I’ve seen Adaptation a few times, and reading the script totally elevates the movie in my mind. The script is so complex, funny, and just plain smart. The way the script changes from Charlie’s idea of the script to Donald’s idea is brilliant. And a lot of the intelligence has to do with Charlie Kaufman the character, and his authorial voice.
Adaptation is written by Charlie and Donald Kaufman, but Donald Kaufman is a fake person, so it’s actually just Charlie writing about himself writing about himself. Yeah. This also shows in the screenplay because you are always in Charlie’s head, but never in Donald’s. This is done by voiceover, which is cleverly poked at, as Robert McKee looks down upon voiceover as bad writing, but it’s necessary for the humor and mood of the story. Also, the payoff makes it all the better. Seeing as it is a true story of Kaufman struggling to adapt The Orchid Thief, you can definitely relate to him and how he got to his finished product.
A Boy’s Life is almost entirely from the perspective of Elliott. Besides the beginning with E.T. landing on Earth, we are always seeing things from Elliott’s point of view. Unlike Adaptation, the story is very linear and there doesn’t need to be any voiceovers or dumbed down dialogue to let the reader know what’s happening. Most of what is being told is through the actions of Elliott and E.T.
The action in The Apartment occasionally jumps back and forth between Bud, Sheldrake, and sometimes even the co-workers that frequent the apartment. Billy Wilder and IAL Diamond’s voice is prevalent throughout for the viewer, as well as the reader, interacting with the scene text itself to give the reader additionally jokes besides the action and dialogue. An action of this is the last line of the script: “And that’s about it. Story-wise.”
Discussion Questions:
Weston questions every stage direction. Examples include “with a shudder” and “in a tiny scared voice.” Do you think writers should be putting in less stage direction, or should it be left in to make sure the right tone comes across?
Adaptation got an Oscar nom for Best Adapted Screenplay of The Orchid Thief. But it is somewhat fictionalized and gets away from the novel. Are you okay with this or should it have been nominated for Best Screenplay instead? Follow up question: Would you like to see The Three made into a movie?
2 comments:
I think, even though Adaptation moves away from the core Orchid Thief (a hauntingly beautiful read), it is only after he really goes through the entire arc that Kaufman spices things up and follows some more McKee advice to shoot the screenplay into the stratosphere.
And there's always the possibility the academy had a sense of humor about it, slim as it may be.
Oh, and I'd watch the HELL out of The Three. WHAT A TWIST!
-William Corlett
I think writers should leave stage directions in the script. It gives the actor an idea of what the scene looks like. Especially in some cases where a certain line could be said in many ways and the actor is unsure which way it is meant, I think stage directions would help quell any confusion. I think it is up to the actor to decide whether he or she will pay attention to the stage direction or not.
-Fernando Rosas
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