when creating a film like this. Music can identify characters; create moods and atmospheres, drama, action and entertainment. It can also reflect the way a character is feeling at a certain moment in time. Music can help the audience understand more easily what is going on in the film if they find the dialogue confusing. Music can capture the audiences attention and involve them more in the film because for a example a certain type of music may signify a fight and so they are waiting for the an anti climax.

When ‘Romeo and Juliet’ is acted on stage as a live play, the play may easily cover a period of time of two to three hours. This time must be shortened when taken to the big screen; a three-hour film may get boring for some people, especially the younger audiences. Time management has to be carefully looked at and considered, when producing a film from a Shakespeare play.

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Costumes in a sense have the same problems as the setting does. The director again is faced with two options again. The director can either keep the costume modern or keep the original costumes in the play. Also here the director is faced with the decisions of who wears what and what they will reflect about them. Costume is a very cleverly used technique. Costume can determine different sexes, groups, gangs, class and different personalities. This has to be looked at very carefully by the  film director.

Finally the actors and actresses need to be chosen. Using familiar ...

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