This week: Transitioning from Book to Script Edited by: Warped Sanity More Newsletters By This Editor
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This newsletter addresses how sometimes written stories are altered once transferred to script format. Sometimes it can be seen as an insult to the writing, other times it enhances the storyline. |
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We've all, at one time, have watched a movie based on one of our favorite books and been that annoying person pointing out everything that isn't the same as the book. At least, I know I'm guilty of it. I can't resist analyzing it. Of course, those around me give me that "shut up and just watch the movie" glare.
What I've noticed is sometimes these changes enhance the visual and/or psychological elements of the story. The master of knowing what to change, in my not so humble opinion, was the late Stanley Kubrick. I'll focus on two of his movies, which are considered classics.
A Clockwork Orange, by Anthony Burgess- In the movie when Alex and his crew conduct criminal acts, they sing the song Singing in the Rain. The contrast between their jubilant voices and crimes are cringe-worthy. Then there is that scene where he gives himself away by singing the song in the bathtub. The song is not anywhere in the book, yet it is imprinted in memory as a part of A Clockwork Orange.
Another aspect different is that Kubrick chose to use the first 18 chapters, rather than the intended 21 chapters, which leaves the movie in a cliffhanger. The reality is, the way the author intended might have not worked in quite the same way visually. This is a bit of a spoiler, but Alex transitions to the normal life he made fun of because he matures. When reading the book, since we are in the head of the main character, we understand this the way the author meant but given his crimes, visually it most likely would not make sense.
The Shining, by Stephen King- We all remember that maze! It gives the movie that extra psychological push, while also being symbolic of Jonny's predicament. In the book, there was no maze. Instead, there were trees in the shape of animals. Given the year the movie was made, it is likely they didn't have the special effects to make it work without looking silly. Though, even if they did have CGI, it would not have had the same psychological impact as that labyrinth.
What books to movies have you analyzed? Did any changes made enhance the movie, or did they ruin it for you?
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