So, you want to write your novel as a screenplay!
Well, good on you! But hey, Steven Spielberg hasn't rung you yet to discuss an offer and you really did think there would be more interest from those studio execs. Ok, let's just take a reality check! Unless you're a world bestselling author, Steven aint going to be ringing you, and as for those execs - your lovely letter suggesting your book would make a great film will most probably be languishing at the bottom of a secretary's rubbish bin and, if you're lucky, it will have been opened! Surprised? Don't be because the harsh facts with screen writing is that it's a constant struggle just to get your work submitted, let alone looked at. For starters, nearly all good production companies, I know, insist on being with an agent. As for getting commissioned and go to a shooting script, well, how long have you got?
But come on, let's be positive. If you're serious about adapting for the screen then, just like writing your novel, we all have to start somewhere.
Unfortunately, most novelists don't make good scriptwriters, mainly because it's a totally different writing process. They find it overly restrictive and invariably get too frustrated and don't produce what is needed from a script. Hence why most films based on a book are written by a screenwriter and not the author. But hey! Again, let's remain upbeat. Adapting can be fun and very rewarding.
Having a go at turning your book into a script will teach you a lot, which hopefully you can use in your future prose writing. You learn to become very disciplined with formula; how to describe action which shows and not just tells; how to strip out what is not necessary whilst still driving the plot forward, and the art of teasing with cliff hangers. Something else very beneficial is learning to condense down and analysis what is important to telling the story.
Being able to write with a cinema graphic slant, helps develop what you want the reader to see and this, in turn, makes writing dialogue more real.
So go on, why not have a try. Start by having a look at a few screenplays of books (there are loads of them on line) and then maybe download a free scriptwriting program, such as Celtx and have a play around. I'm always happy to help anyone through my experiences.
Next blog we'll look at how to do the boring but, believe me, essential stuff - formatting. Then perhaps we'll use and discuss some examples of good and bad scripting. In the meantime, let me leave you with your first challenge - The average film is roughly 110mins long and the rule of thumb is 1 page of script, in type 12 font, for 1 minute of filming. So, we've got approx. 110 pages to play with. 'Whoa! hang on.' I hear you cry, 'My novel is 390 pages long and even allowing for moving from 8" x 5" to A4 (or US letter) that's about 190 pages." Yep, like I've said, you're going to have to learn to condense. Have a think about, say your first 50 pages, and ask what has to stay because it drives the story and what could go?
Hope to see you again in my next blog.
Bye for now.
But come on, let's be positive. If you're serious about adapting for the screen then, just like writing your novel, we all have to start somewhere.
Unfortunately, most novelists don't make good scriptwriters, mainly because it's a totally different writing process. They find it overly restrictive and invariably get too frustrated and don't produce what is needed from a script. Hence why most films based on a book are written by a screenwriter and not the author. But hey! Again, let's remain upbeat. Adapting can be fun and very rewarding.
Having a go at turning your book into a script will teach you a lot, which hopefully you can use in your future prose writing. You learn to become very disciplined with formula; how to describe action which shows and not just tells; how to strip out what is not necessary whilst still driving the plot forward, and the art of teasing with cliff hangers. Something else very beneficial is learning to condense down and analysis what is important to telling the story.
Being able to write with a cinema graphic slant, helps develop what you want the reader to see and this, in turn, makes writing dialogue more real.
So go on, why not have a try. Start by having a look at a few screenplays of books (there are loads of them on line) and then maybe download a free scriptwriting program, such as Celtx and have a play around. I'm always happy to help anyone through my experiences.
Next blog we'll look at how to do the boring but, believe me, essential stuff - formatting. Then perhaps we'll use and discuss some examples of good and bad scripting. In the meantime, let me leave you with your first challenge - The average film is roughly 110mins long and the rule of thumb is 1 page of script, in type 12 font, for 1 minute of filming. So, we've got approx. 110 pages to play with. 'Whoa! hang on.' I hear you cry, 'My novel is 390 pages long and even allowing for moving from 8" x 5" to A4 (or US letter) that's about 190 pages." Yep, like I've said, you're going to have to learn to condense. Have a think about, say your first 50 pages, and ask what has to stay because it drives the story and what could go?
Hope to see you again in my next blog.
Bye for now.
No comments have been added yet.
