This website is dedicated to the Duke University course “Adapting Literature, Producing Film” taught by Professor and Emmy Award-winning filmmaker, Dante James. The course was designed as hands-on experience in the adaptation of literature into a dramatic short film.

For the class, Professor James chose to adapt Charles W. Chesnutt's short story, “The Doll.” Students were involved in every stage of the process, from giving feedback on the script to providing hands-on, on-set assistance at the film shoot in Annapolis, Maryland.

Here you can explore the different facets of this unique educational experience at Duke, learn more about "The Doll" production, and the incredible filmmakers (and students) behind it.