CTEC Media Production – Y2

AfL: Unit 10 – Media Adaptations

Task 1: Case Studies

Produce a detailed comparative analysis of a range of media adaptations. You must explore a minimum of three case studies.
Case Study 1: ​Journey to the Center of the Earth
Original Text Original Target Adaptation New Target Audience Key Changes in genre, style, form etc. Legal/ethical Issues
Audience
Around the time it The first film I think the target The adapted film is very different As a book it started with no
The original text is a was originally adaptation of the audience for the from the original text, they turned it restriction to who could buy
science fiction novel published very few book was released on adaptation could be into a sci-fi blockbuster. There’s new it, as a 1959 film it had a G
written by Jules people could read. I December 16, 1959. wider. Because of the characters, a female explorer and a rating (general viewing) so
Verne. The original think that the The Budget of the film genre I think the new main antagonist. Also the character of that also didn’t have many
title was Voyage au audience was likely was $3.44 million and target audience is Axel is renamed Alec and is more restrictions. The film is
centre de la Terre. It middle class, people the box office was probably boys adventurous than cowardly as he is in copyrighted by 20th century
was published in with high income and $10 million. between the ages of the book. fox film corporation and
1864, and in English education. 10 and 16. Joseph M,Schenck
in 1871. It has 183 Enterprises.
pages.
Notes on overall success of the transmedia adaptation:
Popularity / Wider audience / New franchise / Financial Success / Reviews etc
The book has been adapted into film in 1959, 1978, 1989, and 2008. It’s also been adapted into television, radio, theatre, and a theme park. Other adaptations include
video games and concept albums.
At the time of release, the film Journey to the Center of the Earth was a financial success, grossing $5,000,000 at the box office.
CTEC Media Production – Y2
AfL: Unit 10 – Media Adaptations

Case Study 2: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

Original Text Original Target Adaptation New Target Audience Key Changes in genre, style, form etc. Legal/ethical Issues
Audience
The book was I think the target The Wizard of Oz I think that the film In the book Dorothy has silver As a book it had to
written by L. Frank audience is children film, released was targeted at shoes, not ruby red, they changed restrictions, the film is
Baum. The under the age of 12, August 25th 1939. slightly older it in the film because red looked been rated PG (parental
publication date because of the use The Budget was children, and young better in technicolour. Oz is a real guidance) by the BBFC. The
was May 17, 1900. of illustration. It’s $2.8 million and the teens. Unlike the place in the book, not just a film was released not long
The illustrator was an american novel, original box office book I think the film dream, and “there’s no place like after the book was
W. W. Denslow. so I think it was was $3 million, the is target at a more home” is a movie line. published, Baum (writer)
There’s 13 sequels. written for an unadjusted global audience, not and Denslow (illustrator)
american audience. re-release box just america. shared the copyright.
office was $23.3
million.
Notes on overall success of the transmedia adaptation:
Popularity / Wider audience / New franchise / Financial Success / Reviews etc

According to MGM records, during the film's initial release, it earned $2,048,000 in the US and Canada and $969,000 in other countries throughout the
world, resulting in total earnings of $3,017,000. While these were considerable earnings, the high production cost, in association with various distribution
and other costs, meant the movie initially recorded a loss of $1,145,000 for the studio. It did not show what MGM considered a profit until a 1949
rerelease earned an additional $1.5 million (about $15 million today). However, for all the risks and cost that MGM undertook to produce the film, it was
considered at least more successful than anyone thought it would be.
The film was first shown on television on November 3, 1956, by CBS, as the last installment of the Ford Star Jubilee.
CTEC Media Production – Y2
AfL: Unit 10 – Media Adaptations

Case Study 3: The Gruffalo

Original Text Original Target Adaptation New Target Audience Key Changes in genre, style, form etc. Legal/ethical Issues
Audience
The Gruffalo is a Children aged 3 - 7. The animated short The target audience A few new characters were added, As a book it had no
children's book by It’s a picture book film of the Gruffalo remained the same. a mother squirrel and her kits, so restrictions to who could
Julia Donaldson, and with very little was released on The film was the film can be narrated like she’s buy it, and the first
illustrated by Axel writing so young christmas day, broadcast telling the story in the book. viewing of the film was on
Scheffler. It was children probably 2009, on BBC 1. It worldwide and is TV so anyone with a
published on the 23rd enjoy reading it. was watched by 9.8 distributed on DVD licence could watch it.
March, 1999. It’s
Because it’s rhymes million people, The The film has a Now it’s on DVD the film
written in rhyming
children probably Daily Mirror hailing narrator character, still doesn’t have a rating
couplets, featuring
repetitive verse with
pick up the story it as "a family classic so follows the story from the BBFC. If it were
minor variance. quickly. for years to come". very closely. rated I think it could be a G
or U, so there’s little issue
there.
Notes on overall success of the transmedia adaptation:
Popularity / Wider audience / New franchise / Financial Success / Reviews etc
The film has won many rewards.
● Best short for children
● Award for best TV special
● Best children’s programm
● Audience award
● Best of the fest
● Best television animation made for children
● Children's choice award silver

The sequel to the Gruffalo, based on the picture book The Gruffalo's Child , was shown on BBC One on Christmas Day 2011.
CTEC Media Production – Y2
AfL: Unit 10 – Media Adaptations