Step 6: Evaluate Film Adaptations
Now we move to preparing for your group's performance. In a group, you will be adapting one act into a genre of your choice. First you will evaluate other directors' decisions about interpreting the play. You will need the following notesheet to guide your evaluations of film adaptations. Make a copy of it in your Google Drive (File / Make a copy) and name it Lastname_Step6. Take notes digitally and submit it on the Evaluation page.
Download Step 6 Guide
Warning: Macbeth is a violent, disturbing play about the dark side of human ambition; both Broadway and film adaptations often reflect this theme in ways that are sometimes disturbing. Although it is the view of the author that these adaptions capture Shakespeare's themes, viewer discretion is still advised, and this page is intended for use by high school age students and above.
Opening Scene
WARNING: If you are squeamish, you may not want to watch the third version. Here are three versions of the opening witches scene from Roman Polanski's 1971 version, Geoffrey Wright's 2006 version, and Rupert Goold's 2010 version.
Press Conference
This scene is the morning after Duncan's murder and comes from the 2005 adaptation, in which Macbeth is the lead butcher at a restaurant. Notice Malcolm and Donalbain in the audience of the press conference. What ideas do you get from this version?
Random Fact: All actors playing Professor X & Magneto in both X-Men franchises have played Macbeth in one point of their careers.
Sir Ian McKellen
His famous production included co-star Judi Dench as Lady Macbeth. In this video, McKellen analyzes the "Tomorrow and tomorrow" speech.
James McAvoy
As part of BBC's series, Shakespeare Retold, James McAvoy plays Macbeth, the lead butcher in Duncan's high class restaurant.
Patrick Stewart
Originally a 2007-2008 London West End production, the adaptation was filmed in 2009 for the big screen. The entire film is available at PBS.
Michael Fassbender
Starring Fassbender as Macbeth and Marion Cotillard as Lady Macbeth, the film is due out in 2015. The first posters were recently released.
Conclusion to Step 6: Critiquing Other Adaptations
So you've now seen portions of at least five different adaptations of Macbeth, and all five are in different settings. Only the very first clip you saw was 11th century Scotland. What ideas did you get? You will be performing your act in a genre. How can you incorporate the genre into the script, setting, props, and action in ways similar to what you saw in these? How did they all also incorporate major ideas and symbols? In the next step, you will be figuring out which big ideas and symbols appear in your act in order to include them in your re-enactment.
Proceed to Next Step
Step 7: Act Analysis
Here you will analyze the major ideas, symbols, motifs, and themes of your group's Act. Refer to notes you've been taking based on motifs and symbols in Steps 4 and 5. You will need the following notesheet to complete the analysis of your act. Make a copy of it in your Google Drive (File / Make a copy) and name it Lastname_Step7. Your group will only need to submit one copy of this, and it does not matter whose last name you submit it under as long as all group members names are in the document. You can submit it on the Evaluation page.
Download Step 7: Act Analysis
Step 8: Make a script
Next you will rewrite your act based on your group's genre. You will need the following script form with instructions to complete this step. Make a copy of it in your Google Drive (File / Make a copy) and name it Lastname_Step8. Fill in the form with your entire script and submit it on the Evaluation page.
Download Step 8: Script Template
Conclusion to Step 8: Make a Script
Besides writing dialogue, you will need to establish stage directions. What will your characters be doing while saying their lines. Check out this video, where Patrick Stewart explains an interesting stage direction that Rupert Goold gave him about the "Macbeth with murderers" scene in the play.
Proceed to Next Step
Example of stage directions
Step 9: Make props and a backdrop
The last step is to make props for your performance and at least one backdrop. You will need the following form to submit a plan for props and backdrop(s). Make a copy of it in your Google Drive (File / Make a copy) and name it Lastname_Step9. Fill in the form with your plan and submit it on the Evaluation page. Then make your plan happen; gather supplies--whatever you need to make the backdrop and put it together.
Download Step 9: Props/Backdrop Plan
Sample backdrops. Images from Allison Harmer, 2012.
