Question about book-movie adaptions....

WalpurgisQuill said:

But I was wondering..... what do you guys think of someone going to movie directing school and making quite a few of their books into movies?

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Movie directing school?

Ok, I assume you mean doing a film studies course or somesuch, and I can tell you that it is a mixed bag. I was in (and I cringe thinking about it) a handful of movies in my teen years. All low budget local flicks, well recived, good response from crits etc. But not at all the professional job you would expect.

So, what do I think of it? Well, the guy who wrote and directed the movies I was involved in ended up writing books of his own which were brilliant.

Because this is something I would find interesting, an author directing their own book-movie.

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Yeahm, but it doesn't happen like that.,

From what I've heard, it's fairly common for people in film schools to try to write screenplays based off of books they've written and film school teachers tend to look down on this practice because you aren't learning to make new stories and characters. But, hey, if you want and have the resources, there's nothing stopping you from writing a script and shooting it now.

If you are both a brilliant novelist and a brilliant film director, go for it. In all likelihood, however, any of us would be very fortunate to become a high achiever in even one of those fields. They're two different, separate skills and professions, each of which requires considerable time and energy to excel in.

If any of my books ever got made into a movie, I would be the LAST person I'd want directing it. Far, far better for the film to be in the hands of someone who knows what they're doing.

ClaudiaGray said:

If any of my books ever got made into a movie, I would be the LAST person I'd want directing it. Far, far better for the film to be in the hands of someone who knows what they're doing.

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Me too.

shaldna said:

Me too.

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I wouldn't want to direct it but I would want to be consulted about the actors, script and final outcome. I would not enjoy having my baby ruined like they did to "My Sister's Keeper".

That would depend on how much clout you have, and whether the director (and writer) want to involve you or not, and what's in the contract for the rights. You may be asked to write a screenplay (with one or more rewrites), which they may then take away and get someone else to rewrite. Or you could not be involved at all.

The sensible advice is to take the money (which won't be much for a small indie production) and let them get on with it. Your book would still be on the shelves and will probably have an increase in sales if a film gets as far as a cinema release or a TV showing. If the film's crap, it's their fault that they screwed it up. If it's good, then it reflects on you.

I've been a major film fan since childhood, and have reviewed them (mostly on DVD these days) in print and online for over twenty years. But the more I hear about the film industry - and I do know people who have had some involvement in it - the less I want to be involved in it.

mickeyDs4 said:

I wouldn't want to direct it but I would want to be consulted about the actors, script and final outcome. I would not enjoy having my baby ruined like they did to "My Sister's Keeper".

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Ah, but even that doesn't mean much these days.

I mean, even 'good' adaptations can get it very very wrong. Look at LOTR, an awesome movie, but not if you're a fan of the books.

Also, take a heavy weight like Michael Crichton, he prodcued most of his work, but there was still that god awful second jurassic park movie, which had NOTHING AT ALL to do with the book.

mickeyDs4 said:

I wouldn't want to direct it but I would want to be consulted about the actors, script and final outcome. I would not enjoy having my baby ruined like they did to "My Sister's Keeper".

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Yeah, I agree. I'd definitely want to be in the know about many details of the film. Because yeah, I wouldn't want it completely ruined :/