Masterpiece Theatre | Learning Resources

Introduction

What is a Masterpiece Theatre Book & Film Club?
For more than 30 years, Masterpiece Theatre has produced television programs of extraordinary quality and depth, many of which are based upon classic works of literature. Masterpiece Theatre now continues the tradition with new versions of Our Town; Goodbye, Mr. Chips; and Doctor Zhivago for the Fall 2003 season. These exciting new versions of familiar classics are rich with possibilities for discussion and make excellent selections for a book and film club.

The objective of a Masterpiece Theatre Book & Film Club is to gather people together to discuss works of literature and the way filmmakers have interpreted them. You can customize a Masterpiece Theatre Book & Film Club according to the interests of the group and your library's resources. It can be:

a traditional book club that reads and discusses different aspects of Our Town; Goodbye, Mr. Chips; and Doctor Zhivago
a film club in which members watch the Masterpiece Theatre films (and previous film versions if desired) and discuss their merits
a book and film club in which members read the book, watch the accompanying Masterpiece Theatre film, and meet to share their thoughts about the interpretation

Why Create a Masterpiece Theatre Book & Film Club?
A Masterpiece Theatre Book & Film Club will infuse new energy and excitement into your library's programming by capitalizing on the appeal of a well-known television series. For patrons, a Masterpiece Theatre Book & Film Club offers something new and different -- a book club with a contemporary cultural edge. Instead of discussing the programs around the water cooler at work or at the local coffee shop, people can gather and talk at your library.

Since these new versions of Our Town; Goodbye, Mr. Chips; and Doctor Zhivago are being broadcast for the first time, the fun of comparing and contrasting the new Masterpiece Theatre films with the books and/or previous film versions offers patrons a chance to be both literary and film critics. It may also inspire people to come to the library or join a discussion group for the first time.

Developing a Masterpiece Theatre Book & Film Club
As you decide what type of club would suit you and your patrons' needs, consider the resources, community interest, and amount of time you have to devote to this project. The following questions can help you determine which type of club is right for you.

What goals do you hope a Masterpiece Theatre Book & Film Club will achieve for your library? Are you trying to offer more options for existing patrons or are you trying to attract new library members? Once you've defined your goals you can map out the steps needed to attain them.
What resources can the library devote to this project? Consider staff time, funding, book availability, meeting locations, publicity, and audiovisual equipment.
Who is your audience -- new patrons, existing members, young adults, adults, senior citizens, or a combination of these groups? After you have identified an audience, you can adapt discussion questions, activities, and promotion strategies to appeal to the age group(s) you've chosen.
What is the focus of your club? Is it to encourage people to read and explore new genres and titles? Is it to analyze writing styles and filmmaking techniques? Once you've decided upon your focus, you can prepare accordingly by selecting from this guide the discussion questions, background information, and activities you'd like to use.
What support might local community partners offer: funding, publicity, volunteers, participants, or donations of food and materials? (See Community Partners.) Remember, you don't have to do it all alone.

For the past few years, local PBS stations have been running Masterpiece Theatre Book Clubs in their communities, either on their own or working with local partners. Before you organize a Masterpiece Theatre Book & Film Club in your library, check with your public broadcasting station to see if they have a book club already in place. For more information on the Masterpiece Theatre Book Clubs that are run through PBS stations, please visit the PBS/Masterpiece Book Club site.

Book & Film Club:
Book & Film Club Home | Introduction | Community Partners | Getting Started
The "Community Reads" Concept | Wakefield Reads...Our Town
Questions & Activities: Our Town | Questions & Activities: Goodbye, Mr. Chips
Questions & Activities: Doctor Zhivago | Behind the Scenes | Resources

Guides | Book Club | Timelines | Learning Links
Broadcast Schedule | Feature Library