Read a Good Book Lately? : Order of Watch V Read first by Mick Eggins

Hey, Mick Eggins. I prefer to watch a movie or series before reading the script. I've mainly been reading screenwriting books over the years. I need to read more fiction books. Have a great weekend too!

I’m the opposite, I want to read the book before watching the movie/TV show, and that’s assuming I even watch the movie/show.

Banafsheh Esmailzadeh that is exactly why I thought I'd start the discussion. Thank you for your opinion

I agree with you Mick and for me sometimes, The prospect of reading a 600 page book that could double as door stop is at the very least a daunting task. If there is a movie version of it, there is no embarrassment in opting for the least path of resistance. Lets face it, very few of us have the luxury of time to read 3 page description of sunsets only evident in such Herculean narratives. And while the movie version may not stack up to the original source material, I agree, it can serve to inspire you to read Anna Karenina, Frankenstein, Lord of the Rings etc. etc. What's more, when you see the movie its not hard then to see or imagine then the sites, sounds and images that play out through your minds eye as you read the book. Mind you , those imposed movie images and interpretations can work oppositely, where they can usurp and obstruct our own imagination.

Maurice Vaughan I need to buy more script books. I usually just read them online

Charles Chas Green Agreed, mate. I loved in GOT when Catelyn Stark was standing in Bran's room after he was thrown out of the window and she is looking at Jon Snow. I remember thinking about the look she described in the book as to the look on TV and I thought, Oh that's what that look was, I thought she was just a bitch. The way she explained the not wanting to love him because of the thought of Ned cheating, totally worth the wait.

Yes , books will always tell us more, they have that length and breadth to delve into the psychological and emotional justification for why characters do what they do. Its only very clever and good screen writing which then married to masterclass acting , where an actor can give us rich emotional complexity because of the sub text they have thought about and are providing through their characterisation. The hard part of course is getting all of those themes, ideas, characters needs/wants/ obstacles /triumphs in a two hour period = Film or Movie. And that's the Directors job! Lol

Mick Eggins I suggest checking out "Turn & Burn: The Scriptwriter's Guide to Writing Better Screenplays Faster" by Stage 32 member CJ Walley. www.amazon.com/Turn-Burn-Scriptwriters-Writing-Screenplays/dp/1910515973

Maurice Vaughan I will get on that, thanks Maurice, you are a legend of Stage 32

You're welcome, Mick Eggins. Thanks.

I usually do the opposite- but I've learned to parse the whole Book vs Movie/TV thing as I've gotten older. I think most of it stems from the fact that writing scripts, working in comics, and writing so many novels- I've personally learned where the differences lie- you know? That arcs have to be cut to the essential pieces, whereas in a book, you can always add more. But I will admit- when I saw The Long Walk, it'd been way too long since I read the story. The ending was changed and honestly-- I was good with that once I read it. Sometimes, stories evolve in the face of time, the world, and the needs of the audience. I think that's the biggest thing I've learned of late.

Cynna Ael great response! I love that point of view

An interesting topic because I have in fact been holding myself back from watching The Thursday Murder Club, until I have read the book by Richard Osman. This is probably because I want to really absorb his storytelling skills, before seeing how the story has been adapted for screen.

On the whole, I am more likely to go straight to the series or film, unless I have already read the book. I agree with Cynna above in terms of essential cuts / edits that need to be made for the screen.

I guess it depends on whether the reader is overly attached to the story before becoming the viewer, especially if major changes are made (e.g. completely different ending) and they have a visual concept of particular characters that then do not translate to the screen.

Kirsty Louise Joyce hi Kristy, thanks for your point of view. I have just found more times than often that if I am really invested in the book, I find that the series/movie is underwhelming.

Obviously the production can't add every detail that a novel can, so I feel that I still get surprises when reading the story after watching

Mick Eggins, I enjoy reading books made into film before as it adds much more depth to the film. What I appreciate the most is the incredible talent the actors bring to the script. It amazes me that those books for GOT were turned into 120 + page scripts. James Cameron spoke on this recently, on a interview breaking down Avatar: "Fire and Ash". A good 4 book series starting with Forbidden is exemplary writing though the ending would leave the audience sobbing if it is turned into a film.

Rose Dupuis great point of view. thank you for your thoughts. I still have to watch the second Avatar, I feel bad. I lived the first but find it hard to get 3 hours. terrible excuse, I know

Mick Eggins the Avatar films become so much more with each one. Listening to the few interviews with James Cameron gives beautiful insights to his purpose for those films. And The Way of Water fantastic, I've yet to watch Fire and Ash. you enjoy your week.

Rose Dupuis oh great, thank you. I will take the time to check them out