Exploring intertextuality in Sally Potter's 'Orlando' (1992)
Understanding of the original text and author: If any of the 'true' essence of the original work is to be kept in an adaptive process, it is important that the adapter has a degree of respect for the original text and its author. Through Potter's work and comments, her understanding and passion for Woolf's Orlando is evident; in her archived typed notes she shows her attempt to 'think [her]self into Virginia Woolf's consciousness' (qtd in Cook and Dodd, 223) and questions what Woolf might have'written to have brought the story... up to 1992', highlighting her desire 'to be true to Woolf's work.
Understanding of the original text and author: If any of the 'true' essence of the original work is to be kept in an adaptive process, it is important that the adapter has a degree of respect for the original text and its author. Through Potter's work and comments, her understanding and passion for Woolf's Orlando is evident; in her archived typed notes she shows her attempt to 'think [her]self into Virginia Woolf's consciousness' (qtd in Cook and Dodd, 223) and questions what Woolf might have'written to have brought the story... up to 1992', highlighting her desire 'to be true to Woolf's work.
In Woolf's 'Orlando' itself the key differences between the image as described and the image as seen physically is highlighted; 'green in nature is one thing, green in literature another' (p13). Pictorial realisation of the literary text must occur in order to project its story to screen, and thus Potter is given the task, as director, to 'find a visual equivalent to [the] creative use of language and narrative form' (Leitch 2007: 62) that is in the novel. She does this by placing emphasis on the filmic techniques that are required for this 'cinematic realisation' to take place. In her presentation book she outlines specific areas that are components that need to be taken into account for a visual transference to be achieved successfully; those of Light, Composition, Colour, Architecture, Costume, Effects and Sound.
Visual novel: Orlando is a novel which has a poetic and filmic resonance to it and is thus a powerful hypertext from which to work. Potter describes, in her presentation book, how 'the underlying themes of androgyny and immortality, love, loss and language are all manifested visually and symbolically in a feast of imagery and ideas'. She comments that there is a 'sensual, visual feel for the details' that 'makes the book eminently cinematic' and remembers 'watching' the novel 'in [her] mind's eye, as if it were a film' in her first reading of it.
A useful bridging step in the move from text to visual realisation can be the use of the painted image which can be altered and discussed amongst artistic collaborators on a film production until a completed image is agreed on; here a process of ‘concretization, actualization’ (Stam 68) can take place.
Visual realisation- from imagination to paper, paper to screen
Visual realisation- from imagination to paper, paper to screen
Orlando as a story that spans across centuries in which the estate of Knole House and Orlando's love for it is a prominent feature throughout. This stems from Woolf's own fondness of the real historical place of residence of her friend and lover, Vita-Sackville West, on whom she based the character Orlando. She describes it poetically in her diary, providing a sense of history and visuals colliding through time; 'All the centuries seemed lit up, the past expressive, articulate; not dumb and forgotten; but a crowd of people stood behind, not dead at all; not remarkable;.... and so we reach the days of Elizabeth quite easily' (Briggs 2006:). Knole house is intrinsically intertwined with Orlando's journey and through it, remains still and constant but journeying with her to the present. Its powerful presence in both its historical reality, and in Woolf's novel, is represented in Potter\'s adaption of Orlando. The visual impact can be seen in the photograph and Potter re-creates its allure by filming at Hatfield House, a location which reflects the architectural beauty of the place it represents.
Research into fitting location that would display grandeur of Knole House- importance of displaying powerful presence of house in Orlando's story.
Research into fitting location that would display grandeur of Knole House- importance of displaying powerful presence of house in Orlando's story.
Importance of realistic setting and costume- realism essential in setting up Orlando's journey through different historical periods