Shakespeare 4 Kidz News

Are you tired of 3-D movies only alternating between cartoon animals and violent killers?

How about something a little more, sophisticated? Well, you’re in luck, because Elsinore Films’ Mark Thomas is producing a 3-D musical version of HAMLET that is supposed to be aimed at the HARRY POTTER and HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL audiences.

Thomas is actually adapting six Shakespeare plays to 3-D film, and the rest include MACBETH, ROMEO AND JULIET, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, TWELFTH NIGHT and THE TEMPEST. The films have rather modest budgets ($10M for the first three), but will be distributed globally once they’re all finished within the next 18 months or so.

I’m just curious as to how you adapt these movies for teens. Instead of the massive killing spree at the end of HAMLET, do they just settle things with a pick-up basketball game in the banquet hall? Instead of the double-suicide at the end of ROMEO AND JULIET, does the couple do a song and dance number to show their families they belong together?

Alright, I’ve just convinced myself that this project is awesome.

See the original article on the Joblo website

Posted: August 13th, 2009 by WorstPreviews.com Staff

Elsinore Films is producing a 3-D musical "Hamlet" targeting the "Harry Potter" and "High School Musical" market. The movie will be the first of six adaptations of William Shakespeare's plays, based on musical versions created by UK theater company Shakespeare 4 Kidz.

The other five pics in the series are "Macbeth," "Romeo and Juliet," "A Midsummer Night's Dream," "Twelfth Night" and "The Tempest." The first three films will be made for $7 million and will be produced back to back over 18 months. Lensing will take place in Canada and the UK.

"Hamlet" lends itself to a 3-D treatment. The producers hope to include a ghost that hovers in front of the audience's eyes, cannon fire that flies into the auditorium and a sword fight that appears to happen all around viewers.

Source: Variety

See the original on worstpreviews.com by clicking here

London (PTI): Shakespeare is all set to get a 3-D musical makeover.

Elsinore Films is producing a 3-D musical of "Hamlet", which will be the first adaptation of William Shakespeare's plays.

The new series, which is targetted at teen market, will be based on musical versions created by UK theatre company Shakespeare 4 Kidsz, Variety reported.

Directed by British John Godber, the other Shakespeare plays in the pipeline are Macbeth," "Romeo and Juliet," "A Midsummer Night's Dream," "Twelfth Night" and "The Tempest."

The series will be shot in UK and Canada.

The company is also planning to shoot a TV show 'Movie Quest--A Romeo 4 Juliet', a talent hunt show to find two young actors to play the lead parts in 'Romeo and Juliet, one of the most famous romantic tragedies of all time, produced and reproduced time and again all over the world.

CLICK HERE to see the original article on THE HINDU website

FROM THE STAGE WEBSITE
by Matthew Hemley

A musical version of Hamlet by theatre company Shakespeare 4 Kidz is to be turned into a 3D film, as part of a deal that will see six of the organisation’s plays adapted for the screen.

The theatre company is working with Elsinore Films to create the six screen versions of its Shakespeare adaptations, with Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Twelfth Night and The Tempest to follow.

Hamlet is being directed by John Godber and produced by Mark Thomas from Elsinore Films. The pair previously worked together on Godber’s film version of Up ‘n’ Under.

The film is being co-produced by Julian Chenery, founder of Shakespeare 4 Kidz, who said: “Creating a Hamlet for children was the ultimate test for the Shakespeare 4 Kidz company. We are thrilled that the team of Mark Thomas, John Godber and Michael Cowan are able to help bring this unique idea to the big screen.”

Thomas added that he had “long admired” the work of the theatre company and said he was “delighted that funding opportunities have presented themselves so readily”.

As well as the films, Elsinore has developed a television show called Movie Quest - A Romeo 4 Juliet, which will involve a public search to find two actors to play the leads of Romeo and Juliet.

CLICK HERE to see the original article on THE STAGE website