So, I am currently collaborating with an author to adapt one of his Sci-Fi novels into a screenplay for production. My collaborator has 20 plus years of experience in Production in LA and gives a lot of thought to production costs when adapting his novel.
From which scenes will be shot on location, what will be needed on said location, how many days extra for that scene at that location will be needed and at what rate of pay, and what feesably can be done in studio.
This is detail I never thought I would be delving into and I find myself wondering if this is counter-productive to the creative storytelling process.
Basically, there is no whimsey, it's all dollars and cents. So, my question to you is. In your experiences, Stage 32ers, at what point does creativity get compromised for pure dollars and cents, so to get something ACTUALLY made?
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When adapting a novel I do think about cost when it comes to locations and how many characters are there going to be in the film. Creativity cost nothing but producing a film cost a ton of money and the more it cost the harder it is to sell.
Exactly, Dan, thanks for responding. This experience is affecting my writing a bit. I am hesitant to try to execute some ides in my screenplays now because I am becoming aware of the cost and feasibility of it being created. I don't know enough yet to come up with creative solutions, but hopefully in time.
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I know what you mean. I have adapted over a dozen novels into screenplays and I got better at it after a while. I optioned a few and was lucky enough to do a rewrite with Josette Perrotta and learned a lot about cost and how to eliminate some big action scenes and how to combine characters and locations and stuff. Good luck with your project.
I enjoy adaptation process and hope to get a good recommendation for future collaborations. You couldn't get much bigger than the Mummy franchise as far as expensive action scenes go, so I could only imagine the education! Thanks again, Dan. I'd love to keep you informed, when I am allowed to talk specifics.
Michael. One thing good about writing adaptions is it can help you get writing gigs. Last year I teamed up with Judy Norton to adapt two novels we are going to produce. Judy will Direct and Star in both or them.
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Adaptations are tough, especially if the writer of the IP is heavily involved. While cost is almost ALWAYS a concern, if would help if you could take some creative ventures like building models instead of elaborate set pieces, or opting for a more practical effect instead of investing heavily in VFX. It is hard to really give advise without details, but I hope this sparks some thought.
I agree with Lindsay and I do avoid working with authors if I can avoid it.
Creativity always gets compromised when the dollars get involved, regardless of the source - novels, screenplays, comics, and so on. It's the nature of show "business."