Film adaptation is the art of transferring written work into a feature film. The most common form of film adaption is based on novels. Other film adaptations include autobiographies, comic books, scripts, and plays.
You are likely no stranger to viewing a film or video production that was originally a piece of written work. Many novels have been turned into films. “Between 1994 and 2013, 58% of the top grossing films in the world were adaptations.” History has shown us that adapting best-selling novels into films is a popular trend. In many cases the film becomes more popular than the novel itself.
Bestsellers and historically acclaimed pieces such as Gone with the Wind, The Great Gatsby, The Firm, Schindler’s List, The Da Vinci Code, The Godfather, Jurassic Park, Silence of the Lambs, and The Lord of the Rings saga were all brought from text to the big screen. More recently these three series have made the same move:
- Harry Potter
- The Twilight Saga
- The Hunger Games
Harry Potter
Harry Potter is a fantasy novel series written by British author J.K. Rowling. Harry Potter is a seven part series that chronicles the adventures of young wizards Harry Potter and his friends Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger. All of whom are students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry.
The series quickly gained popularity and success after the release of the first novel, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone in 1997.
- Eight part film series, the seventh novel was split into two films.
- Highest grossing film series as of October 2014.
- Brand is worth in excess of $15 billion.
- Harry Potter themed attractions have been created at several Universal Parks and Resorts.
The Twilight Saga
Twilight is a romance fantasy novel series written by American author Stephenie Meyer. Twilight is a four-part series that chronicles the highs and lows of a relationship between a human teenager and a vampire.
The success of the novels and films generated major buzz for upcoming actors Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner.
- Five part film series, the fourth novel was split into two films, all released between 2008 and 2012
The Hunger Games
The Hunger Games is a series of three adventure novels written by American author Suzanne Collins. The Hunger Games series follows Katniss Everdeen as she continues to rebel/fight against a dictatorship known as The Capitol.
- Four part film series, the third novel will was split into two films. With the last film, The Mockingjay Part 2, to be released in November 2015.
- The trilogy has sold more than 65 million copies in the United States alone.
- With the three films released already, The Hunger Games series is the 16th highest grossing film franchise.
The works of many other authors have been adapted into film form, William Shakespeare, Jane Austen and Charles Dickens just to name a few. Two notable authors that come to mind that have generated several novel to film adaptation are:
- Nicholas Sparks
- Stephen King
Nicholas Sparks
Nicholas Sparks is an American novelist, screenwriter and producer, who is best known for his romantic drama novels. Ten of those novels have been adapted into a film, with the latest released in April 2015.
- Message in a Bottle
- A Walk to Remember
- The Notebook
- Nights in Rodanthe
- Dear John
- The Last Song
- The Lucky One
- Safe Haven
- The Best of Me
- The Longest Ride
Stephen King
Stephen King is an American author of contemporary horror, supernatural fiction, suspense, science fiction and fantasy. His novels and short stories have sold over 350 million copies, with many also having been adapted into feature films, including:
- Carrie
- The Shawshank Redemption
- The Shining
- The Green Mile
Producing content on multiple platforms allows individuals to experience something in different ways.
Have you ever heard the statement “seeing is believing”? It may not apply to everything, however taking print or an idea and using it to create video can develop someone’s understanding of it – allowing them to have a better grasp of the words or concept and to visualize a process, action or situation in a way they had not considered or imagined.
Do you have printed material you need adapted for the camera?
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Film_adaptation
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Potter
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Twilight_Saga_%28film_series%29#Box_office_performance
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hunger_Games
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hunger_Games_%28film_series%29