Adapting a novel or a short story into a script can be a rewarding but challenging process. You have to condense the original material, capture the essence of the characters and the plot, and translate it into a visual and auditory medium. How do you do it? Here are some tips to help you along the way.
The first step is to choose a novel or a short story that you want to adapt. Ideally, it should be something that you are passionate about, that has a strong theme and a compelling story, and that suits the genre and style of the script you want to write. You should also consider the copyright and legal issues involved, and whether you need to obtain permission or pay royalties to the original author.
Make sure the story you want to write is marketable. You may be passionate about it, but you have to make sure it's a story that will resonate with an audience and connect with investors. There’s a reason the same stories are done over and over again in Hollywood. It’s because they sell and people like to watch them. As a writer you need passion but you have to also look through a business lens. You have to be able to interest a director, a producer, actors, and investors in backing your story, so find the angle that will sell, and observe the formulas for scriptwriting.
The next step is to read and analyze the source material thoroughly. You should identify the main characters, their goals, motivations, and conflicts, the key scenes and events, the tone and mood, the setting and the time period, and the message or the moral of the story. You should also note down any elements that might be difficult or impossible to adapt, such as internal monologues, flashbacks, metaphors, or descriptions.
The third step is to outline your script, using the source material as a guide. You should decide on the format and the length of your script, whether it is a feature film, a short film, a TV series, or a web series. You should also decide on the structure and the genre of your script, whether it is a comedy, a drama, a thriller, or a hybrid. You should then divide your script into acts, sequences, and scenes, and write a brief summary of what happens in each one, focusing on the main plot points, the character arcs, and the emotional beats.
The fourth step is to rewrite and revise your outline, adding more details, dialogue, action, and transitions. You should also make any changes or cuts that are necessary to fit your script into the desired format and length, and to enhance the clarity, the pace, and the impact of your story. You should also check your script for consistency, continuity, and accuracy, and make sure that it follows the conventions and the rules of the scriptwriting format and style that you have chosen.
The fifth step is to get feedback and polish your script. You should share your script with trusted readers, such as fellow writers, mentors, friends, or family, and ask them for constructive criticism and suggestions. You should also read your script aloud, or have someone else read it for you, and listen for any issues with the dialogue, the tone, or the flow of your script. You should then revise your script accordingly, fixing any errors, gaps, or weaknesses, and enhancing any strengths, until you are satisfied with your final draft.
The sixth and final step is to pitch and sell your script. You should prepare a logline, a synopsis, a treatment, and a query letter that summarize and sell your script to potential producers, agents, or studios. You should also research and target the appropriate markets and platforms for your script, and follow their submission guidelines and protocols. You should also be ready to face rejection, negotiation, and revision requests, and to keep trying until you find the right match for your script.
Submitting a script for production is a really difficult process and there are thousands of scripts "out there." Yet every day, scripts are sold. So take heart! Well-written scripts with unique story angles get attention. Another path are film festivals. Attending festivals and watching films you'll see what audiences like and who's producing your kind of story. Reach out to the producer or director. Most of them are independent and more accessible than the traditional crowd. If you attach a director to your project, you could cast the lead roles, and take that package to investors or to a production company. And be prepared, yours could be similar to others being seen, so be ready for the question, "What else have you got?"