Hi Mike,
I think this is a really difficult issue to frame successfully, because all three modes are in fact heterogeneous, over time and even within the same period, not to mention different geo-cultural contexts. It might be worthwhile thinking comparatively about modes of delivery (live or recorded broadcast, etc.), or production (centralized or decentralized), or fictional structures (seriality vs one offs). Most of the essays that I know that set out to do what you are describing end up foundering on some generalization that the argument requires, but that can be demonstrated not to hold true, or that 10 years later doesn't hold true. The study that I find most provocatively complex and challenging, for my own thinking, is chapter two of Auslander, Liveness: Performance in a Mediatized Culture. Nothing there about Shakespeare that I can recall. But lots for someone wanting to think about this problem. It's not a quick read.
On history of TV Shx -- anything by Uricchio (also not usually a quick read). Not Shakespearean in focus, but if what you want is some solid television studies work, you could take a look at the following (all focused on British and US TV) and mine them for key passages to get your students to test/apply in class:
--Raymond Williams's analysis of "flow" in Television: Technology and Cultural form; still a great read
-- bits in Jacobs (The Intimate Screen) and a little in John Caldwell (Televisuality) and also John Caughie (Television Drama), who all attempt to define/analyze the history of TV style in relation to film history.
-- Compelling studies of US TV: Lynn Spiegel (Make Room for TV), Anna McCarthy (Ambient Television), William Boddy (Fifties Television)
-- Pretty much anything by Dana Polan. You might see if the new book on The Sopranos and "quality TV" has any Shakespearean riffs.
Hope that's helpful,
-- KR
____________
Katherine Rowe
Chair and Professor of English
Director, Katharine Houghton Hepburn Center
Bryn Mawr
101 N. Merion Avenue
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
610-526-5312
fax 610-526-7447
----- Original Message -----
From: "Mike Jensen" <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Thursday, November 4, 2010 4:33:48 PM
Subject: Differences Between Film and Television
I'm looking for a reading to copy and give to my class on Monday. It will compare the possibilities/limitations of adapting Shakespeare for film and television. I know I have read things like this from time to time and years ago, but I cannot remember where. It would be even better if it compared TV, film, and the stage. Any useful suggestions will be appreciated.
all the best,
Mike Jensen
author site:
www.michaelpjensen.com
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