Pathway: Narrative Voice in Orlando by Harriet Taberner

Initially, Sally Potter had the narrative of Orlando living each moment as the present. For instance Orlando in 1592, tells the story as if it were 1592; the Orlando in 1700 tells the story as if it were 1700, etc. However, later this changed and bore more resemblance to Virginia Woolf's prose. The film took on the structure of memories, the present being 1992. Therefore, the narrative of the film did not alter with the aging/ developing of character. The narrator of the film is the female mother Orlando, and thereby tone and language differs from the language of a young boy. In the part of "Death" we can see many differences between Potter's shooting script and the finalized version in her process of adapting Virginia Woolf's novel "Orlando".

Page 3 of general notes on Orlando, black printed text on A4 paper

Here, Sally Potter writes that the whole structure of the story is based upon memories. Thereby, the narrative must be set in the present, in this case in 1992. This idea is evolved in the final script and not in the shooting script.

Page 7 of general notes on Orlando, black printed text on A4 paper

In this part, Sally Potter contemplates the tone of the voice-overs. Initially, the voice overs were far more relaxed and contemporary, often quite simplistic sentence structures and word choice to capture the youthfulness of Orlando. This changed slightly in the final script as the narrative structure also changed.

Black and white A4 computer printed with handwritten annotations, bound into book, Paper,Orlando Sally Potter’s Shooting Script page 1 front

In this speech Orlando is setting the scene. He talks about the upcoming events and gives an explanation for them. The narrative is clearly then, 1592. The sentences short, many unfinished which exhibit an eagerness and optimism. The camera address is clearly a pathway through which Potter can directly portray the emotions and thoughts of Orlando.

Black and white A4 Text Document, Digital, Finished screenplay as published by Faber and Faber

Much more similarity with Virginia Woolf's prose than the former one. Narrative is definitely set in the present moment i.e 1992. Thereby the audience realizes that what they are about to witness is a serious of memories. Instead of painting Orlando's emotions of that particular time (that late summer's afternoon beneath the oak tree), we are met with an overarching theme of Orlando's desire for company. This shifts the emphasis of the story more to one of quest for love. In Potter's original script there is no hint of this.

Black and white A4 computer printed with handwritten annotations, bound into book, Paper,Orlando Sally Potter’s Shooting Script page 5 front

Again portrays the lightheartedness and honesty of this particular Orlando.

Black and white A4 Text Document, Digital, Finished screenplay as published by Faber and Faber

What does this exactly mean? "Very interesting person". It could mean a number of things- it is ambiguous. Exhibits greater similarity to Virginia Woolf's prose: she never spelt out how Orlando felt towards the Queen, at the most we realize he has some compassion for her, but that is all. Sally Potter here is not so frank about his emotions; her perception of Orlando has changed- this Orlando is more mysterious, more reserved than her previous depiction.

Black and white A4 computer printed with handwritten annotations, bound into book, Paper,Orlando Sally Potter’s Shooting Script page 6 front

Another example of Orlando's temperament: his thirst for adventure, for excitement.

Black and white A4 computer printed with handwritten annotations, bound into book, Paper,Orlando Sally Potter’s Shooting Script page 7 front

Here we get a fleeting glance of panic. An insight into Orlando's emotions. Does he want this? Or is this the last thing he wants?

Black and white A4 Text Document, Digital, Finished screenplay as published by Faber and Faber

The above glance is erased. We have no insight into Orlando's feelings. More like the book.

Black and white A4 computer printed with handwritten annotations, bound into book, Paper,Orlando Sally Potter’s Shooting Script page 8 front

This part is cut out of the final copy. The original puts a lot more emphasis on character portrayal and uses the camera asides as a means of humour. This works when the narrative moves beside the chain of events. However, once Sally Potter changed her narrative stance and placed it firmly at one point in time, this speech had to be got rid of. The successful, independent woman Orlando in 1992, would not have said the same thing as the young, innocent boy Orlando in 1592.