Lost and Found in Translation

Based on hoping for a good translation...

Ok, let's talk film. Well we lost a legend over the weekend. It's been that kind of year. We are losing legends and greats too often this year, in my humble opinion. I guess that's not like any other year. However, this year feels more personal for me. Feels more immediate. Legends and actors too young. I guess life is life. Well, God Bless Paul Newman and everything he did for film.

Number one at the box office was Eagle Eye thanks to it's high concept idea, strategic marketing to the target demo, and decent star power with Shia Labeouf. Nights in Rodanthe held on strong to come in second with half of what Eagle Eye made. 14 mil to Eagle Eye's 29 mil. 14 mil is very average for Romantic films, drama or comedy. This year with What Happens in Vegas came in at 20 mil. That was a spring release. Yes romantic films rarely see more than 15-29 mil. It appears to be a dying genre in theaters. Probably has to do with the quick market to DVD, people know if they wait they can watch a romance at home. Still, this particular period or post Summer, is a slow period. Things won't pick up till November.

So the LA Times today tells this very sad story of the translation of books to film and how difficult or a "horror story" it could be to do so for an author. You can read the article here or you can just imagine what the article says. It says Boo Hoo, films NEVER live up to the book. That's right they never will. Unless the book has a very strong narrative like Hemingway or the DaVinci Code, which are in essence, screenplays in disguise. That is a paraphrase of the article.

BUT, what's it really all about? Why are books singled out over original material. Well a book following is a built in audience. You like the book? Check out the movie! It's built in ticket sales. Hollywood loves that. They only make films with guarantees, not creativity. Don't let this article fool you. Don't let the LA Times woo you into thinking that Hollywood is the firing squad for a novel. It's not. Hollywood buys rights to books because its easier and more of a guarantee than original material. In fact, you will see most films out there are based on something. It's a safe haven.

As for the author, it's all about the money. If an author sells to Hollywood, it's for money and fame. That's it. I don't think these authors should cry over spilled book because they sold it to hungry lions in the first place. If authors want their ideas to stay pure, don't sell to Hollywood. Then there is nothing to cry about. How much does Stephen King really care if his films are sub par? He doesn't. He keeps writing books and selling then, he cashes his check. Don't let this creative process distress you. It's hit or miss anyway. Books and novels are two completely different mediums. What works in a book will NOT work in a movie. Peter Jackson knows that.

The Lord of the Rings books are WAY different than the film. So, in some cases it's good and in some it is a horror story. But do not forget it's all about the paycheck and the guarantee for the studio. It's the gamble writers take. They should stop whining about it. If they are gonna whine, they should not sell. Until later, let's talk film!