Film Adaptations

They say when you love something, you should let it go. But the film world clearly hasn’t gotten that memo. In recent years, more and more beloved films have been revived for the big screen and re-envisioned to engage modern audiences. Whether that’s a good thing is a topic of ongoing heated discussion. So join us to do just that for a final time this semester as current host Vikram Nijhawan, host successor Cailin Ball, and non-host Nujhat Tabassum band together to tackle everything “reboots”: What exactly are they? Why do people keep making them? Is capitalizing on nostalgia or retconning/ retelling beloved stories repeatedly always a bad thing? Are reboots doomed to crumble under the weight of expectations from the originals’ success, or can they stand strong on their own merit? Join us for “Episode 4: Reboots” before we head into our own inevitable reboot phase. *Note: The comic book referenced in the News Reel, Batman: The Long Halloween, was not written by Frank Miller as implied, but rather written by Jeph Loeb and illustrated by Tim Sale. Some resources about the films mentioned in this episode may be found below: This episode’s News Reel section: Why is Hollywood Obsessed with Reboots and Revivals (The State Press) Ten years ago, Batman Begins kicked off Hollywood's gritty reboot rut (The Verge) ‘The Batman’ Review: Who’ll Stop the Wayne? (NY Times) ‘The Batman’ Review: Robert Pattinson, Zoë Kravitz, and a Complex Gotham Makes This the Best Bat-Movie Since ‘The Dark Knight’ (Collider) Why so serious? Robert Pattinson's The Batman is a joyless slog (CBC) *Note: The comic book referenced in the News Reel, Batman: The Long Halloween, was not written by Frank Miller as implied, but rather written by Jeph Loeb and illustrated by Tim Sale. Don’t forget to check out our website for more information about SVC: https://vicscreenwriting.wixsite.com/uoftsvc And you can stay up to date on all things SVC on our social media - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vicscreenwriting/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vicscreenwriting

Our host Vikram welcomes writer, filmmaker, and SVC’s faculty advisor Daniel Tysdal! As a multi-disciplinary creative, Daniel lends advice for aspiring filmmakers, speaks on how formal education fosters creativity, and details his experiences in writing in an array of different mediums. Tune into to this riveting discussion, and find out why practice proceeds abstraction! Some resources about the topics mentioned in this episode may be found below: Articles and media - The Oath of Isis (YouTube) “The Time Traveller’s Pantoum” (NSI) “How TIFF Helped Save My Life” (The Walrus) “Letter from the Faculty Advisor” (Screenwriters’ Perspectives Vol. 2) “Interview with Professor Daniel Tysdal” (Screenwriters’ Perspectives Vol. 2) “Waveforms and Doom Scrolls” (CBC Books) Daniel’s TEDX Talk at UTSC (YouTube) This episode’s News Reel section: “What do you need to be warm?” by Neil Gaiman Neil Gaiman NFT Auction – Can Crypto And The Creative Industry Collab? (Comic Years) “Neil Gaiman to auction off NFT of film-adaptation of poem for Afghan aid” (Jerusalem Post) “NFT Of Neil Gaiman Poem Auction To Aid Afghanistan Refugees” (Bleeding Cool) Don’t forget to check out our website for more information about SVC: https://vicscreenwriting.wixsite.com/uoftsvc And you can stay up to date on all things SVC on our social media - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vicscreenwriting/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vicscreenwriting

Calling all Janeites! ...or anyone else familiar with Jane Austen's work. This week's episode covers Autumn de Wilde's 2020 film Emma., an adaptation of Austen's 1815 novel of the same name. Marta and Vikram welcome Bridget Raymundo in discussing the navigation of contemporary adaptation, gender, and female relationships. Put on your bonnets and tune into their conversation! Some resources on this episode's News Reel segment can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1W_hbCIqgSfPhiEnM47-YGbmC6-z9W58D_Mqsgu5wHOw/edit?usp=sharing Don’t forget to check out our website for more information about SVC: https://vicscreenwriting.wixsite.com/uoftsvc And you can stay up to date on all things SVC on our social media - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vicscreenwriting/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vicscreenwriting

Happy New Year! SVC is back with its regularly scheduled programming of Fade In. In the first episode of 2022, Nujhat Tabassum joins Vikram and Marta in discussing Film Adaptations. Tune into as they cover hit titles such as: Adaptation (2002), Easy A (2010), Moonlight (2016), Chicago (2002), and Scott Pilgrim vs. The World (2010).  Some resources about the topics mentioned in this episode can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1AMLUG2QnLjraMTez0MgAep5SvGnsC5SxSRujEt63wZ4/edit?usp=sharing  Don’t forget to check out our website for more information about SVC: https://vicscreenwriting.wixsite.com/uoftsvc  And you can stay up to date on all things SVC on our social media - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vicscreenwriting/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vicscreenwriting

Do you feel a disturbance in the force? Tune into this holiday special as we close off Act One of the Fade In podcast! In this episode, Vikram, Marta, Corinne, and Cailin discuss the use (or overuse) of nostalgia and fan service in your favourite franchises, what made each trilogy succeed and fail, and how Rey Skywalker’s fashion choices were symbolic of her character development (or lack thereof). And as always, young padawans, Merry 24th Be With You! Don’t forget to check out our website for more information about SVC: https://vicscreenwriting.wixsite.com/uoftsvc And you can stay up to date on all things SVC on our social media - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vicscreenwriting/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vicscreenwriting

Marta and Vikram take a deep dive into the world of Wes Anderson as they investigate his 2018 animated film "Isle of Dogs." The film follows Atari, a young boy who goes on an adventure to save his bodyguard-dog, Spots. Although Anderson hit it out of the park with his 2009 animation "Fantastic Mr. Fox," "Isle of Dogs" received a very different reception. Controversy began as questions of whether "Isle of Dogs" was an orientalist film or not arose. Tune in as Marta and Vikram discuss the spread of misinformation, cultural appropriation vs cultural appreciation, Anderson's distinct style and much more! Our research about each film and show mentioned in this episode can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CjBrw-_z3NysdqyseQnlcVt08lLACKCHyetbmW_Al7c/edit?usp=sharing Don’t forget to check out our website for more information about SVC: https://vicscreenwriting.wixsite.com/uoftsvc And you can stay up to date on all things SVC on our social media - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vicscreenwriting/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vicscreenwriting

In 1978, scholar Edward Said coined the term "Orientalism," an interpretive lens in which the 'West' has traditionally viewed the 'East'. Marta and Vikram welcome Cailin Ball in exploring Orientalism and its existence in prominent films and television series. Join in on their discussion as they take a look at some big titles including: Mulan (1998), Marco Polo (2014-2016), Kill Bill Vol. 1 (2003), Kill Bill Vol. 2 (2004), Doctor Strange (2016), and Blade Runner (1982). Our research about each film and show mentioned in this episode can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XCI_C59N1EoJukzhPralW3Bj1kp-nTw0R60hIEM8L7E/edit?usp=sharing Don’t forget to check out our website for more information about SVC: https://vicscreenwriting.wixsite.com/uoftsvc And you can stay up to date on all things SVC on our social media - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vicscreenwriting/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vicscreenwriting

Our brave host Vikram ventures into the exciting world of YouTube film analysis with filmmaker, podcaster, and YouTube veteran Michael Tucker as his guide. As the voice and one of the brains behind projects such as Lessons from the Screenplay, Story Mode, and Beyond the Screenplay, Michael lends some expert insight. Tune into this episode to get to know Michael and listen to Vikram fanboying for an hour! Some resources about the topics mentioned in this episode as well as Michael's projects may be found below: Lessons from the Screenplay: https://www.youtube.com/c/LessonsfromtheScreenplay Story Mode: https://www.youtube.com/c/StoryModeOn Beyond the Screenplay: https://anchor.fm/beyondthescreenplay This episode’s News Reel section: The Washington Post - ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ is a better movie than the movies. But it could be a better game: https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/reviews/guardians-galaxy-review/ Business Insider: Video-game industry revenues grew so much during the pandemic that they reportedly exceeded sports and film combined: https://www.businessinsider.com/video-game-industry-revenues-exceed-sports-and-film-combined-idc-2020-12 Don’t forget to check out our website for more information about SVC: https://vicscreenwriting.wixsite.com/uoftsvc And you can stay up to date on all things SVC on our social media - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vicscreenwriting/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vicscreenwriting

Some indie playwright named Shakespeare once wrote, “All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players.” The main character of the film we discuss in this week’s episode seems to have taken this quote to the extreme. Listen in as Sofi Abouassali joins Marta and Vikram in discussing Next of Kin (1984), a film by U of T alumnus Atom Egoyan. Some resources about the topics mentioned in this episode can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/15ObyTWyYVvQgXAiFdjdT1TVmac6klhzhvdvCa0-41LM/edit?usp=sharing Don’t forget to check out our website for more information about SVC: https://vicscreenwriting.wixsite.com/uoftsvc And you can stay up to date on all things SVC on our social media - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vicscreenwriting/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vicscreenwriting

When the Boston Globe published an exposé piece on the repeated abuse from a local priest, it sent shockwaves throughout the United States. The real-life event inspired Tom McCarthy’s 2015 film "Spotlight," which follows the investigative journalist team's process of releasing the article. Listen in on Marta, Colin, and Vikram's conversation of the film and the effects of investigative journalism. Some resources about the topics mentioned in this episode can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TJ7-TrArgF8_Wbe65HfrW5p69RCl5D6GwzR4WOXYoGQ/edit?usp=sharing Don’t forget to check out our website for more information about SVC: https://vicscreenwriting.wixsite.com/uoftsvc And you can stay up to date on all things SVC on our social media - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vicscreenwriting/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vicscreenwriting