Plot Structure - The Hours & Adaptation

Grade Level: 9-12, college

Subject: Sceenwriting, Film Studies

Keywords: Mrs. Dalloway, Virginia Woolf, The Hours, Adaptation, plot structure film studies, lesson plan, Movies in the Classroom, ClassBrain, screenwriting, scriptwriting

Author: Cynthia Kirkeby

Affiliation: ClassBrain, Inc.

Date: 13 March, 2003

Duration: 2 class periods

Background:
The three characters in The Hours are intertwined, even though they are from various time periods. Sometimes the thread that connects them is the book, Mrs. Dalloway. At other times, the common thread is the issue of unrequited love, longing, and despair. All of these issues are explored in this well-crafted look at life and despair.

In Adaptation, the plot structure is extremely complex. Multiple story lines are interlaced to complete a final plot line. Although it starts out as a look at the adaptation of a book to a screenplay, this film becomes much more.

Objective:
Explore the plot structures of these two Academy Award nominees for 2003.

Project 1:
The Hours is really three separate stories that have been woven into a single tale by connecting key moments that resonate between the various stories. Watch The Hours and map out the various resonance points and discuss their significance to the overall presentation.

Project 2:
Watch Adaptation and The Hours. Discuss which classic screenwriting technigues they use to their advantage. Then take a look at the things that you’re not supposed to do, and discuss how these two movies violate the rules and make it work.

Learning Links - The Hours (PG-13)

The Hours
The official movie web site. (Rated PG-13)
There are extensive resources on this site, including interviews on the making of the film.
Source: Miramax

A Biography of Virginia Woolf
A well-written biography of this feminist writer with quotes intermixed with descriptions of her. Includes a list of selected works.
Source: Book & Writers

Mrs. Dalloway
This site explores the film adaptation of Virginia Woolf’s story Mrs. Dalloway.
Source: FirstLook

Classic Note on Mrs. Dalloway
Literature study guide for Virginia Woolf’s story, Mrs. Dalloway.
(Note: Some pop-ups)
Source: Gradesaver

Sparknote for Mrs. Dalloway
Good literature study guide for Virginia Woolf’s story.
(Note: annoying pop ups)
Source: SparkNotes

Learning Links - Adaptation (R)

Adaptation
The official movie site. (Rated R)
Click on the red underlined names to find out more about the writers and the director. Scenes are available for review on streaming video under the write-up on Spike Jones.
Flash required. Quicktime or Windows Media Player are required for video clips.
Source: Sony Pictures

'Adaptation' takes us into the looking glass
A review by Steven Rosen of the Denver Post takes a look at some of the things Adaptation is and isn’t.
Source: The Denver Post

Learning Links - Screenwriting

Screenwriting Tips for Playwrights
These 14 tips for screenwriting, take you from structure to pitch.
Source: Richard Toscan - Viginia Commonwealth University

Screenwriting - Plot Points
This outline shows the essential points of a typical screenplay.
Source: All About Screenwriting

Tips from Final Draft
Read through tips posted on writing for Television and Theater.
Source: Final Draft