The Wizard Of Oz Community Project

This project originally came to light in a classroom in Hertfordshire (UK).
A student was writing an essay about the journey from the original Wonderful Wizard of Oz, to present date.
In their writing and exploring of the novel with family and friends, they found that the story of the yellow brick road brought out an almost childlike quality in everyone.
No matter the age or upbringing of the person, each one felt the tale impacted their lives in some way. Be it from reading of a new and exciting world, or seeing the MGM adaptation in colour for the first time.
Most recently of course, people can be found to relate the tale to the Broadway musical of Wicked or perhaps the original and previously unseen cast set-up of The Wiz.
The story meant something to every person, no matter what form their memory of it took.
The idea of this project is simple.
Just as the legacy of Oz takes many forms, we invite you to show us what L.Frank Baums novel means to you.
Your video response can be as simple or as creative and unique as you like.
So if you have a story, opinion, or just want to help us pin down that magic quality that the Wizard of Oz creates, please post your video response within 2 weeks of this video being posted in order for it to be considered for the final project video and pass the link on to others.
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Stuck for ideas? Heres a few questions to get you thinking:
Do you think the text was originally written as a form of propaganda perhaps?
What do you think to the idea that some schools ban The Wonderful Wizard of Oz?
Do you think the film, literary tributes and other media related reinventions keep the moral messages of Oz alive, or white wash them in favour of entertainment?
How do you think, if at all, the realms of the Munchkins or Emerald City perhaps are reflected in todays racial issues?
Do you think the story will ever die out?
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(For those of you responding in other languages, please provide on screen translation.)

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[RoseRed12393]

There is no doubt that The Wizard of Oz has affected all of us in some way, shape or form. The most common form that people have come across WoO would be the 1939 movie which is still very close to many people's(as well as my) heart. Many lovers of the books may argue that the movie as well as other versions(ex. Wicked) take away from the book when in fact it could lead others to find the originals and read them, it sure has for me.

[amandarines1979]

Well, my mom and I used to watch the wizard of oz together almost everyday. I Love the Wizard of oz and Wicked the musical very much. The novels are spectacular. Unfortunately my mother never got to see Wicked. But I know she would have loved it!

[Georgie1954]

I love the original books, adore the 1939 movie which I've seen since I was 4 yrs old. I ddn't like the sci fi channel's take on it--just horrible! If there are new movies coming out I'm willing to see them. I love the moral of the story, well for me, is that happiness is found right in your own backyard and you can't run away from your troubles and responsibilities.

[aitha791]

I love the Wizard of Oz, it never fails to cheer me up when I'm down and I think adaptations are a good thing. I love wicked and Tinman and the 1939 movie. I don't think they necessarily detract from the books but lead people to them.

Oz will always have a special place in my heart.

[aitha791]

There are two movies rumored to be released around 2010. One's the CGI film you mentioned which is meant to be a sequel to the 1939 movie but resemble the books more. And the other will be based on 'Dark Oz' a comic based on the Wizard of Oz.

[pinkunicorn123]

It often seems that authors walk a very fine line between entertainment and education. We seldom see those who can incorperate both so effortlessly, and i think it is that that keeps the WWoO alive today.

[budcaruso]

I have strong memories of the movie as a kid and it was actually one of my Son's favorite movies! He knew every dance step and all of the words for every character! His favorite was the Tin Man. I actually had to go to the hardware store and buy a tin funnel, punch holes in it and attach a string so he could imitate the Tin Man when he watched the movie.

[budcaruso]

Broader scope of impact on the story is the affect the music has had on people. Eric Clapton performs Somewhere Over the Rainbow at just about every show he performs. It is probably one of the most covered tunes in modern history.

The imagery may look very cheap and unrealistic compared to today's standards but as a child I think it allowed all of us to use our imagination envisioning Oz as possibly being a real place. If Oz could be real who knows what other cultures could be possible.

[SoVJasper]

It would seem that the story get a lot less public attention in the modern day though. It's a long time since its hey-dey in the late 50's/early 60's where it gained an annual spot on US TV as a Christmas special. Frankly, kids these days are probably more familiar with the Teletubbies than The WoO, but is something that time and time again keeps recurring into the entertainment spotlight.