'O' level english (anyone)

[grumpyoldgeezer]

Hi,
I'm a bit confused with the latest task my daughters teacher has set for her. As I have been forbade from asking the teacher what is meant in bullet four below, can you good people pass judgement on what you think it means?

She has completed her letter, but it has been returned, for a re-draft, especially point four. I’ll not say what she has done for this just yet as I do not want to influence anybodies view. So far, the people I have shown this to have, agreed with the view that I hold. It’ll be interesting to see what you good people think.

The complete task I have included below.



+=++=+=+=+=+=++=+=+=+=+=++=+=+=+=

Write a letter from Gary Sinise, the director of `Of Mice and Men' to John Steinbeck, the author, informing him of the changes made to adapt the book to the screen.



Look at the following scenes:
• The opening credits. The first thing the director does is to put George into context. Remember you have looked at the opening credits, music, camera shots and colour. Link this scene to the end of the book.



• The next thing Gary Sinise does is to modify the script by changing the order of the scenes‑the girl in Weed. Remember to comment on the use of camera shots including POV shots, movement, sound effects and always comment on the effect these have on the audience.



• In addition the director adds scenes‑‑‑explain why he has added these. Refer to the scenes themselves, the use of music, lighting and camera shots. Look particularly at those involving Curley's wife.



• Decide as a conclusion whether as a director Gary Sinise has been successful and write a few sentences justifying your reasons.



Here are some phrases that you may like to include in your letter.
Remember you are writing as if you are Gary Sinise.

I am particularly pleased with ... ....
I think you'll like the way ... ... ... ..
I loved the part in the book when ... ... ... ... so I have ... ... ...
I hope you are impressed with ... ... ... ..
In the bookyou … … … … .butl decided to … … … … … .. because .. … … ..



As a director you were obviously moved and impressed when you read the book so let this shine through in your letter.
You are aiming for about 500‑750 words in total.

[elrandom3]

Ah, 'Of Mice and Men'. I remember doing the same a few years back for my GCSE English (unfortunately I only got a D in Literature, so maybe I'm not the right person to help out here? ).

As far as I understand it, you're writing a letter, as the director of the film, to Steinbeck the Author. Surely then, this makes the last point a "why I did so well as the director", seeing as you're writing from Sinise's POV, unless they mean it as an addendum after the letter saying why you (as the viewer) think he did such a good job.

Certainly a puzzler.

[Justin]

I think it's like elrandom3 says, I studied that book myself for GCSE!

[acidtechno]

yeah, I remember doing this, it must be standard for GCSE English Literature, I got a C for my GCSE

I did of mice and men, we read the book, and got to watch the movie in class time too, but this was about 10 years ago now, so it's a long time, and I don't remember the book or the movie clearly enough. To help out here anyone would probably have to have the book in front of them, possibly re-reading it, and having the movie available to view at their leisure, so it's pretty difficult to help out, sorry

[grumpyoldgeezer]

Ah, I forgot to update the 'O' to 'GCSE', showing my age there! Apart from the film not being made when I was at school.

My elder daughter done her (GCSE) last year, but did not have to write a letter, so was not able to help out with the meaning of "point four". Which is what we are after.

They got to watch the film in lesson time as well. That has to be more fun than doing lessons!!!!

[elrandom3]

The film's actually quite good.. I will admit, eventhough I knew what was coming, the ending did bring a tear to my eye

[grumpyoldgeezer]

And a bit of topic I know (point four), you can see Gary in CSI-NY(as Detective Mac Taylor) and two episode of CSI-Miami, he has produced some of them (actually a lot) and was the writer for one of the episodes (live or let die).

Back to the point in question, any more ideas or votes for elrandom3 view.

[geordie]

IMO the conclusion is to be written as part of the letter from the POV of the director. But then what do I know I'm an engineer, give me maths anyday!

[grumpyoldgeezer]

Here’s my take on point four….
If this, is to be part of the letter, then the teacher is asking the pupil (as Gary Sinise) to blow their own trumpet (i.e. look at how good I am at making films), something I don’t think most people would do, especially as you are writing this letter to the author of the book. This I think would be construed as being very rude. But if you where writing to somebody other that the author, (to raise funds to make the film, etc) then, yes, you would blow you own trumpet.

Then again you are being asked to take a judgement on whether He has done a good job or not. From Gary’s Point of view, is he going to say anything else other than “I did a great job”! Back to blowing your own trumpet, again.

But if the pupil is being asked for there own opinion, then that can’t be part of the letter. This last bit is how it reads to me and other people that I have shown this too, but it is not very clear.

Anybody else, wish to add any comments?