Modules

Core Module Information
Module title: Film Adaptation
SCQF level: 08:
SCQF credit value: 20.00
ECTS credit value: 10
Module code: LMD08118
Module leader: Qiao Li
School School of Arts and Creative Industries
Subject area group: Screen and Performance
Prerequisites

There are no pre-requisites for this module to be added
Description of module content:

In this module, you will adapt a literary text into a screenplay and a short fiction film. You’ll focus on the creative process of translating literary works to the screen, with the freedom to reinterpret and reimagine the source material while preserving its core themes, narrative essence, and emotional impact. You will explore the art of adaptation, learning how to structure and transform the story for a cinematic format. Emphasis is placed on narrative construction, visual storytelling, and rhythm, with practical exercises to build your collaboration skills, deepen your understanding of key film roles, and develop your ability to work professionally with actors to bring the adapted story to life.
Learning Outcomes for module:

Upon completion of this module you will be able to

LO1: Develop an insight into how character, story, and production design elements interact in the adaptation of a literary work into film, considering the challenges of visual storytelling.

LO2: Explore the interpretation of a dramatic scene from a literary text and identify a range of appropriate production techniques and creative choices for its adaptation to film.

LO3: Examine the roles, responsibilities, and contributions of individuals within a film production group, and collaboratively solve production and narrative challenges encountered during the adaptation process.

LO4: Identify and address the formal, intellectual, and technical challenges involved in adapting a literary narrative into a moving image format, particularly in the context of your own adaptation project.
Full Details of Teaching and Assessment
2025/6, Trimester 2, In Person,
VIEW FULL DETAILS
Occurrence: 002
Primary mode of delivery: In Person
Location of delivery: MERCHISTON
Partner:
Member of staff responsible for delivering module: Qiao Li
Module Organiser:


Student Activity (Notional Equivalent Study Hours (NESH))
Mode of activityLearning & Teaching ActivityNESH (Study Hours)NESH Description
Online Guided independent study 69 In Guided Independent Learning, students will apply skills from lectures, tutorials, and workshops to develop their film adaptation projects. This involves researching literary sources, refining screenplays, and addressing technical and narrative challenges independently while reflecting on the adaptation process.
Face To Face Lecture 18 The Lecture component of the Film Adaptation module will focus on the process of adapting literary works into film. Students will explore the relationship between narrative, character, and production design, learning how to translate these elements from text to screen. Lectures will also cover the challenges of adaptation, including maintaining the essence of the original work and addressing creative, technical, and intellectual hurdles.
Face To Face Tutorial 44 In Tutorials, each group will receive guidance throughout the process of adapting their chosen literary text into a film. Students will work collaboratively on refining their adaptation, with support in interpreting the source material, developing the screenplay, and addressing production challenges. Tutorials will provide an opportunity for feedback, troubleshooting, and enhancing the creative and technical aspects of the adaptation process.
Online Practical classes and workshops 69 Practical Classes and Workshops focus on shooting and editing techniques for adapting literary works into film. Students gain hands-on experience in cinematography and post-production, working collaboratively to refine their visual storytelling and technical skills. These sessions emphasize the creative and technical aspects of film adaptation.
Total Study Hours200
Expected Total Study Hours for Module200


Assessment
Type of Assessment Weighting % LOs covered Week due Length in Hours/Words Description
Portfolio 40 1~2~3~4 Week 5 , WORDS= 15 minutes Students, working in groups of up to six, will present a 15-minute pitch for a short film adaptation. The pitch should showcase their research and creative vision, addressing themes, genre, character focus, visual style, and key logistical elements such as schedule, budget, and health and safety. To support their approach, groups are encouraged to use clips, stills, or other artistic references. A PowerPoint presentation must be submitted prior to the in-class pitch. A 5-8 page draft script is to be submitted the following week.The pitch is a group assessment, where the group will be marked collectively for the pitch presentation. However, individual contributions will also be evaluated based on each student's assigned role (e.g., director, editor, sound designer) in the pitch process, as well as their workbook documentation. This ensures that each student's personal contributions and reflections are fairly assessed in addition to the group’s collective work.
Project - Practical 60 1~2~3~4 Week 13 HOURS= 5-8 minutes The Adaptation Short Film assignment challenges students to creatively reimagine a literary work as a short film. This project emphasises both the creative and technical dimensions of adaptation, including screenplay writing, directing, cinematography, sound design, editing, and the art of transforming narrative elements from text to screen.As a group project comprising 60% of the total module grade, this assignment fosters collaboration while recognising individual contributions. Students will work as a team to produce a cohesive and compelling short film, with each member taking on a defined production role (e.g., director, editor, sound designer).To ensure a fair evaluation, group work will be assessed collectively, while individual performance will be graded based on role-specific contributions and a detailed reflective workbook, documenting their personal effort, creative input, and learning throughout the process.
Component 1 subtotal: 40
Component 2 subtotal: 60
Module subtotal: 100

Indicative References and Reading List - URL:
LMD08118 Film Adaptation
 

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