Writing a film script.

sideswipe

Hi all any tips on the following would be appreciated. I have written a novel that I've been trying to get published for some time (without luck so far) I think the concept is very strong and would actually be really suitable for film. I have bought some books on script writing and have been working on adapting the manuscript into a script which I'm finding difficult but fun.
Has anybody out there ever done this that could give me a few tips on-
1. Adapting the novel
2. Selling the script (who is the best person to send it to in Ireland/UK)

I have been doing a lot of research online and came across a company www.books2film.com they adapt books into films and even develop scripts from other peoples ideas for a couple of grand a pop. It sounds interesting as I have loads of ideas that I feel are way better that half the crap Hollywood is producing at the mo!

Anybody any experience with this field? It's an industry I'd love to get into but am not sure if it's a closed shop and you have to be well connected to have your work read after you've got a working script?

Thanks in advance.

Livvie

This isn't really an answer to your question, but it might also be worth trying the BBC because they used to actively encourage the submission of scripts, and might still do so.

I've got a nearly finished novel and I feel exactly the same way you do and thought that if I don't get any luck with publishing, I'll try and make it either a six part series for the Beeb, or a soap opera!

Fatboydim

sideswipe wrote: »

Hi all any tips on the following would be appreciated. I have written a novel that I've been trying to get published for some time (without luck so far) I think the concept is very strong and would actually be really suitable for film. I have bought some books on script writing and have been working on adapting the manuscript into a script which I'm finding difficult but fun.
Has anybody out there ever done this that could give me a few tips on-
1. Adapting the novel
2. Selling the script (who is the best person to send it to in Ireland/UK)

I have been doing a lot of research online and came across a company www.books2film.com they adapt books into films and even develop scripts from other peoples ideas for a couple of grand a pop. It sounds interesting as I have loads of ideas that I feel are way better that half the crap Hollywood is producing at the mo!

Anybody any experience with this field? It's an industry I'd love to get into but am not sure if it's a closed shop and you have to be well connected to have your work read after you've got a working script?

Thanks in advance.

Do not touch books to film with a barge pole.

Never pay money to get stuff like that done.

My honest advice to both of you is not to bother.

Go check out my imdb page http://uk.imdb.com/name/nm0172016/

I haven't had a commission for six months. I have Red and Baby Cow production companies trying to co-produce a script of mine [Steve Coogan touting it around Australia] I have 18yrs experience as a professional writer. Stephen Frears is a fan of my work - What am I doing? I'm going the other way and writing a novel. That's how bad TV and Film industry is at the moment. BBC are cutting back on Drama commissions, ITV are morally and financially bankrupt, Ch 4 have no drama budget and RTE have no money. Arts funding in Ireland has been cut drastically.

Livvie BBC has enough trouble trying to keep Eastenders going. No major broadcaster is going to commission a new soap.

smcgiff

[QUOTE=sideswipe;61171671I have been doing a lot of research online and came across a company www.books2film.com they adapt books into films and even develop scripts from other peoples ideas for a couple of grand a pop.[/QUOTE]

Oh the innocence.

If you want to see examples of scripts to see how they are produced you could look up http://www.triggerstreet.com

If you know the rules of script writing then you are the best person to tell your story.

sideswipe

Thanks for the feedback folk.

[My honest advice to both of you is not to bother. /QUOTE]

Sounds a little defeatist fatboydim! reminds me a little of Homer Simpson -
You tried your best and you failed miserably. The lesson is 'never try'.:D

Oh the innocence.

Thanks smcgiff, I'm a long way from innocent at this stage! I know somebody who used a third party to write her script AND got it optioned so I don't fully agree with you about the person who knows the material best being best suited to tell the story (well in book form yes but not in script form), some people are surly better at producing scripts that others. In my case I have become bogged down as I find I need to change and rip out so much of the story to suit a screenplay that I can't get it right so collaborating with an experienced professional makes complete sense to me!

Fatboydim

books2film are not experienced professionals Sideswipe. Honestly do not go near them.

As for defeatist - not at all. It's realistic. I've got a top agent, two of the UK's biggest production companies, stars attached, a great script, and it's still hard. That's the reality of the business at the moment.

My main purpose is to make sure you don't throw your money away.

You might think you're a long way from innocent, but the fact you would consider using a service like books2film would seem to indicate otherwise. That's why I posted the link to IMDB - you can see who I am - You have no idea who the people are on that site as they don't tell you. Just don't want you getting caught.

If your idea is good - and you have drive - you may well succeed - But as William Goldman said - All your best ideas are on the shelf. [Paraphrased] He also said - Nobody knows anything.

If you want a co-writer who will work with you for free go over to www.filmmakersNetwork.ie - Best of luck.

Bob Z

sideswipe wrote: »

Hi all any tips on the following would be appreciated. I have written a novel that I've been trying to get published for some time (without luck so far) I think the concept is very strong and would actually be really suitable for film. I have bought some books on script writing and have been working on adapting the manuscript into a script which I'm finding difficult but fun.
Has anybody out there ever done this that could give me a few tips on-
1. Adapting the novel
2. Selling the script (who is the best person to send it to in Ireland/UK)

I have been doing a lot of research online and came across a company www.books2film.com they adapt books into films and even develop scripts from other peoples ideas for a couple of grand a pop. It sounds interesting as I have loads of ideas that I feel are way better that half the crap Hollywood is producing at the mo!

Anybody any experience with this field? It's an industry I'd love to get into but am not sure if it's a closed shop and you have to be well connected to have your work read after you've got a working script?

Thanks in advance.

I would imagine there is as much work in turning a nvel into a script as there is writing an original script. Things that work in a novel might not work in a film. So i cant see books2film being any good. All they probably do is change your novel into a script scene by scene line by line

shotcaller

I don't know much about adapting books to film but I do know a lot of writers, sometimes very talented and experienced ones, often fail horribly in this task.

My advice is get the skeleton of the plot of the novel and use this as the plot points for the screenplay.

Too often screenwriters try to jam too much of the novel in to the film. A good example of this is Dune by David Lynch. By treating the source material with too much reverence and not wanting to sacrifice what you feel is good about the book can be dangerous for the script. Sorry for pointing out the obvious but books and film are two entirely different media.

Also listen the 'On the Page' podcasts for advice from someone who actually knows what they're talking about rather than just me!

Best of luck though, I'd say it's bloody tough!

afaphoenix

sideswipe wrote: »

Hi all any tips on the following would be appreciated. I have written a novel that I've been trying to get published for some time (without luck so far) I think the concept is very strong and would actually be really suitable for film. I have bought some books on script writing and have been working on adapting the manuscript into a script which I'm finding difficult but fun.
Has anybody out there ever done this that could give me a few tips on-
1. Adapting the novel
2. Selling the script (who is the best person to send it to in Ireland/UK)

I have been doing a lot of research online and came across a company www.books2film.com they adapt books into films and even develop scripts from other peoples ideas for a couple of grand a pop. It sounds interesting as I have loads of ideas that I feel are way better that half the crap Hollywood is producing at the mo!

Anybody any experience with this field? It's an industry I'd love to get into but am not sure if it's a closed shop and you have to be well connected to have your work read after you've got a working script?

Thanks in advance.

HI
I have done some scriptwriting. I will come back to you with some ideas, just wanted to say a quick good luck
A

think

I suggest that you do a screenwriting workshop.

I did a Screencraft workshop that I absolutely loved. I started with a vague idea of a script that I wanted to write. That idea evolved into a full feature screenplay that is not getting interest by people in the industry. Before I did the workshop, I had very little idea of how a script should be written.. I mean REALLY written, ie, to a pro standard.

I'm not sure when the next workshop is. You definitely should email them on screencraft@me.com

good luck!