• Pre-Visualisation

Pre-visualisation was carried out to analyse the feasibility of each piece in the above table. The concept of beats (represented as tally marks) was used to represent every change in visual (or shot) in the narrative. Each shot represents a new visualisation and hence more work. Existing characters, props and locations in the narrative were recorded. Responses regarding permissions were also noted down. From the exercise, we were able to understand the creative demands and feasibility of each piece keeping in mind our skills and capability. The final selected piece is ‘The Spider and The Fly’ due to the following supporting arguments.

- The work belongs to the Public Domain and hence is easier to adapt without running into legal obstacles.
- The work has moderate levels of shots, characters and locations, making it easier to work around.
- There is a very clear narrative and moral associated with the piece, making it easy for children to engage and understand.
- There is scope for creative adaptation in terms of interpretation.

Fig 3. Spider and The Fly - Previsualisation

Observation - moderate number of beats. A moderate number of characters and Locations
Permission - Not needed. Public Domain

• Scope of the ‘Detective’ Theme

An adaptation is only possible when there is creative reworking and reinterpretation of the literary piece. An adaptation can be defined as “a composition rewritten into a new form”[10]

In order to bring in this creative aspect, a variety of themes were brainstormed based on the existing structure of the piece. Following is the initial list of themes -

- A Puzzle/Riddle for the audience
- A Dollhouse Tale
- An Indian Context
- A Detective Story
- A Musical
- Metaphorical Interpretation

After analysing the scope of the themes, we decided that there was one particular theme that stood out - Detective Story as ‘The Spider and the Fly’ by Mary Howitt had good potential to be incorporated into the theme. We saw the opportunity to develop a sequel to the poem, where the fly is missing and a detective is following the trail which leads up to the spider.

The Spider and the Fly
Mary Howitt (1829)

"Will you walk into my parlour?" said a spider to a fly;
" 'Tis the prettiest little parlour that ever you did spy.
The way into my parlour is up a winding stair,
And I have many pretty things to shew when you are there."
"Oh no, no!" said the little fly, "to ask me is in vain,
For who goes up your winding stair can ne'er come down again."

"I'm sure you must be weary, with soaring up so high,
Will you rest upon my little bed?" said the spider to the fly.
"There are pretty curtains drawn around, the sheets are fine and thin;
And if you like to rest awhile, I'll snugly tuck you in."
"Oh no, no!" said the little fly, "for I've often heard it said,
They never, never wake again, who sleep upon your bed!"

Said the cunning spider to the fly, "Dear friend, what shall I do,
To prove the warm affection I've always felt for you?
I have, within my pantry, good store of all that's nice;
I'm sure you're very welcome—will you please to take a slice?"
"Oh no, no!" said the little fly, "kind sir, that cannot be,"
I've heard what's in your pantry, and I do not wish to see."

"Sweet creature!" said the spider, "you're witty and you're wise.
How handsome are your gauzy wings, how brilliant are your eyes!
I have a little looking-glass upon my parlour shelf,
If you'll step in one moment, dear, you shall behold yourself."
"I thank you, gentle sir," she said, "for what you're pleased to say,
And bidding you good morning now, I'll call another day."

The spider turned him round about, and went into his den,
For well he knew, the silly fly would soon come back again:
So he wove a subtle web, in a little corner, sly,
And set his table ready, to dine upon the fly.
Then he went out to his door again, and merrily did sing,
"Come hither, hither, pretty fly, with the pearl and silver wing;
Your robes are green and purple---there's a crest upon your head;
Your eyes are like the diamond bright, but mine are dull as lead."

Alas, alas! how very soon this silly little fly,
Hearing his wily, flattering words, came slowly flitting by;
With buzzing wings she hung aloft, then near and nearer drew,
Thinking only of her brilliant eyes, and green and purple hue:—
Thinking only of her crested head, poor foolish thing!—At last
Up jumped the cunning spider, and fiercely held her fast.

He dragged her up his winding stair, into his dismal den,
Within his little parlour—but she ne'er came out again
—And now, dear little children, who may this story read,
To idle, silly, flattering words, I pray you ne'er give heed:
Unto an evil counsellor, close heart, and ear, and eye,
And take a lesson from this tale, of the Spider and the Fly.

Detective stories can be broadly classified into two types - the “whodunnit” and the “howdunnit”. While both types depend on clues, crime scenes and witnesses, the whodunnit has the added element of suspects. Since our aim was to keep the story short and simple, so a child could easily follow it without getting confused, we decided to write a ‘howdunnit’.

• CHARACTERS - The poem has only two characters - the spider and the fly. Additionally, to build a detective story based on the poem, a detective character is required. Hence, we have the three main characters for the detective story:
   - Spider - He is the culprit who lured and captured the fly.
   - Fly - She is the victim of our story.
   - Detective - The hero of the story, the detective’s job is to find the missing fly and get the culprit behind bars.

• CLUES - Since the poem essentially describes the crime happening, it lays down some clues for us to begin building a detective story around. The poem lays emphasis on ‘winding stair’, ‘bed’, ‘pantry’ and ‘looking glass’, making these important clues to incorporate into the story.

• CRIME SCENE - The fly “ne’er came out again” from the spider’s den. Hence, the spider’s den is the crime scene.

• MORAL - While developing the sequel of the poem in the form of a detective story, it was important to retain the moral - “do not let yourself be manipulated by others who prey on your vanity”

Once the poem was broken down into elements according to the structure of a detective story, we further analysed the poem and drew insights that could be incorporated into the detective story. The following insights were carried through into the film:

• The spider clearly had a reputation, since the fly had already heard of him beforehand. His being an infamous character in the area could lead the detective to him, as a suspect. His reputation could be established through witnesses, newspapers or maybe through a suspicious business that he operates as a front.

• To retain the poem’s moral in the story, the detective could be narrating the story as a lesson to learn from the audience.

It was important to keep the puzzle simple yet interesting and intriguing. The child should not be overwhelmed by too many clues or confused by too complicated a solution.