E D I U YE L G ED V EIY U E N D IG T U S IY R T HD C S U TY L Censorship rating SE V E E N I T S I R H C Mature themes, low level coarse language FROM BOOK TO FILM: HATING ALISON ASHLEY While there are similarities between reading a book and viewing a fi lm, there are also important differences. Robin Klein wrote Hating Alison Ashley in 1984. Since then many children (and adults) have enjoyed reading this book, conjuring up images of the characters, settings and events in their minds based on their own experiences of the world. Reading a book is usually a very personal experience and one where you can make many decisions. You can choose when and where you will read, to read for a short period or a long period, to pause and do some- thing else, to read the book out of sequence, to re-read sections and even to stop reading altogether. Viewing a fi lm, especially at the cin- students to explore and to compare and Portrait Gallery and ema, is quite different, as it is often a contrast the book with the fi lm version Character Analysis social experience, shared with friends of Hating Alison Ashley. In particular, ac- or family. Unless it is a most unenjoy- tivities in the guide will assist students Use the worksheet ‘Character analy- able fi lm, you are unlikely to leave your in becoming familiar with the codes and sis’ to record your ideas about char- friends in order to stop viewing. So, conventions of fi lm and to appreciate acters introduced in chapters one and generally the complete story is viewed that the adaptation of a book to fi lm is two. Include physical characteristics without interruption. While viewing you not merely a simple transfer of ideas or appearance; dialogue; character are not the one conjuring up the im- from one medium to another; rather it is traits/behaviour and reasons for ac- ages; instead the fi lmmakers provide the re-crafting of a story using the tools tions or behaviour; relationships with you with images and a soundtrack that of fi lmmaking to reach a contemporary other characters; and other charac- creates the characters, settings and audience. ters’ opinions about the character. events. To do this, fi lmmakers use a (See Worksheets above) number of codes and conventions of Introducing the novel, communication that differ from those Hating Alison Ashley Select two characters from each chap- used by authors of print texts. ter and draw a portrait showing how As a class, read chapters one and two you think each character would look. This study guide will provide a range of of Hating Alison Ashley. tools to help Middle Years teachers and 2 CHAPTER ONE CHAPTER TWO Erica Yurken main character, yr 6 girl Mrs Orlando school secretary Harley Erica’s older brother Barry Hollis year 6 boy Mr Nicholson Principal Valjoy EErriiccaa’’ss 1155--yyeeaarr--oolldd ssiisstteerr Miss Belmont year 6 teacher Mr Kennard teacher Jedda EErriiccaa’’ss 66--yyeeaarr--oolldd ssiisstteerr Mum Erica’s mother ABOVE (L-R): CHARACTERS IN CHAPTERS 1 AND 2 Lennie BBooyyffrriieenndd ooff EErriiccaa’’ss mmootthheerr CHARACTER APPEARANCE (body shape/size, wardrobe, make-up, hair, gender, age, ethnicity) ACTION (character traits, behaviour, body language, gestures, facial expressions, mannerisms) MOTIVES (reasons for action/be- haviours) DIALOGUE RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER CHARACTERS OPINIONS (of other characters about this character) CHARACTER: Which character did you fi nd most appealing, interesting or likeable? Why? • How did this character dress, behave and speak? • How was this character important in this story? SETTING: What were the main settings? • Did the story take place in the present, the past or the future? PLOT: Is this story real?• Does the story seem realistic? Why or why not? Could some- thing like this really happen? • What was the story about? PERSONAL RESPONSE: What will you remember most about this story? Why? • How did this story make you feel? Why? ABOVE TOP: CHARACTER ANALYSIS WORKSHEET - NAME: ____________________________________________________________________ ABOVE BOTTOM: RESPONSE TO HATING ALISON ASHLEY - NAME: _____________________________________________________________ Event Ladder Reading the novel After reading the novel In small groups begin to list key events Read the novel as a class serial or, if Storyboard that occur in the story to create an event the school has multiple copies, form ladder. Begin by listing events at the reading groups and read one or two Work with a partner to develop a sto- bottom of the ladder. Add new events chapters together each day. Use the ryboard showing key scenes from the above these after reading each chapter. discussion points or activities (provided story. Select two key scenes and show at the end of this guide) to support and how you might produce those scenes Point of view extend the reading of each chapter. on fi lm. Give examples from the novel to show If you were the producers responsible from whose point of view the story is for creating a fi lm version of Hating told. Alison Ashley, what would the title of 3 your fi lm be? Explain whether you ley, explaining why he or she should or Her fi rst short story was published would retain the title or select a new should not read the novel. when she was just sixteen years of one, and why. age. In 1981 she was awarded a Lit- Alternatively write a letter as a char- erature Board grant and since then has Complete and discuss acter from Hating Alison Ashley to a had more than forty novels published classmate explaining what happens across many different genres. Her Complete the worksheet ‘Response to next year. books are often humorous and explore Hating Alison Ashley’, then, as a class, many issues including friendship, discuss your responses and also the Cover it! loneliness and disability. following questions: Students design a cover for a sequel A number of Robin Klein’s books have - Why does Erica eventually become to Hating Alison Ashley that includes been shortlisted for the Australian friends with Alison? title, front cover illustration, blurb and Children’s Novel of the Year Award, in- - How do you think Erica and Alison notes about the author. cluding People Might Hear You (1984), might act towards each other Hating Alison Ashley (1985), Halfway when they return to school? Going further Across the Galaxy and Turn Left (1986) - Did you enjoy the ending of the and Seeing Things. Her highly ac- novel? Do you think it had an Read the biographical information claimed novel Came Back to Show appropriate ending? Were all the (below) about the author. Find out how You I Could Fly won a Human Rights confl icts or problems resolved? If many novels she has published and Award for Literature and also won not, what was left unresolved? how many awards she has received for the 1990 Australian Children’s Novel her work. of the Year Award for Older Readers. Story box Klein’s Penny Pollard’s Diary (1983), Students should watch The Robin was Highly Commended in the 1984 In groups of four create a story cube Klein Video (in Victoria borrow from Book of the Year Awards and was later using a large cardboard box. Illustrate www.acmi.net.au/borrow) where Klein adapted for television. each side of the box to show key discusses how she creates her novels aspects of the novel, for example, by drawing upon the powers of every- In 1991 Robin Klein was awarded the setting, main characters, Erica’s fam- day encounters and self-discipline. Dromkeen Medal for her signifi cant ily, teachers at Erica’s school, kids at contribution to the appreciation and Erica’s school and a key event. Display Biography of Robin Klein development of children’s literature in the boxes and spend time sharing Australia. ideas with other groups. Robin Klein is one of nine children. She was born in 1936 in Kempsey, New • Conduct a web search to fi nd out Letter review South Wales. She has worked in many the titles of Robin Klein’s many different fi elds and has four children. books. Write a letter to a classmate as one of • Find out which books have be- the characters from Hating Alison Ash- come fi lms or television shows. 4 Introducing the fi lm, Developing an understanding of the being. Yuk daydreams about her life Hating Alison Ashley craft that underpins the creation of a as a famous movie star—but real- fi lm can enhance the enjoyment and ity bites back as she learns to deal Like the book, the fi lm Hating Alison understanding that can be gained from with schoolgirl rivalries, fi rst kisses, Ashley explores the complexities viewing a fi lm. Furthermore, enjoyment insecurity and misunderstandings on a involved in being teenagers. Through and appreciation of a well-crafted fi lm journey to new discoveries about true its two main characters, Erica Yurken can be extended by viewing it more friendship and family relationships. (Saskia Burmeister) and Alison Ashley than once and by sharing the experi- (Delta Goodrem), the fi lm unravels the ence with other people. Before viewing the fi lm many dimensions of a person’s life that work together to make up their Synopsis of the fi lm Book to screen personality. The fi lm does not sanitise the world of young people by ending Hating Alison Ashley has been • As a class, list fi lms you have seen ‘happily ever after’, with characters described as a coming-of-age story that have been based on books. forever changed in order to promote a about the dilemmas, feelings and Share your thoughts about books message about being kind and gener- emotions faced by teenagers in rela- being made into fi lms. ous of spirit to one another. Rather, it tion to peer rivalry, friendship and fam- - What were your feelings as you acknowledges that we are all human ily relationships. waited for the fi lm to be released? with many fl aws and imperfections - What were your thoughts when you and, at times, we make mistakes and This fi lm explores the life of four- saw the characters come to life on misjudge people. The fi lm shows us teen-year-old Erica Yurken. As far as the screen? Were you impressed that we can often repair, move on and she’s concerned, her life sucks: her by the fi lmmakers’ portrayal of the learn from our mistakes. classmates are not in her league, her book? How? Have any fi lms been family is an embarrassment, her acting disappointing? If so, in what ways? As students become familiar with the genius is not recognized and, to top - How do you feel when key scenes codes and conventions of fi lm they will it off, because of her name, she is from a book are changed signifi - further appreciate that the adaptation nicknamed ‘Yuk’. cantly or not included in a fi lm? of a book to fi lm is not merely a simple - Do you think a fi lm based on a transfer from one medium to another. From the moment the perfect, blonde book should be totally true to the While a fi lm may resonate strongly with Alison Ashley arrives at school, it is book? Why? Why not? the book from which it arose, the very clear that Yuk’s world is to become - Have you read Hating Alison Ash- nature of creating and communicating even more turbulent. Yuk has always ley? Do you expect the fi lm version meaning through fi lm necessitates that felt superior to everyone at Barringa to be true to the book? Why? Why the content is explored from a fresh East, but the very beautiful, rich and not? perspective. smart Alison Ashley seems to have - What do you already know about everything and be everything that Yuk the fi lm Hating Alison Ashley? How has ever dreamed about having or do you know these things? 5 After viewing the fi lm Include at least ten features, such rotate the following roles: as Erica’s and Alison’s homes, the - Facilitator: responsible for Setting the scene schools, and roads that contributed deciding what questions will to the re-zoning of the suburb in be discussed and encouraging The opening sequence of a fi lm is very relation to school attendance. everyone to participate. important. In the fi rst few minutes the Find a way for the map to repre- - Reality-checker: responsible fi lmmakers must capture the atten- sent some of the differences in Ali- for encouraging the group to tion of the viewers by introducing key son’s and Erica’s neighbourhoods. consider ideas about how the characters and giving hints about what fi lm relates to the real world. is to follow. Their task is to whet the Plotting key events - Note-taker: responsible for viewers’ appetites so they want to fi nd recording the group’s ideas. out what this fi lm is all about and what • Work in a small group to create a - Reporter: responsible for shar- will happen next. fl ow chart to illustrate the se- ing the ideas of the group with quence of events in the fi lm Hating the class. • As a class discuss the following: Alison Ashley. - The opening sequence of While creating the fl ow chart refer Examples of discussion the fi lm, Hating Alison Ashley to the event ladder (constructed questions shows two contrasting school while reading the book) to help list settings. Provide reasons why elements from the fi lm that differ Responding you would or would not have from the novel, for example: pri- - How did you feel about the fi lm begun the fi lm in this way. mary school setting to secondary while viewing? After viewing? Read the opening of the book. school setting. - Did anything about the fi lm sur- Is the fi lm true to the book? • With the same group, select three prise you? - How does the fi lm provide scenes from the fi lm and evaluate - Does the fi lm remind you of other information about Alison’s ap- the effectiveness of each one in fi lms or other books? If so, how? pearance on her fi rst day at her terms of communicating meaning. new school? Rate the importance of dialogue Refl ecting - How does the fi lm provide compared with action for each - What three events do you think information about what Alison’s selected scene. were pivotal to the story? fi rst day at the new school was • Compare how each scene is pre- - What do you think were the best two like for her? sented in the book. scenes? Why were they the best? - How does the fi lm provide information about what Alison’s Close analysis Thinking deeply fi rst day at the school was like - Does the fi lm raise any important for Erica? • Form new groups of four students. issues? If so, what are they? • Draw a story map showing both Hold four short fi lm discussion - Does the fi lm refl ect aspects of Alison’s and Erica’s neighbourhood. sessions. During these sessions your own life? How? 6 Thinking critically and as much as possible, not necessarily to script of the fi lm to depart from creatively the book itself. And the way we tackled the novel? Explain why you - The fi lm Hating Alison Ashley is that was by making sure that the es- agree or disagree. based on the book of the same sential emotional strains of the book - Do you agree with the Execu- name by Robin Klein. In what ways were present in the fi lm, but to make it tive Producer/Producer that has the fi lm been adapted suc- more contemporary and relevant to the the ‘essential emotional strains cessfully? youth of today. of the book’ were present in - If you had the opportunity, what the fi lm? What do you believe changes would you make to the A signifi cant difference between the are these essential emotional fi lm version? novel and the screenplay was the strains? age of the characters. In an effort to - Why do you think the fi lmmak- Following the fi nal group-discussion broaden the appeal of the fi lm to a ers wanted to broaden the reports to the class, meet in groups larger audience, the team decided to appeal of the fi lm to a larger again and work together to represent all make the characters in their early- audience? Do you think the the ideas of the group about the fi lm, as teens as opposed to twelve-year-olds decision to change the age of a mind map. When fi nished, display the as they appeared in the novel. the main characters was a wise mind maps in the classroom. decision? Why or why not? Another challenge was contemporising - Do you think the fi lm would Script to screen the novel for a modern audience. The have been successful or novel was set in the late 1970s, early unsuccessful if it had been set … [I]n adapting such a well-known 1980s, so certain elements needed to in the 1970s or 1980s like the and well-loved novel, deciding what be overhauled for the screenplay. novel? Why do you think this? elements from the book should be John Brousek What diffi culties would this included in the script and what would (Executive Producer/Producer) pose for the fi lmmakers? work on screen was a source of • Debate as a class: The fi lm version continual tension. In some areas it was That meant a lot of changes from the of Hating Alison Ashley should necessary for the script to depart from book. Like, there are no computers in closely match the book version of the novel. the book and no mobile phones, so it’s the story. Justify ideas by compar- Christine Madafferi (writer) a completely different ball game mak- ing scenes or events from the book ing it contemporary. with the fi lm. If you’re slavishly faithful to the book, Christine Madafferi what you end up with is a fi lm that Characterization doesn’t quite work. With a book like • Read the quotes above, then work this that is so popular, having sold a with a partner to respond to the The success of a fi lm almost always quarter of a million copies in Australia, following questions: depends upon believable characters. there was a huge responsibility to - Do you agree with the writer Although most viewers understand that remain faithful to the book’s audience that it was necessary for the characters in a fi ctional fi lm are not 7 real people, while viewing they need to for devotees of the original book. Madafferi (writer) found the Alison suspend disbelief, to identify with one Whilst the novel has the luxury of character more diffi cult to adapt to or more of the characters, or to have developing the character over the screen. She says: some reactions to or feelings about the length of the story, the fi lm would not actions or motives of characters. be as forgiving. She says Yuk is ‘quite Alison’s character has been one of the an arrogant little girl and you feel like most contentious, because in the book The following section explores how wringing her neck, unless you actually she’s an angel and she’s one dimen- fi lmmakers draw upon a different set understand where she’s coming from.’ sionally an angel and it works really well of codes and conventions from those on the page but there’s been a lot of used by authors to create characters. Director Geoff Bennett adds, discussion whether she should show a bit more activity and spark and another Erica and Alison We auditioned a lot of potential Yuks side and get impatient with Yuk, or and Saskia [Burmeister] just absolutely whether she should be perfection all the Christine Madafferi (writer) and Chris stood out and she’s turned out to be time. That was a constant discussion Anatassiades (co-writer) believe they such a fi nd. It’s a diffi cult role. In the during the whole of the scripting proc- remained as faithful as possible to book, you are able to get in behind ess. So she was probably the character Robin Klein’s two lead characters, Erica the character, because you have 200 that was most diffi cult to put on fi lm. and Alison. Madafferi says, ‘She’s such pages to explain what’s going on in her a wonderful character, I’d say I’ve taken head. In the fi lm you have ninety-fi ve • Provide some examples of how the the Yuk from the book and hopefully minutes and you just don’t have the scripting process for the fi lm modi- made her older and funnier, I hope.’ luxury of being able to do that. Saskia fi ed Alison’s character compared has the ability, that in ten seconds, she with her characterization in the • Do you think the two main char- can go through as many emotions and book by Robin Klein. acters in the fi lm (Erica and Alison) they all show on her face and so she’s • Refer to the characters of Erica are faithful to Robin Klein’s por- able to reach the audience and the au- and Alison to explain how casting trayal of them? Explain your ideas. dience accepts her vulnerability. She’s contributes to characterization. • Do you agree with Madafferi that able to make the fi lm work, because she got Yuk from the book but that main character has to be lovable. Casting—use of stars made her older and funnier? Why do you agree or disagree? Give • In what ways does Saskia Bur- • Read the press release (below) examples from the book and fi lm meister’s uniqueness capture the with a partner, then answer the to support your ideas. character of the awkward misfi t, questions. Erica (or not)? You might refer to a Producer, Elizabeth Howatt-Jackman range of qualities, for example: her 20 February 2004: Delta To Star In was concerned that the adaptation appearance, voice, body language, The New Flick Hating Alison Ashley of the character from page to screen gestures, facial expressions, man- would be diffi cult for any actor, and nerisms or acting ability to explain HAA Films are pleased to announce needed to be convincing, especially your ideas. that Delta Goodrem will be heading 8 People/organizations Why would they want the fi lm to be successful? Producers Investors Distributors The Movie Network Lead Actors TABLE 01 up the cast for Australian feature fi lm a great way to ease myself back into uted theatrically in Australia by Hoyts Hating Alison Ashley. Produced by work after such a long time away, who Distribution. Pay TV rights for Australia John Brousek (Wog Boy) and Elizabeth knows, perhaps Alison will inspire a have been secured by The Movie Howatt-Jackman, written by Christine song for the future as well! I am really Network while other investors include Madafferi and based on the much looking forward to further expanding Film Victoria, The Australian Children’s loved young adult’s novel by Robin my experiences and moving into the Television Foundation and the NSW Klein, Hating Alison Ashley is a com- unknown world of movies.’ Film and Television Offi ce. edy about the trials and tribulations of being a teenager, peer rivalry and dis- Currently in pre-production Hating Ali- from: http://www.allstarz. covering the value of true friendship. son Ashley will commence fi lming later org/~deltagoodrem/archives/feb.php this year in Melbourne. Producers John Delta Goodrem, who is known interna- Brousek and Elizabeth Howatt-Jack- - What clues are provided in the tionally as a multi-award-winning and man are pleased to welcome such a press release (above) about the multi-platinum-selling recording artist, tremendous talent to what will be a great target market for the fi lm version of is no stranger to acting having begun ensemble cast. ‘As producers our aim is Hating Alison Ashley? How does performing at the age of seven. Her to turn this classic Australian novel into this compare with the target audi- acting career has included a diverse a contemporary fi lm for today’s youth ence for the book? range of roles for both TV and theatre while remaining true to the characters - Make a table like Table 01 (above) including ‘A Country Practice’, ‘Hey and story which made the novel so listing all the people and organiza- Dad’, ‘GP’, ‘Neighbours’ and ‘The popular. With Delta in the title role we tions with some sort of interest Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe’. are well on the way to achieving this.’ in the success of the fi lm, Hating Having achieved such a rich and Alison Ashley. varied career at such a young age she On the announcement of the casting, - Why do you think Delta Goodrem can well relate to the script that has CEO of the Australian Film Financing was selected to play the role of enticed her back to the acting world. Corporation, Brian Rosen, said ‘As Alison Ashley? the fi nancier behind the project the - Explain how Delta Goodrem does ‘I have been offered quite a few roles FFC is very happy that the producers or does not meet expectations in over the past two years and whilst have secured one of Australia’s most portraying Alison Ashley. the timing for this movie is not ideal, popular music talents to be in the fi lm. I really felt a strong desire to accept This undoubtedly increases the chance Erica’s family the part of Alison Ashley. I adore the of the fi lm fi nding a wide audience, and novel and have an enormous respect is also an interesting cross-pollination From Yuk’s point of view her family is for both John and Elizabeth, both of between the fi lm and music industries.’ dysfunctional and most embarrassing. whom I am very much looking forward Yuk’s older sister, Valjoy (Rachael Car- to working with. The movie will be shot Hating Alison Ashley has been ac- pani), dresses in outrageous clothing, over a six week period and as I am quired for Australia and the UK by her brother Harley (Anthony Cleave) well on the road to recovery this will be Universal Pictures and will be distrib- attempts to make contact with aliens, 9 while her younger sister Jedda (Abigail television news on several different ability to explain your ideas. Gudgeon) spends most of her time TV stations for a week and notice • What do you think are the key roles believing she is a horse! how each one portrays the youth of Yuk’s mum in this fi lm? In other of today. Discuss whether the words how is her part important to Carpani found the role of the outra- portrayals are accurate and fair. the story? geously dressed, loud character of • Why is it important to her Mum Valjoy a real challenge, especially as it Yuk uses her imagination to escape that Erica learns to accept her as so different from her character on day-to-day life. Erica’s escapism is a family? McLeod’s Daughters. She says, concern for her Mum (Tracey Mann), who says that Yuk Mum met Lennie (Richard Carter) Valjoy is a very full-on character. through Parents Without Partners. She’s basically your typical rebellious … lives in her head. She’s got a great Although he is not actually a parent teenager with the added thing that imagination. I think that probably causes and despite Yuk’s antagonism, Lennie she’s also quite violent, she knows her more sadness because she can see becomes the father fi gure in the Yurkin karate and she takes great pleasure in how things can be better and she wants household. Carter describes Lennie as tormenting her sister both emotionally things to be better. Mum would like a lonely, quiet character in search of and physically—she likes to slam her things to be better but it can’t be better love and family and someone who can up against the walls. The three main and they make the best of their circum- provide the love and support that the things in her life are herself, of course, stances. I think [Yuk] is probably her Yurkin family seek. Carter says, ‘He’s boys and her fashion. greatest problem child because she just going to do a job—that’s keep that doesn’t fi t in and Erica is the one who is family together, as long as they want • Do you agree with Carpani that Val- really embarrassed about her family and him to. If he’s kind of heart, kind of joy is a ‘typical rebellious teenager’? Mum would like her not to be. spirit, looks after their mum and treats • Are the three main things in Valjoy’s them with respect, he shouldn’t have a life (self, boys, fashion) typical of • How do you think Erica views her rough ride of it.’ today’s teenagers? Provide evi- mum at the start of the fi lm and dence to support why you agree or then at the end of the fi lm? Why • Describe how the fi lmmakers disagree. You might gather evidence does she change her view? present Lennie. How have they from classmates or refer to media • Describe the mum presented by the created this character? Consider advertisements, or to content in fi lmmakers. How have they created use of the camera, setting, appear- teenage magazines or chat rooms. this character? Consider the use ance (wardrobe, make-up, hair), • What is your opinion about the way of the camera, setting, her appear- props, voice, dialogue and other Valjoy’s character might encour- ance (wardrobe, make-up and hair), sound, action including body lan- age adults to generalize about the props, voice, dialogue and other guage, gestures, facial expressions behaviour and attitudes of today’s sound, action including body lan- and mannerisms, casting and act- young people? guage, gestures, facial expressions ing ability to explain your ideas. • As a class, arrange to watch the and mannerisms, casting and acting • How do you think Erica views 10