I think I know the secret to making a sucessful screenplay that would sell as a spec

[GonnaBeFamous]

If you can look at your screenplay read it and say, that would make a crappy novel, but a good movie.

Screenplays are different from novels. If it could be put into a novel then you didn't do your job as a screenplay. All 3 of my scripts without a doubt could not be made in a novel under any circumstances. They are movie potential not novel. I do believe you can make a novel into a movie, however if you notice most novelist struggle into making it into a good movie, and some don't even do the adaption at all, ie stephen king. SO I think I'm onto something....

Opinions?

[TheRuleofThirds]

Well, if your scripts are as long as your thread titles, I'd say you've got a lot of learning to do, pilgrim.

[icerose]

I think it really depends on the script and the story. There are some scripts that would make horrible novels and some novels that would make horrible movies. It just all depends in my opinion.

[Boo_Radley]

Sounds dreamy in theory, Gonna. Unfortunately, the truth is that the only way you're going to sell a spec is if it's a great story...if it has great characters...if it's well written...and if you're lucky lol

[GonnaBeFamous]

I think it really depends on the script and the story. There are some scripts that would make horrible novels and some novels that would make horrible movies. It just all depends in my opinion.

I think you're right. With that said though I think my theory is probably more right then wrong. You hardly ever see movie to book but you see a lot of novel to movie.


Theruleofthirds every great screenplay starts with one sentence. :)

[dpaterso]

There are no logical grounds for this theory.

I find that adapting a novel into a screenplay is far easier than converting a screenplay into a novel, for the simple reason you have far more material to work with. Going from novel to screenplay you have to decide what to cut out so you focus on the strongest storyline, and while that's a real pain it's not nearly as work intensive as having to write a whole lot of fresh material when going from screenplay to novel. Said material can't just be filler or padding, it has to be integral to the story, and that takes planning and thought.

But either way, as with all things it's the story that matters and I see no reason why an interesting screenplay can't translate to a readable novel. Depends on the storywriting skills of the translator.

-Derek
Derek's Web Page - stories, screenplays, novels, insanity. (http://hometown.aol.co.uk/DPaterson57/scripts.htm)

[Mac H.]

This theory doesn't seem to make any sense.

For a start, novelisations of movies are hugely successful. We never hear of them, for a couple of reasons:

1. They aren't advertised extensively. Why would they? Their marketing relies on the film popularity being enough advertising form them. Apart from some niche publications, you'll rarely see an ad for them.

2. They are sneered on by the literary community. It annoys the writers of them no end, but the simple fact is that even though Gina Ingoglia's novel of 'The Lion King' outsold ever other children's book when it was released, it wasn't considered a 'real' book.

I heard a literature radio program a while ago, when a professor was lamenting the fact that men weren't reading enough novels. They had plenty of guys phone in, and point out the fact that they had MORE novels than most other people. They had ALL the Star Trek novels, ALL the Stargate novels, ALL the Dr Who novels ....

For some reason, the literature professor didn't think they counted.

OK, I haven't addressed the 'spec script' part of the argument. But without knowing the reasoning behind the theory, it's a bit hard to understand why on earth a random seeming thought might turn out to be true ...

Mac

[GonnaBeFamous]

There are no logical grounds for this theory.

I find that adapting a novel into a screenplay is far easier than converting a screenplay into a novel, for the simple reason you have far more material to work with. Going from novel to screenplay you have to decide what to cut out so you focus on the strongest storyline, and while that's a real pain it's not nearly as work intensive as having to write a whole lot of fresh material when going from screenplay to novel. Said material can't just be filler or padding, it has to be integral to the story, and that takes planning and thought.

But either way, as with all things it's the story that matters and I see no reason why an interesting screenplay can't translate to a readable novel. Depends on the storywriting skills of the translator.

-Derek
Derek's Web Page - stories, screenplays, novels, insanity. (http://hometown.aol.co.uk/DPaterson57/scripts.htm)


So you telling me swingers, what about bob, waynes world, exotica, blue velvet, halloween, buffallo 66 would be good novels? They are excellent movies and I just thought of those in 3 seconds I could sit all day and name good movie that would never be good novels or at least not even half as good as they are on screen.

I'm sorry, but the more I think about this theory I'm going to have to say it's more and more plausible.

Most novels dont become movies for a reason.

[GonnaBeFamous]

OK, I haven't addressed the 'spec script' part of the argument. But without knowing the reasoning behind the theory, it's a bit hard to understand why on earth a random seeming thought might turn out to be true ...

Mac

;)

I'm always philosophizing about life. Don't even bother asking where this thought come from.

[sspunisher]

however if you notice most novelist struggle into making it into a good movie, and some don't even do the adaption at all, ie stephen king.

Not sure if I'm misreading this, but there are some GREAT Stephen King movies out there. It all depends on your taste I suppose, but Rose Red for example (although very very, very long, and not exactly a masterpiece) is probably the best 'haunted house' movie I've ever seen.

Anytime I see a movie at Blockbuster with Stephen King's name on it, I give it the benefit of the doubt and check it out, and I'm rarely disappointed.

[JustinoXXV]

Actually, a ton of movies are adaptations from novels, short stories, stageplays, comic books, etc.

Look at these movies.................

Chicago
Anything Stephen King
Waiting to Exhale
How Stella Got Her Groove Back
The Color Purple
Spider Man
X-Men (X-Men 2 was based on the X-Men graphic novel God Loves, Man Kills)
Fantastic Four
Super Man
Wonder Woman (in the works)
Steford Wives
Village of the Damned (from the book Midwich Cuckoos)
Their Eyes Were Watching God
What's Love Got To Do With It?
Jurassic Park
Harry Potter

I could go on and on, but there's no need to.

Saying that a script is going to be a hit because it will make a crappy novel is entirely ridiculuous.

[Joe Calabrese]

Want to know the real secret?

Write a LOT of scripts and get the word out on them to a LOT of producers, agents, managers, competitions, etc...

The more you have, the better you get, the more you send, the quicker they know your name, the more they know your name and the better you get, the easier it is to sell... Period.

Here's a standard Hollywood saying that I've "Calabresized."

"It's not who you know as much as who knows you."

What have you done today (and everyday) to get your name out there? Writing is only part of your business plan. The other part involves marketing oneself. Go to a film festival (any) and smooze. Enter in a competition. Send out query letters to new people every day. Intern somewhere. Write an article. Check out the film productions in your area and try and get a PA job. Have a web presense. Review films for the local rag or a web site. Join a writers group (you never know if the guy next to you will make it big and owe you a favor for giving great critiques on his sold script). Oh.. I would be wrong not to atleast mention it, so if you can and are willing-- move to LA or NYC.

The list goes on. Anything done, no matter how little is better than nothing at all.

I know so many talented writers who write and write but never do anything about selling themselves.

I have a friend I had to brow beat to fly out to LA (afraid of flying and not sure about spending money he may not win) for an awards ceremony this week, because he is a top 20 finalist. He may or may or may not win (they announce at the party), but more important, he'll be in a room with dozens of producers and agents for an entire night and only 19 other writers to compete with.