My First Adaptation

This month (September 2020) I was a part of a class about “Multimedia Adaptation.”  The class presented the challenge of adapting O. Henry’s 1905 short story, titled The Gift of the Magi into a screenplay.  It was a challenge I was thrilled to take on.

My first goal was to turn the 1905 creation into a contemporary story.  I determined to allow the essential characters to remain a married couple, with a big boost in financial status.  The couple I created were well to do lawyers.  I also gave the couple a child.  In O. Henry’s original story the focus was all about the desire each spouse had to please the other.  In my adaption, the focus was what the couple wanted to give to their child.

As one who aspires to write screenplays professionally, the experience my class afforded me was extremely valuable.  Before the class, I had only imagined writing original content.  However, what I learned about adaptions has opened a whole world of possibilities.  It’s liberating to know that I can take an idea from another writer and create new content.  I’ve even considered what it might be like to find music under public domain, and create a visual story from the lyrics.  I know that I plan to invest time researching public domain stories and books involving youth with the hope of writing at least one adaption from what I find.