Author. Publisher. Changemaker.
July 27, 2023

From Page to Screen: Unlocking the Secrets of Adaptation with Laura Elliott

Have you ever heard these myths about writing for the page versus writing for the screen? Myth number one: All you have to do is adapt your novel into a screenplay. Myth number two: Screenwriting is easier because you don't h...

Have you ever heard these myths about writing for the page versus writing for the screen? Myth number one: All you have to do is adapt your novel into a screenplay. Myth number two: Screenwriting is easier because you don't have to worry about descriptions or internal thoughts. And myth number three: Writing for the page requires more creativity than writing for the screen. In this episode, we have the pleasure of hosting Laura Elliott, a seasoned author and screenwriter, who will debunk these myths and share the truth about the key differences between writing for the page and writing for the screen. Tune in to gain valuable insights into both forms of storytelling.

In this episode, you will: 

·       Discover the intriguing journey of transforming a book into a screenplay. 

·       Explore the unique nuances between writing for the printed page and scripting for a visual medium. 

·       Delve into the challenges and opportunities screenwriting presents, including a fresh perspective on telling your story.  

·       Understand the relationship between the author and the screenwriter, illuminating the creative process.  

The key moments in this episode are:
 00:00:00 - Introduction
 00:02:23 - The Difference Between Books and Movies 
 00:05:17 - How Laura Elliott Got into Screenwriting
 00:07:54 - Length Differences Between Books and Movies
 00:12:11 - Learning Screenwriting and the Importance of Table Reads
 00:17:20 - Starting a Book and Screenplay
 00:19:34 - Heightening Drama in Screenwriting
 00:23:45 - Synergy Between Author and Screenwriter
 00:26:28 - Finding the Right Producer
 00:28:05 - Taking the First Step
 
The resources mentioned in this episode are:

·       Check out the book Story by Robert McKee to learn more about screenwriting. 

·       Explore the possibility of adapting your book into a screenplay for the big or small screen. 

·       Read The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynn Reid Banks and watch the movie adaptation to see the differences between the two. 

·       Consider distilling your story down to its essence for a screen adaptation, focusing on the most dramatic parts. 

·       Study the three-act structure for feature films and the five-act structure for TV series. 

·       If you have a true story to tell, consider adapting it into a screenplay to bring it to a broader audience. 

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Laura Elliott Profile Photo

Laura Elliott

Writer/Ghostwriter/Screenwriter

Laura Elliott is a screenwriter and a USA Today and Wall Street Journal best selling ghostwriter of award-winning books including a Kirkus-star reviewed book of illustrated fables, biography, memoir, historical non-fiction, business, and leadership books. She specializes in writing screenplays about true survival, crime, war, and journeys of the heart. Laura earned her chops working on shows like E! True Hollywood Story, which gave her an appetite for finding the story behind the story. She further developed her skills at the Los Angeles Times where she told interactive stories, reporting on features, entertainment, crime, hard news, politics, and investigative journalism. She has a passion for travel, particularly life at sea, and makes her home on the beach in Santa Cruz, California with her husband, daughters, their families, and her dog and muse Lucy.