Quoted from Takeshi I don’t know, Wes. I reckon an adapted screenplay is more than just a watered down novel. You’re adapting something from a literary medium into something for a visual medium. Surely it would require more than just a good editing job.

For the book in question, other than a few tweaks (Nothing major) it would go straight from the page to the screen.

The first scene is perfect. Take out descriptions of feeling and such and just use the core dialogue and actions and it works perfectly.

The writer of the novel did a great job describing places and settings. He doesn't describe the characters which is probably the only gripe I had about the book.

Trying to adapt one of your favorite books/comics/manga or whatever in the blue hell you read is the BEST excercise you can do. How much story can you fit into a screenplay without rushing it or cramming it up? It helps you develop as a writer and know your limits faster. Who cares if it's not for profit?

I am Padma here . I read the profile of Mrs John Bidulph Matin from a book and the I am so fascinated by the character I would like to write a script on her . she lived in 1920's . I have done some research on her but still I would like to know the names of Films during that period as I would like to know how English was spoken those days . Any views  or any info I am grateful to receive it . However please dont discourage me
padma

Quoted from mikep Remember, just because you write what you think is a good feature doesn't mean someone else will. Your original scripts, any spec script, is really nothing more than a writing sample. My second option was with a producer to whom I'd submitted two scripts. He didn't like either, they were out of his preferred genre,  but liked my style and ability to write action, so on that basis I wrote a screenplay for him which he optioned and we worked on for a year before he gave up trying to get all the financing in place. Writing is writing, it's all valuable if you want to be a good writer.

The last part of my reply didn't make it into the above. To finish, using an adapted script as a writing sample should be as vaild as anything else. Remember what happened witb Peter Briggs - he wrote an unauthorized version of Dark Horse Comic's Aliens Vs. Predator comic and sent it to Fox as a writing sample, and that was his calling card and entry into the business. He did get in a bit of hot water since he didn't give proper credit however, but in the end run everything was resolved and that began his professional career.

That's not an endoresement of his tactics, but an example that using an adaptation of a favorite work can be useful.
Even as a private script, something that only be seen by yourself, a few friends, maybe the board here, how can it not be useful as it can teach you how to tell a story in the most efficient way possible?

I can understand AB's motivation to just make money, I think everyone here would like to be a succesful screenwriter. But also it's probably correct that everyone here started writing because they enjoy writing, have stories they want to tell, and also want to be succesful.

I do admit to being new here, just over a month in being a member and have no desire to become an outcast, I've read a number of shorts and features and posted feedback and am reading more now, also have posted several of my features for those who'd like to read them, so I'd like to speak my mind as needed. So the comment about "too busy with 'real' scripts to waste time with what you're doing" does rankle a bit.

There are several adaptations that I have already worked up. Unfortunately, as many of you have said, it almost feels like a huge waste of time, seeing as how I have no access to the film rights of the source materials at this point. But (1) it works well for practice, and (2) I want to make the novels that I adapted into films anyway, so if that means waiting until I am "in the industry," at which point I'll purchase the rights, then so be it.

I have to say I’ve lost interest in the short I was adapting. It felt more like copying than creating. All I was doing was writing down the bits I could use and leaving out the rest. Ah well, you live and you learn.

For me it was interesting to take the book, outline it, decide what was vital to the story and what wasn't. Then rearrange certain events so the story had a more cinematic flow.

The book itself isn't any awards winner, just a pulpy horror piece and yes it's something that won't ever be prodcued ( from my script anyway) but I was able to come up with a solid draft in a decent amount of time. I enjoyed it beacuse it made me think more about what would work and what wouldn't. And I HOPE it has helped me out of writer's block which was the most important thing. If it accomplishes that, then it was worthwhile.

Quoted from mikep And I HOPE it has helped me out of writer's block which was the most important thing.

I think an important thing is to figure out why you're having writers block (which I don't really believe in anyway) in the first place.

I think the main reason for writers block is you just don't know the story or the characters as well as you should to go on.

I don't see how working on an adaptation is going to help fix that.

I've adapted a short story by Roald Dahl(in my sig).

Currently making enquiries about purchasing the rights before I attempt to expand on what I've already done. Got the book on order aswell, because I haven't read it for ages.

Ste

Like others have said, adapting a novel or short story into a script is not a waste of time. One it is good practice if you are ever asked to adapt one (if you have become famous enough as a writer to be approached) and two, lets not forget about all those books that are now in public domain. These books you can adapt and sell without any worry about copyright issues so you are home free