Adaptation

Structural features of text	Analysis	Supporting quotations
Concept of adaptation	Adaptation of early life forms Adaptation of “The Orchid Thief” by Susan Orlean Discussion of the adaptation with Valerie Orlean’s adaptation of her interviews into a book	Laroche: ‘Adaptation is a profound process … figure out how to survive in the world …” Kaufman: “It is a journey of evolution. Adaptation. The journey we all take. A journey that unites each and every one of us.” P40
Charlie Kaufman as narrator: use of the interior monologue	Anxieties; low self esteem; indecisive	Opening voice over
Real people fictionalized: Orlean, McKee, the Kaufman brothers
Use of flashbacks	Orlean begins writing her book as Kaufman begins his adaptation
Imaginative recreations	Prehistoric world Darwin Orchid hunting in Borneo, China
Movement from ‘reality’ to fiction and fiction to ‘reality’
Stories within stories	Kaufman’s adaptation of Orlean’s book: Writing the script Charlie and Amelia Charlie and Donald Susan Orlean and the adaptation of ‘The Orchid Thief’ Writing for the New Yorker Relationship with husband Relationship with Laroche Laroche’s past

‘Language’ features of text	Analysis	Supporting quotations
Use of the voice over (VO)	Black screen for Charlie’s first speech
Handheld camera in ‘Being John Malkovich’ sequence	Gives a documentary feel; heightened realism
Use of titles with flashbacks	Labels sequence as a flashback
Time lapse photography of daisies at the end	Shows their adaptation to their circumstances: day to night
Sepia tint to Charles Darwin sequence
Voice over to bees and flowers	Voice over turns natural process into description of love making
Flower show	Voice over takes on two levels: literal and metaphorical meaning – flowers and women
Use of botanical language to characterise Laroche
Use of language to characterise Donald		“… I need a cool way to kill people.” “…I tried to split the Cassie scene in half …Because I wanted there to be more tension … That way the audience gets hooked early on.”
Use of humour/pathos		First date with Amelia: “They look at each other. It’s a kiss moment. Nothing happens. The moment passes. Kaufman is embarrassed. Amelia seems sad.” In car with Amelia: “Why didn’t I go in? … I should just go and knock on her door now and kiss her … I’m gonna do that right now.” Kaufman drives away.