Ghost World and Why Adapting Comics is Hard

Рет қаралды 22,868

Күн бұрын

In which I dig into comics as a medium, and why Ghost World adapted comics to film the right way.
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0:00 What is Ghost World?
0:32 Unconventional Teen Movie/Comics Adaptation
1:53 Comics as a Medium
4:07 Ghost World the Comic
5:09 Ghost World the Movie
6:29 Similarities and Differences
7:22 I Love Enid/Thora Birch
7:56 The Moral of Ghost World, How Each Medium Communicates It
Ghost World is unconventional for a comic book movie. In this video essay/analysis I try to breakdown why it's a perfect example of adapting comics to film. Looking at the movie, its source material, as well as Scott McCloud's Understanding Comics, I talk about what makes the medium of comics so unique. It's a challenge to adapt it to film, despite the fact that many modern movies are based on comics.
The moral of Ghost World? Sticking to a story's theme and characters is much more important than replicating the plot or serving "page accuracy." Ghost World is about the trap of ironic detachment, and how that stops one Enid Coleslaw from finding purpose in her life. The cure? A healthy dose of sincerity. That core is present in both the comic and the movie, and that's why they both work so well. The Criterion edition of this movie is beautiful by the way, definitely the best way to watch it.
Ghost World video essay, Ghost World analysis, I love the nunchuck guy, I love Thora Birch, review, breakdown, I know these aren't tags but oh well, nunchuck guy, comic book movies, steve buscemi. Love ya
#VideoEssay #Criterion #Film #2000sNostalgia

Пікірлер: 76

@timwright4263 2 жыл бұрын

A hundred directors would have made a hundred different versions of Ghost World. No director could have made a more perfect adaptation than Terry Zwigoff. Enid Coleslaw had to be Thora Birch.

@ItsGregKon 2 жыл бұрын

Agreed, so happy this movie was made the way it was.

@byMRTNjournals 3 ай бұрын

Totally agree. Scarlett Johansson made a good normie girl that's easy to forget years before she got big.

@hurricanerae 3 жыл бұрын

This film single handedly got me into small press comics. It hit hit me hard when I watched this the summer after my freshman year of college.

@ItsGregKon 3 жыл бұрын

It's a great gateway into the weirder side of comics

@hurricanerae 3 жыл бұрын

@@ItsGregKon Yeah. I was familiar with titles like Preacher and Fables, but had no idea comics could be like Ghost World. I went on to find so many fantastic artists.

@stargirl8444 2 жыл бұрын

@@hurricanerae Can you reccomend any?

@55tranquility 2 ай бұрын

Same here, it was on TV and i started watching it when I flicked onto it and it was the first scene with Norman. I was transfixed and couldn’t stop thinking about it afterwards. I ordered the DVD and that was it, massive fan. I didn’t even know it was based on a comic, so when i found out that was when I became a massive Dan Clowes fan I had never read comics like it. Rebecca and Enid’s relationship is brilliantly represented in the film while the film is quite different its also the same - Rebecca pulling away as she starts to engage in adult life, wanting a real relationship with Josh, a job, money and an apartment while Enid clings to her teen angst. Rebecca finds out the same people they like are actually annoying and dysfunctional when you are forced to engage with them on their terms rather than as observers. Brilliant

@luckyvanilla388 2 жыл бұрын

That movie is a true gem

@ItsGregKon 2 жыл бұрын

It is so good!

@MattHallCollections 3 жыл бұрын

Okay so before I fall victim to being ironic like the characters in Ghost World, thank you so mich for the generous shoutout and awesome video!! This is easily one of my favourites that you have done!!!!!

@pontcanna 2 жыл бұрын

One of my favourite films. I read everything I can find on Ghost World, happy that so much attention was given to it recently (20th anniversary and all). Nice job with the video - happy that you're Canadian to boot :)

@josiefischer9359 3 жыл бұрын

this is one of my fav movies and I’ve been waiting for someone to do a video essay on it so this made me happy

@ItsGregKon 3 жыл бұрын

That makes me so happy to hear!😁 Agreed, one of my all time favs

@bryanriggs9639 2 жыл бұрын

Ghost World means so much to me. Just perfect for the time and place I grew up in and I even got to watch Daniel Clowes do panels at SDCC before it turned into a clusterf***.

@ItsGregKon 2 жыл бұрын

That is so cool! SDCC must have been so fun back when it was chill and not just a massive advertisement lol

@AllMediaReviewsPodcast 7 ай бұрын

same. Favorite book and film for me. I did get to meet him when he did a Q&A and book signing for Patience a few years ago, and also saw some of the filming of Wilson in my hometown.

@slopdoge 3 жыл бұрын

I watched the movie a while ago and really liked it, especially the Seymour plot. I recently bought the comic and I also enjoyed it, but was left wondering why the movie took the story about the personal ad and expanded on it the way it did, and found this video. Good points on the characterization of Enid and what she was searching for in life, I've been left with a better understanding of both the comic and the film.

@ItsGregKon 3 жыл бұрын

So happy you liked the video!😊 It's such a great comic, and a great adaptation.

@trexinvert 2 жыл бұрын

You know it "could" have been worse. Did you read the "sample script" in the book(the special edition)? it takes the stupid Seymour love triangle to the absolute ridiculousness. I'm glad it was "cut" from the final movie. Also, in the script Seymour get's fired from his job for allowing an old racist company marketing poster to fall into the hands of Enid who unwittingly enters it into an art show. Ridiculous. However, the worse thing about the movie/book contradiction is the stupid opening bollywood musical. Portraying the Enid Coleslaw is an eclectic international cultured teenager. No man. Enid is product of crappy step mothers and despises the materialism of her peers. Enid is fkn Punk Rock!!!

@pankuneko186 Жыл бұрын

@@trexinvert I never read the comic but I thought the beginning scene of the Bollywood movie and her dancing the choreogher to it was more of self discovery or a phase. She even ask Seymore for any 60s Bollywood sound track before opening up to his interest of records.

@Fusion1996 2 жыл бұрын

Watching this right after dropping out of college right after highschool hit me hard.

@byMRTNjournals 3 ай бұрын

Try watching when you're in your late 30s. That bus stop hits hard

@user-jm1kt2zy5m 2 жыл бұрын

the people who rate this movie very poorly in Letterboxd should watch this.

@MattHallCollections 3 жыл бұрын

Based on a comic, Steve Buscemi, sexy voice reading the quotes, okay you got me. I'll check this movie out.

@ItsGregKon 3 жыл бұрын

Who could that voice be?? 🤔

@MattHallCollections 3 жыл бұрын

@@ItsGregKon I don't know but he sounds like Morgan Freeman

@themangoman9315 2 жыл бұрын

It also has David cross

@l_f_k8882 3 жыл бұрын

You’re very underrated

@ItsGregKon 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@byMRTNjournals 3 ай бұрын

Absolutely astonishing movie. Enid Coleslaw is probably the most relatable character for me. And she's played by my childhood/teenage TV crush

@nursemain3174 2 жыл бұрын

This is one of my favourite movies of all time but it’s so sad

@HauntFreak13 4 күн бұрын

I love this movie so damn much. Watched it so many times in high school.

@ednbo Жыл бұрын

movie is epic! music makes alot too

@hazeljane3034 Жыл бұрын

Really awesome video!

@Chippey12 3 жыл бұрын

Finally got around to watching this. Definitely not my style, but its good to watch something outside my wheelhouse once in a while. Meandering through life maybe felt a bit too dull and/or real for me, but I love the metaphor of Norman on the bench and how it ties into Enid's journey; also, I love me an ambiguous ending.

@ItsGregKon 3 жыл бұрын

That's fair, it's a weird one for sure! I'm a sucker for weirdos wandering through life movies😂 Agreed though, love that ending too

@isolated101 2 жыл бұрын

Wow, excellent video and review!

@ItsGregKon 2 жыл бұрын

Much appreciated!

@abouteverything2654 Ай бұрын

I wish they would of made part 2. Thats how good this movie is.

@empty_ellie7538 6 ай бұрын

just watched this movie last night and i was so amazed by how unique it was i also didn’t see in the beginning that it was based on a comic so when you went into that i was so interested. i never thought about the black part in between comics and how u can see the past now and future. CRAZYYY i’ve read so much manga and never thought of that once

@rbdriftin 2 жыл бұрын

Fantastic video. You've got yourself another subscriber.

@ItsGregKon 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Rob! Welcome aboard

@stargirl8444 2 жыл бұрын

I thought this video wouldve had at least 100k views! it dwserves more recognitiion ur doing a great job

@ItsGregKon 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching and commenting😊 More on the way!

@qerqeqg.9255 3 жыл бұрын

fantastically produced video essay and amazing movie

@ItsGregKon 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much! I worked really hard on this one and I'll be making more videos like it. Glad the Ghost World fans are finding it😊

@GrandSlamSilver Жыл бұрын

Great video.

@REDONEMEDIA3956 Жыл бұрын

informative video.. well done

@Whyaeed 7 ай бұрын

Ghost World is one of my favorite stories / comics / movies! So good it went past good and back to good forever

@michealking7707 18 күн бұрын

Your video is a masterpiece 😊

@jironthunder7519 2 ай бұрын

You made me think of Creepshow in adaptation of a comic to a movie. I saw the move first then read the book. It comes off out of order and detached in each chapter

@gmanz8487 2 жыл бұрын

After watching the movie, something has been on my mind for awhile. Did Enid have a mom? Did she die? Did she abandon Enid and her dad? Is that the reason why Enid is so cynical and bitter?

@shenanigans3710 Жыл бұрын

The absent mother is one of the ghosts in Ghostworld. I think your instinct is quite right: something made Enid angry, and I think the absent mother is key.

@guy197 9 ай бұрын

Illuminating analysis. One of my favorite movies.

@Luka1180 3 жыл бұрын

I think if Watchmen didn’t miss the political statements and their meanings, like the stuff found in the prose sections for instance, it could’ve been PERFECT, but only with this painstakingly recreated imageries.

@ItsGregKon 3 жыл бұрын

It's true, the visuals alone are top notch!

@Madbandit77 Жыл бұрын

My problem with the criticism against Watchmen is NO ONE has fully explained what's the point of the original mini-series that the movie supposedly missed. Is it that superheroes are impractical in the real world? Then it's not much of a point if there's no sense of hope, be it real or imaginary, in the world. Ghost World (great film) can get away being a pure adaptation of a comic book because it's not a superhero story that appeals to those not deeply entrenched in comic books Watchmen is, albeit the many sociopolitical forces present in the story, giving it a dark, satirical edge.

@nicolasacunaluongo4217 8 ай бұрын

Thank you. It is awesome to find great content on the web. Right now it is not so easy. Great movie. I´m reading the comic right now. So true what you said about watchmen crap adaptation. And over all the interesting topic you talked, I definitely go to check out Scott Mcloud comic, essay study book.. Really great video.

@PatrickSantos-sn8ox 9 ай бұрын

Whenever I was in Austin I would get a copy of The Chronicle ....and always went to the funnies and read Ghost World......small pleasures.

@THEDONTTELLSHOW 3 жыл бұрын

Great work. I felt that the film version tied together disparate elements from the comic book perfectly. I hadn't really thought about this film as a search for sincerity. I get now why I love it like I do haha it's something I think about everyday, the layers of irony artists hide behind in order to never reach their hearts and be sincere (I'm looking at you Bo Burnham). In fact, these thoughts are so seeped in me that I dream about it. One time I dreamt I was waiting for a train with a camera in my hand and Werner Herzog appeared, dressed as a homeless man. He said to me: Werner - "I have some advice for you...if you really, truly wish to terrify, you must show to your audience what it is that they truly truly fear" Me - "Like terrorism?" (Dumb response, conscious me wouldn't have said that...I would have said nothing or mumbled incoherently) Werner - "No my son, like sincerity"

@ItsGregKon 3 жыл бұрын

Totally agreed, it can be risky to be sincere as an artist but I always prefer art that is sincere. Probably why I keep coming back to irony/sincerity on this channel. Also the dream you describe sounds beautiful and I can hear Herzog saying that so clearly in my head😂

@ta3-mnp4rk4 Жыл бұрын

Love the Liquid Swords beat

@ItsGregKon Жыл бұрын

One of the best albums of all time

@blsabjflkdsafjb5768 2 ай бұрын

dont forget the oceans films and of course scott pilgrim

@AllMediaReviewsPodcast 7 ай бұрын

I love Ghost World to death. Enjoy everything Clowes has done. Another Graphic Novelist I really appreciate is Bryan K Vaughan, who I know Clowes was a big influence on. Unfortunately, none of his fantastic Graphic Novels have been successfully adapted to Hollywood at this point. Y: The Last Man and Paper Girls were made into TV series recently, but just didn't catch on. Ex Machina though is supposed to be adapted to a feature length film starring Oscar Isaac. But it's been in a long delay unfortunately. The Runaways is something he co-created, and did have a 3 season run on HULU to mixed reviews. So, I'm unsure if Brian K Vaughan's work was meant to work in Hollywood. I hope it can, but it may just need the right creative team behind it. Y: The Last Man especially as it was something many wanted to be made for years. But sadly the TV series seemed to go through development conflicts forever. And it felt rushed and was poorly marketed when it came out. I really think if it's given another shot with the right showrunner and cast, it could be done successfully.

@28daysleitor Жыл бұрын

Ghost World is the Velma and Daphne spin-off we deserve.

@chocolatemilk679 4 ай бұрын

I think i wouldve enjoyed this movie a lot more if the acting performances were better. Im not sure if it was simply the direction or script that lead to this but i felt so much stiffness with the two main leads. Buscemi was the bright spot here and so was nunchuck guy lol but other than that it felt really phoned in

@wsudance85 2 жыл бұрын

It's basically Daria.

@Madbandit77 Жыл бұрын

Hear, hear.

@shenanigans3710 Жыл бұрын

I think you'll find that Daria is basically Ghostworld

@treytison1444 7 ай бұрын

"Watchmen completely missed the deeper meaning" But how though? Isn't a pretty much 1:1 adaptation incapable of missing the point? Almost all the important dialogue moments from the comic are in the movie.

@enilenis 26 күн бұрын

Every movie has a comic. It's called a "storyboard". When starting off with comic books, you have half of your planning work done already. You just have to tweak it to match the budget. If rework is in the budget - perfect, but if production chose the comic book to save money on having to invent the plot, then it's bad news for the end product. It all comes across. What comic book films ever need is a person who cares about what he's making. Most of the time, it's just a job with a paycheck. They don't pick the best directors for best films. There's been this recent fiasco with Napoleon, because Riddley Scott publicly admitted he didn't care about historical accuracy. Why make a bio epic then? Why make something you hate? The audience feels it. So, it's not about how something is done, but whether the only motivation for making a film was money. As for split-screen and panel editing - I tried it awhile ago. And it's very hard. You have to time your whole cut, and guide the eye, so that it spends half the time on each split, as if the eye lingers on the wrong panel for the entire duration of the cut, the gag is lost. Split screen editing is like the next Tetris level in terms of difficulty. And the brain gets tired quickly, trying to keep up. It does not work continuously. You can only do split screens for about a minute, before it starts to feel annoying. Eyes don't like jumping across the image. They like moving smoothly.

@phinny5608 Жыл бұрын

The movie itself (acting, directing, writing, etc) was solid, but the characters irritated me so much I had to watch it in 5-10 minute pieces. Dana and Josh were the only characters I could stand because they were, in their way, voices of reason for the really toxic main three. (Granted, Rebecca was a little better towards the end.) Again, solid filmmaking but I just couldn't stand the characters.