How to Adapt a Novel Into a Screenplay in 10 Steps | Script Reader Pro

[@ZekeBriarcliff]

Great notes. This really helped me start to formulate a workflow for adapting a particular book into a screenplay.

[@512ent]

I wrote a short film, then created the book, and now I’m revamping into a full feature

[@BrunoCosta-wnft]

Another thing that I would like to add, based on my own experience (writing my own adaptation to tv), is that the length of the acts varies substantially. In my book, Act 1 is just one chapter, equivalent to one scene, and then the inciting incident immediately comes up. But in the script, I had to create a couple more scenes to give more context and explain better the lead characters' motivation. Therefore, ACT 1 is longer now. Thanks for your video!

[@ScriptReaderProLosAngeles]

Great insight, Bruno!

[@NIKONGUY1960]

Read a book on Kindle. Total page turner. Kept thinking this would make a great movie. Finished it, the thought wouldn't leave me alone. Bought a physical copy. Now, watching this, I thought it time to get to work. I'm retired now so time is no longer an issue. At some point I'm going to have to approach the author and talk about rights. That would be a great topic to cover at some point.

[@downrock.creative]

Agreed. I would like to see a video on obtaining rights to someone else’s book. By the way, any progress for you on moving forward with the screenplay?

[@throne1797]

I have written several murder mystery novels. An Indie producer has approached me about turning one of them into a movie. The novel takes place in two time frames which are spread out throughout the novel. He asked me if I would have a go at writing a screen version of it for him (for $$). As the writer, I can see ways of compressing the early time frame where the murders take place into several minutes at the beginning of the movie, extracting important visual elements and minimizing character building needed in the written word with character appearances and gestures. And concentrating the rest of the movie on the unraveling of those earlier events by forensic investigations. But I have no idea how long this conversion will take. I like your approach tho.

[@downrock.creative]

Really great tips, thanks! I’m looking forward to checking out more of your content.

[@bobcanning1360]

ALWAYS good advice! Thank you AGAIN!

[@ScriptReaderProLosAngeles]

Glad you think so, Bob!

[@d-jemme]

wouldn't an interior monologue potentially be a voiceover tho?

[@downrock.creative]

I thought this, too. And of course, we’ve seen plenty of movies with voiceovers conveying interior monologues, right? I reckon it depends on if something valuable can be shown/seen visually during the monologue that maybe it a worthwhile scene.

[@seanwordsmith5908]

Thank you so much for this bro

[@ScriptReaderProLosAngeles]

Glad you found it helpful Sean!

[@mattherbert873]

Great video thanks for the help. I am curious is there a rule to decide if a book should be a feature? Like Harry Potter went as a move but Game of Thrones went as a show.

[@ScriptReaderProLosAngeles]

Hi Matt, great question! Ultimately, it depends how high the stakes are and if they are continuous in the sense of longevity. Our suggestion would be to see what's easier to outline: a pilot and episodes or a feature film

[@jess_18]

Amazing amazing video, thanks so much!

[@ScriptReaderProLosAngeles]

Glad you liked it!

[@chrisswider]

Very Helpful! Thanks!

[@ScriptReaderProLosAngeles]

Thanks for watching, Christopher!

[@DanielDuhon]

Here’s the problem with screenwriting books: they all kill creativity. You shouldn’t have to sacrifice ideas to fit a template.

[@BrunoCosta-wnft]

Since when it's anything from Stage 32 free? I've checked their website lately and everything they offer is paid.

[@ScriptReaderProLosAngeles]

You are correct in the services but it's worth checking out the forums where perhaps a conversation with a fellow writer leads to something. You never know!

[@BrunoCosta-wnft]

@@ScriptReaderProLosAngeles I didn't know about that! Thanks!

[@royaltypoetry1533]

Has anyone paid for their services before?

[@ScriptReaderProLosAngeles]

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