Project 9 – Micro Fiction Adaptation

Project 9 – Micro Fiction Adaptation

Read the selection of very short stories from Micro Fiction (edited by Jerome Stern), and chose one story to translate into a comic that is between two and six pages long.

Do you focus on accommodating every line of text while creating a very literal interpretation? Or do you try to use as little narration as possible while placing a stronger emphasis on finding visual ways of recreating the same effects the writer achieved with literary conventions such as the metaphor? What types of panel transitions suit the story? What kinds of word/picture relationships are most effective? It’s up to you!

A comparison of Paul Auster’s City of Glass and David Mazzucchelli’s adaptation is a great example of this being done well. Read through the excerpt before beginning your comic.

The Micro Fiction Adaptation thumbnail sketches are due (scanned and emailed) before the beginning of class on 3/7

Micro Fiction Adaptation comics are due 3/23 to be critiqued 3/28 and 3/30

You may work digitally or traditionally, but a digital copy of the image must be emailed to the instructor before class begins. Traditionally created work should be scanned at no less than 200 dpi. Name this image “IL220B_Lastname_Firstname_Project 9.jpg”.

Project 9 – Micro Fiction Critique Questions

Name of the critter:

Name of the critiqued:

Does this adaptation use words? If so, what types of word/picture relationships are used?

How much of the original text is used? Is it enough? Is it too much?

Is this a successful adaptation of the short story? Does the adaptation accurately capture the tone of the original short story?

Are the important narrative elements from the short story included in this adaptation? Is anything missing or misinterpreted?

Are there moments where art is used to show what is described in the text of the short story while words are used to describe something different? Are there moments that are the opposite?

How is the pacing? Does the comic feel fast or slow? Or both? Does that match the short story? Does it compliment the short story in any way? Explain.

Is the art clear? Can you easily discern foreground from background? Is the mark making descriptive? Is any of the imagery confusing?

What is the subject of this sequence? Does the sequence look finished?

Can you follow the action or actions?  What is the complete action or story arc?

Is there ever confusion about the panel reading order?

How is the “acting” in the strip?  Are character’s facial expressions and body language clear?

Is the strip interesting?  Would you want to read more?  Elaborate.