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.