Behind the Scenes of Grand Theft Hamlet: Insights from Co-Directors on Gaming and Adaptation

The journey of creating Grand Theft Hamlet has been a remarkable one, culminating in its release on the streaming platform MUBI. Following numerous accolades and positive reception from both the gaming and Shakespearean audiences, the co-directors, Sam Crane and Pinny Grylls, participated in a Discord press event to convey the knowledge and perspectives they acquired from interacting with other players during the development of their unique project.

According to Grylls, engaging with the gaming community provided invaluable lessons. She emphasized the profound impact players had on their understanding of the game’s dynamics. They identified themselves as novice gamers and expressed how their interactions opened up new avenues of learning and creativity.

Grylls highlighted a particular player named Nora, who already had extensive experience in Grand Theft Auto Online. Nora's contributions were significant, as she shared various role-playing techniques and offered insights into gameplay. Her unique viewpoint on Hamlet and Shakespeare enriched the team’s perspective, proving to be both fascinating and enlightening.

Crane noted that within their filmmaking team, there were several accomplished gamers that aided in navigating the complexities of the game. Mark Oosterveen and Jerry O’Connor, both avid players since the inception of GTA, played pivotal roles in providing guidance. Their amassed in-game wealth was essential, enabling the team to acquire various vehicles necessary for creatively staging their adaptation of Hamlet in unconventional settings, including blimps and yachts.

While Grylls managed most of the filming by depending on the collective resources contributed by others, Crane successfully generated some in-game currency, enabling him to purchase luxury cars and even a yacht by the project's finish.

Viewers can now explore Grand Theft Hamlet, which is streaming on MUBI. Take a look at the trailer shared below: