So, you choose to work from a novel. Think in terms of verbs!
You can't translate a novel into film, you have to adapt it into a screenplay, you've got to structure it, create characters, develop a storyline and chart your direction from beginning to end.
samedi 10 novembre 2007
Taking what IS - to the next step
A film is a story told with pictures
Some material, of course, translates better into film than other material, and the trick is knowing what you have to work with (the original material-- an idea, concept, novel, play, newspaper story, magazine article, real-life experience, situation, or what have you) -- and then creating what you need to make it visually dynamic, a story told with pictures.
Like modern art - you can take anything that works.
Some material, of course, translates better into film than other material, and the trick is knowing what you have to work with (the original material-- an idea, concept, novel, play, newspaper story, magazine article, real-life experience, situation, or what have you) -- and then creating what you need to make it visually dynamic, a story told with pictures.
Like modern art - you can take anything that works.
Beginners' hint
Can this novel be adapted to a screenplay?
One example of how to distinguish.
You read the novel, and start laying out its story line. In this particular novel (title not given), an experienced screenwriter would understand immediately that if he/she wrote the screenplay based on that material, it would be boring, long, explanatory and dull. No, he/she would have to do something different.
One example of how to distinguish.
You read the novel, and start laying out its story line. In this particular novel (title not given), an experienced screenwriter would understand immediately that if he/she wrote the screenplay based on that material, it would be boring, long, explanatory and dull. No, he/she would have to do something different.
Let's get started - the solo dive
Writing an original screenplay
You have to create the subject, the premise, the theme, the action and all the characters.
Here is one warning and/or consolation:
It is one thing to analyse and critique an original screenplay, quite another to write one.
You have to create the subject, the premise, the theme, the action and all the characters.
Here is one warning and/or consolation:
It is one thing to analyse and critique an original screenplay, quite another to write one.
Let's get started
The easiest way to begin seems to be basing your screenplay on a novel (this is debatable). However, here goes:
Go into the novel, explore it from a visual point of view, then find a way to maintain the integrity of the piece. Then look at what you can or cannot use. Basically, you have a subject to write about (as opposed to making up an original one yourself.) So if the subject is convertable, go for it.
Go into the novel, explore it from a visual point of view, then find a way to maintain the integrity of the piece. Then look at what you can or cannot use. Basically, you have a subject to write about (as opposed to making up an original one yourself.) So if the subject is convertable, go for it.
Dictionary definitions!
Screenwriting = the writing of screenplays
Screenplay = the written form of a story prepared for motion-picture or television production. (WRITTEN TO BE SEEN)
Story - the plot of a narrative or dramatic aork.
Plot - the main story of a literary work.
What does a screenplay consist of =an idea of a character and of action, then a structure (no plot yet, no dialog details yet)
Screenplay software = to take you through the steps from initial conception to final draft
Screenplay = the written form of a story prepared for motion-picture or television production. (WRITTEN TO BE SEEN)
Story - the plot of a narrative or dramatic aork.
Plot - the main story of a literary work.
What does a screenplay consist of =an idea of a character and of action, then a structure (no plot yet, no dialog details yet)
Screenplay software = to take you through the steps from initial conception to final draft
Glossary
Vocabulary: English - French - German
Screenwriter = scénariste = Drehbuchautor
Director = réalisateur (film)/metteur en scène (stage) = Regisseur
Screenplay = scénario = Drehbuch, Szenario
Script = script = das Drehbuch
Storyboard - story-board, scénarimage - Storyboard
to shoot a film = tourner un film = einen Film drehen
Plot / story (of a novel, play) = intrigue = die Handlung
"the plot thickens "= "l'affaire se corse" =
Production = mise en scène = Produktion
Producer (organizer, financer) = producteur = Produzent/Regisseur
Screen memory = souvenir écran = eine Leinwand(film)/(Fernseh)Scheibe (television) Erinnerung
(screen memory from Sister Act 2 = "If you wanna be somebody, if you wanna go somewhere, you gotta wake up and P A Y at-TEN-tion."
Screenwriter = scénariste = Drehbuchautor
Director = réalisateur (film)/metteur en scène (stage) = Regisseur
Screenplay = scénario = Drehbuch, Szenario
Script = script = das Drehbuch
Storyboard - story-board, scénarimage - Storyboard
to shoot a film = tourner un film = einen Film drehen
Plot / story (of a novel, play) = intrigue = die Handlung
"the plot thickens "= "l'affaire se corse" =
Production = mise en scène = Produktion
Producer (organizer, financer) = producteur = Produzent/Regisseur
Screen memory = souvenir écran = eine Leinwand(film)/(Fernseh)Scheibe (television) Erinnerung
(screen memory from Sister Act 2 = "If you wanna be somebody, if you wanna go somewhere, you gotta wake up and P A Y at-TEN-tion."
jeudi 8 novembre 2007
A very small story idea
Scenario sketch - auto critique
A couple, him European, her American
Setting : couple always fighting--
Action : looking for a solution (not clear enough, I know.) One night, after going to a big family event, their daughter makes the remark: You should do things together where you don't have to talk!
The No-Talk idea
How to develop the action?
The couple fights everytime they pick up a subject. It's the cultural divergence and accumulation of hard years.
What activities could they do together where they don't talk? Big family events, big events with friends, dance bars?
MUSIC!
They both love music, him to listen, her to perform. He LOVES listening to his daughters make music. She loves making music with her daughters. Bingo!
A couple, him European, her American
Setting : couple always fighting--
Action : looking for a solution (not clear enough, I know.) One night, after going to a big family event, their daughter makes the remark: You should do things together where you don't have to talk!
The No-Talk idea
How to develop the action?
The couple fights everytime they pick up a subject. It's the cultural divergence and accumulation of hard years.
What activities could they do together where they don't talk? Big family events, big events with friends, dance bars?
MUSIC!
They both love music, him to listen, her to perform. He LOVES listening to his daughters make music. She loves making music with her daughters. Bingo!
mercredi 7 novembre 2007
Screenwriting - anyone interested?
Starting Point:
I think that it is very important to remember one thing : that there are only two things which are true disasters - One, getting what you want, and Two, not getting what you want.
I think that it is very important to remember one thing : that there are only two things which are true disasters - One, getting what you want, and Two, not getting what you want.
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