tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9518779.post114166795534777186..comments2023-07-06T04:29:27.227-05:00Comments on Reading for Writers: Conflict on ScreenA. P. Bucakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06041973307279126317noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9518779.post-1141732080767106772006-03-07T06:48:00.000-05:002006-03-07T06:48:00.000-05:00Hi Su-- I'm not sure anyone would write a short st...Hi Su-- I'm not sure anyone would write a short story expecting it to be adapted into a film--the leap in terms of scope is too large. But a lot of contemporary literature, especially if the narrative is spare, has unquestionably been influenced by the editing of films.<BR/><BR/>I haven't read Le Carre's novel so I can't compare the adaptations, but I imagine Brokeback was in part rewarded for how it had to be expanded, and in part because it was the better movie than Constant Gardner (which I also enjoyed).<BR/><BR/>My guess about writers adapting their own work is that only a few get the option to do so. A lot of filmmakers don't want the original writer involved precisely because they might hold too much to their own work. I've heard of a number of authors who don't want to get involved--they don't want to reinvision their work or they don't want to take the time from their other writing projects, as well as others who try and find it too difficult. But then there are some--Michael Ondaatje and The English Patient, Russell Banks and The Sweet Hereafter and Adaptation, who get closely involved, and the results are great.A. P. Bucakhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06041973307279126317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9518779.post-1141703421555757602006-03-06T22:50:00.000-05:002006-03-06T22:50:00.000-05:00Out of curiosity, do you think that Proulx's "Brok...Out of curiosity, do you think that Proulx's "Brokeback Mountain" was written with the 'reel' in mind? I got that impression as I read it: it cuts and moves a lot like the cinematic experience. It would seem to be a fairly easy adaptation as-is. <BR/><BR/>So I'm torn on the fact that I really like Proulx's story, yet I'm not sure I can commend the screenwriters' awards for <I>BM</I> when I consider how tough the adaptation for <I>The Constant Gardener</I> must have been in comparison.<BR/><BR/>Often, I am perplexed by the decision of writers to allow others to pen the adaptations of their work. Do you suppose they do it to keep their initial intention separate from the adaptation's product, or is it simply a matter of not wanting to get into that task?Suhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04433373615583845484noreply@blogger.com