| Whether it's a true story or a novel, most | | | | 4. A screenplay can only contain what can be |
| authors dream of having their book become a | | | | shown on the screen -- action and dialogue. Unlike |
| Hollywood movie. | | | | a novel, you can't write about what the character |
| In fact, a high percentage of movies started out | | | | is thinking. But you can reveal their emotions and |
| as books, comic books or graphic novels. | | | | thoughts through action and dialogue. |
| According to Internet Movie Data Base, over | | | | 5. Every scene must move the story forward in |
| 22,000 movies have been made from books. So | | | | some way. |
| far. | | | | 6. Don't "direct" the script. Don't put in camera |
| If this is your dream, read on. One way to | | | | angles or suggest particular songs to play in the |
| increase your chances of having your book turned | | | | background. That is the director's prerogative. |
| into a movie is to write the screenplay version of | | | | 7. Consider eliminating subplots and combining two |
| the book. Producers prefer reading script to | | | | or more characters into one, that is, create |
| reading books because they take less time to | | | | composite characters, if there a lot of people in |
| read. Most scripts are 90 - 120 pages, with a lot | | | | your book. |
| of white space. | | | | 8. Keep the dialogue short. Novels have more |
| If you're thinking about writing your own | | | | freedom in that regard. |
| screenplay, here are some things to keep in mind: | | | | 9. Watch lots of movies with the intent of noticing |
| 1. You must write the proper length (see above). | | | | what works and what doesn't. It will help you |
| Scripts that are too long or too short are | | | | become a better screenwriter. |
| immediately thrown away. | | | | 10. Realize that a book is not a movie and a |
| 2. You must learn screenplay format. There are | | | | movie is not a book. They have different needs |
| books that teach this. If your script does not | | | | and different rules. Keep this in mind and you will |
| follow proper format, it will be tossed without | | | | be more successful at adapting your book into a |
| further consideration. | | | | movie. |
| 3. You must get the Hollywood reader's attention | | | | Danek S. Kaus is a produced screenwriter of an |
| in less than 10 pages. This may mean adapting | | | | award-winning film called "The Ante," which will be |
| the beginning of your story. If you don't get their | | | | out later this year. He was recently hired by a |
| attention and interest soon, they move on to the | | | | movie company to adapt a book for the big |
| next script. | | | | screen. |