Adapt Your Novel to a Film
A common question from writers who know my Hollywood roots is, “How do I make my novel into a movie?” It seems the goal of many writers as though simply getting one’s book published is not enough. I often say if you thought it was challenging to get your book published, multiply that by twenty or more because that is the gravity of the challenge you’ll run into when trying to get your book made into a film or television show. But fear not; understanding these challenges is the first step towards overcoming them.
I think I can bring a little to this discussion as I have been a story analyst, script doctor, producer, executive producer, director, writer, actor, showrunner, and studio executive, and have worked in just about every below-the-line position you can list on my journey up the filmmaking ladder. I see the business from the writer’s point-of-view, the viewers (of course), the below-the-line and above-the-line talents, the filmmakers, the actors, the studio heads, the financiers, and the distributors. It is from this background that I’ll approach this series of blogs.
Unlike some of my peers who have grown disillusioned with the industry, I maintain a positive outlook. I see the film, television, and entertainment industries as opportunities for those willing to learn, adapt, and offer unique perspectives. From this optimistic standpoint, I’ll share my insights.
The entertainment industry has changed since I formed my company decades ago as a fourteen-year-old optimistic filmmaker who created professionally produced and network-aired work. Commercials and documentaries were my fare then. I grew into narrative work as a hobby that later became a profession when I finally figured out what I was doing. Much has changed since there was a boy with an 8 mm camera, 16 mm, and an analog reel-to-reel tape recorder for audio. It is from the perspective of watching the world of tech change with a view to how it continues to evolve that will also influence what I write here.
So, here’s the background of where we are going.
This blog is basically an introduction. Let’s look at some things for you to consider until we hit filmmaking again. Very few films become hits. Most scripts I’ve read are bland, if not awful (I’ve ceased reading other’s scripts because of it, frankly.) Only about one out of every hundred scripts I see are worth reading past the first ten pages. Remakes are so common in Hollywood now because today’s average writers can’t write stories that resonate with those from the past. Most stories fail because of a lack of story. Most stories do not have a strong structure. Most stories do not have strong characters that make key actors want to play them. Most scripts talk too much (too much dialogue) and say very little. There is little conflict.
If you’re clever, which I know you are, you’ve already made the unconscious notation that most of what we’re talking about is craft. I’ve also (above) given you a checklist of what not to do. If you’re with me and realize that this separates books from being made into movies and that fixing the craft can change these odds, then you and I are now talking about the same language.
Writing for film is distinct from writing prose, yet there are shared techniques. In my regular craft blogs, you can glean insights applicable to all forms of writing. In this series, I’ll delve into the nuances that make screenwriting unique while emphasizing that it's the same technique with different brush strokes.
I think you’ll find this an incredible journey. And, yes, to answer your question, you can see your book made into a movie or TV show. Anyone can if you fix the problems. (I’ve already given you the issues above.) So, let's embark on this journey with the firm belief that your story has the potential to captivate and enthrall audiences on the big screen.
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