4 Simple Steps to Adapt a Novel to Screenplay
"Never judge a book by its movie." - J.W. Eagan
Spilling over with confidence, assume, you've just signed the check purchasing the rights to adapt a fabulous, but little known novel to screenplay form. Out of the blue, panic sets in. "What was I thinking? How the devil am I going to convert this 500 plus page novel to a 110-page screenplay?"
How does one pour ten gallons of story into a one-gallon pet-bottle? Nothing to worry or get panic. There are 4 simple but challenging steps to do this creative task. Let’s take a look at these challenging steps when adapting a novel to screenplay form.
Step One: Length
Screenplays usually run 100 – 110 pages. The ideal length for a screenplay by today’s industry standards is 110 pages. Rarely some screenplays run longer than 120 pages. Figuring one page of a screenplay equals one minute of movie, a 120-page screenplay translates into a two-hour motion picture. Much longer than that will always become a risky one in so many ways, unless it happens to be a Star Wars or a Titanic.
It took the author of your source novel 500 pages to tell the story. How can you possibly tell the same story in 110 pages? And the answer to this question is no joke. "You just can't! And don't even try!"
Instead, look to capture the essence and soul of the story. Determine the through-line and major sub-plot of the story and fiercely cut everything else.
Here "through-line" means, WHO (protagonist) wants WHAT (goal), and WHO (antagonist) or WHAT (some other force) opposes him or her? It helps to pose the through-line as a question.
One workable technique is to read the book, set it aside for a few days, and then see what you still remember of the story's through-line. After all, your goal is to excerpt the most important and memorable parts of the novel. What you remember best and what’s most important certainly meet that criterion.
Now, develop your outline, treatment or "beat sheet" accordingly.
Step Two: Voice
Many novels are presented in the first person. The temptation to adapt such, using tons of voice overs, should be resisted. While limited voice-overs can be effective when appropriately done, remember that audience pay the price of admission to watch a 'motion picture’ (stuff you can 'see’). If they wanted to 'hear’ a story they'd visit their grand parents or perhaps they'd buy a book on tape.
The old screenwriting aphorism, "Show, don't tell!" applies more than ever when writing an adaptation.
Step Three: Long-Thinking
Anthropological studies say, some tribes of American Indians had a word to describe those of their brethren who sat around thinking profound thoughts. Literally the word translated to, the disease of 'Long-Thinking’. Quite often, many lead characters in novels suffer from this disease.
"Fiona knew in her heart that Reese was no good. Yet he caused such a stirring in her heart, she could think of nothing else. She feared someday she would give in to this temptation named Reese, and her surrender would surely bring about the end of her marriage!"
If adapted directly as it was, how on Earth would a director film the above? All we would 'see’ is Fiona sitting there, "long-thinking". That is not very exciting to say the least. And as mentioned previously, voiceovers are rarely the best answer.
When important plot information is presented only in a character's thought or in the character's internal world, one solution is to give this character a sounding board, another character, to which her thoughts can be voiced aloud. Either adapt an existing character from the novel or create a new one. Better, figure out a way to express the character's dilemma or internal conflict through action in the external world.
Step Four: What Story?
Some novels, even best sellers, are very shy on story and rely for the most part on style and character to create an effect. Some writers are so good at what they do, that their artful command of the language alone is enough to maintain readers’ curiosity. Such is never the case in screenwriting. It’s completely different.
Successfully adapting a "no-story-there" novel to screenplay form is a terrifying task. One approach is to move away from direct adaptation toward, "story based upon". Use the dazzling background and characters created by the original author as a platform from which to launch a screen story. If for any reason a screenplay doesn't lend itself to screenplay form, consider moving toward a "based upon" approach, rather than trying a direct adaptation.
That’s it! You're now on the right track of becoming an expert on adapting novels to screenplay form! Well maybe not an expert, but hopefully you have a better understanding of how to approach the subject than you did few minutes ago. Now, go and adapt a novel to a successful screenplay!
Manohar Chimmani lives in Hyderabad, the fifth largest city in India. Writing and Filmmaking are his passions. Internet Marketing is his hobby. He loves the creative outlet and freedom his hobbies and passions offer. He likes to live life on his own terms and run his own race.
Here's how he Makes Money and Makes Movies: http://www.growrichsmart.com
Article Source: Manohar Chimmani
4 Simple Steps to Adapt a Novel to Screenplay