Berg, Kevin
08.30.09
SENIOR DIGITAL FILMMAKING WORKSHOP I
Fall 2009 Semester
Faculty, Cyan Meeks, cyanmeeks@earthlink.net
Instructions: Fill out form, print, and hand in to instructor. Make sure form is stapled. Also, post on your Blog site.
SENIOR THESIS PAPER PROPOSAL FORM
Working Paper Title: Adaptations of Urban Folklore
Proposed Topic(s):Urban Legends, Ghost Stories, Film & Television Adaptations of Folklore
Purpose of proposed research (what is the significance of your investigation?):
The significance of this investigation is to gain a better understanding of how to construct a memorably frightening story, how best to adapt these tales from the written word to a narrative film, and how to accomplish these goals in a fresh, new way that defies expectation.
What is the relationship of the proposed research to your current work?
My current project is based around a popular urban myth from the southern states of America and includes references to other urban legends from around the country. These ideas are combined together in a fashion that is reminiscent of television serials from the 1950s and 60s which also borrowed heavily from popular myths and cultural anxieties from that time and incorporated them into the writing.
How does this research fit into the larger context of theoretical, historical, and conceptual and cultural issues?
Theoretically, my research has given me a much better understanding of how existing stories inspired by urban myths and partially non-fiction elements can be combined with my own ideas and reshaped in a way that fits into the type of short movie I'm interested in making. Historically, I will be following in the footsteps of several film and television writers who have taken inspiration from popular urban legends and reworked the morals and contexts into something completely different that still carries the usual "cautionary tale" vibe. Conceptually, I am looking into ways of telling my story the way I see it, but still retaining some of the same ideas that were in the original source material that is being adapted. Culturally, I see this as a chance to put my own spin on popular (or even obscure) urban legends/ghost stories, which is has always been such a common thing throughout the history of storytelling and other verbal traditions. All of this relates back to the process of adaptation, and especially concerns issues like maintaining the purity of original material, which is relevant to recent movies that have been criticized for not being completely faithful to the works they are based on.
Describe research paper in 4 sentences or less:
My research paper will provide a brief overview of American folklore and popular urban myths, explain how myths and legends are created and spread, and talk about how some of these myths have become so prominent in our society and culture today. I will give examples of how these myths and stories have been adapted into novels and scripts that later became films and television programs, which in turn inspired me to making and seeing these types of movies.
Discuss your research methods (fieldwork, written materials, screenings, interviews, etc.):
I am constantly gathering books and other written materials, films, television programs and interesting interviews recorded with writers and investigators who research the history of American folklore as resources for my work and this research paper.
List resources you already have to conduct this research:
Numerous television programs, films, websites and texts concerning urban legends and how they've impacted and influenced modern writing and storytelling. These include:
www.snopes.com
www.castleofspirits.com
The Choking Doberman and other Urban Legends
Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction (television series)
Mostly True Stories: Urban Legends Revealed (television series)
The Twilight Zone (television series)
www.americanfolklore.net
List all “experts” you have or will have consulted with:
Jan Harold Brunvand (American folklorist)
How will this research act as a vehicle to your artistic and professional growth?
It has taught me that maintaining artistic vision is most important, but also not to lose sight of the reasons behind why I am telling a story in the way that I decide to tell it.
