How Can You Modernize a Fairy Tale For Film and TV?
Take an idea from the public domain and give it an update for the new century.
One of the most challenging parts of being a writer is constantly coming up with original ideas. You can feel extra pressure to be inventive and develop your voice. There are many ways to shake these pressurized slumps, but I find that the best way is to work on an adaptation.
You get the backbone of the story, and you can flesh the rest of the original parts out on your own, allowing you the freedom to dream big.
Still, it's not easy getting your hands on IP. That's where the public domain comes into play, a collection of work you can use for free. Lucky for us, in it is almost every fairy tale you've heard about (and then some).
Modernizing a fairy tale for film and television involves a creative process that goes beyond simply updating the setting or characters. It's an artful blend of respecting the original story while also making it relevant and engaging for contemporary audiences.
Let's look at how you can tackle this adapted work yourself below.
10 Ways to Modernize a Fairy Tale
The reason I love fairy tales so much is that they usually come with great archetypes for characters, as well as ever-relevant themes and classically clear beginnings and endings.
No matter which story you intend to tell, you have to sit and adjust every aspect of the fairy tale to the tone you want for your adaption.
Are you adding comedy, drama, horror? Do you want the setting to be in the modern world, a distant past, or perhaps a fantastical kingdom?
Start with big changes and then continue to sculpt the little things—an inverted pyramid of your own adaption.
See below for a guide that will help fine tune your process.
1. Update the Setting
One of the most straightforward ways you can modernize a fairy tale is to change its setting. Classic fairy tales, often set in undefined medieval or ancient times, can be reimagined in a modern-day context, or even a futuristic setting.
2. Redefine Characters
Modern audiences often look for well-rounded, complex characters. Fairy tale adaptations can offer deeper character development, providing backstories and motivations that are not present in the original tales.
This includes transforming character tropes (like, say, the common fool or the evil stepmother) into more nuanced, relatable figures.
3. Incorporate Diverse Perspectives
Traditional fairy tales often lack diversity. Modern adaptations have the opportunity to incorporate characters of different races, ethnicities, genders, and sexual orientations.
This not only makes the story more inclusive, but can also add new dimensions and interpretations to the original story.
4. Alter the Narrative Structure
Modern storytelling techniques can be used to alter the linear narrative structure of traditional fairy tales.
This might include non-linear storytelling, multiple viewpoints, or even interactive elements in the case of digital adaptations.
5. Address Contemporary Themes
One of the most significant ways to modernize a fairy tale is to infuse it with contemporary themes and issues.
This could mean exploring topics like gender equality, environmentalism, or social justice, which can resonate with today's audiences and provide deeper layers of meaning to the story.
6. Utilize Modern Filmmaking Techniques
Advancements in filmmaking technology allow creators to bring fairy tales to life in ways that were not possible before.
This includes using CGI to create magical and fantastical elements, employing innovative cinematography, or even experimenting with different genres, such as turning a fairy tale into a thriller or a science fiction story.
7. Balance Nostalgia and Innovation
While modernizing a fairy tale, it's important to strike a balance between innovation and nostalgia. Retaining certain iconic elements or scenes from the original tale can provide a sense of familiarity and comfort to the audience, while the modern twists keep the story fresh and engaging.
8. IncorporateTransmedia Storytelling
Modern adaptations can extend beyond film and TV to include interactive media like video games, virtual reality experiences, and social media storytelling. This transmedia approach can create a more immersive and engaging experience for the audience.
9. Add Humor and Self-Awareness
A clever way to modernize a fairy tale is to infuse it with humor, particularly a self-aware or meta style of comedy that acknowledges and subverts fairy tale tropes.
This approach can involve characters who are conscious of their roles in a fairy tale, satirical twists on classic elements, or humorous references to other well-known stories.
10. Promote Empowerment and Agency
Modern audiences often seek stories where characters, especially those traditionally portrayed as passive or victimized, have agency and empowerment.
This can be particularly impactful in the case of female characters, transforming the classic damsel in distress into a proactive, dynamic individual. This shift not only updates the story but also aligns it with contemporary values surrounding independence and self-determination.
Let me know what you think in the comments.
