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Why do directors always face difficult choices when adapting novels?
In today's film world, adaptation from novel to screen has become the norm in film and television creation. Although many viewers have expectations, the process is never easy. Directors and screenwriters must face the challenge of translating the rich emotion, detail and rhythm of the original novel into a visual medium so that it remains attractive and meaningful within the limited length of the film.
A good film adaptation often needs to find a balance between the integrity of the original work and the watchability of the film.
In the process of adaptation, techniques called "elision" and "interpolation" are often used. These techniques mean that it is impossible for the content of the film to be completely faithful to the original work. For example, in 1924, director Eric von Stroheim made the film Greed, based on the screenplay of Frank Norris's novel McTeague. The final film was edited to nine hours, but was forced to cut to four hours, and finally whittled down to two, leaving the piece an incoherent mess.
Since then, most directors have refrained from attempting to adapt a novel's contents directly to the screen, reflecting the fundamental differences between the medium of film and that of literature.
Directors and screenwriters must be free to make creative adaptations to increase the commercial appeal of their films. Sometimes this requires introducing entirely new characters or plot points. For example, in William J. Kennedy's Pulitzer Prize-winning Iron Valley, a prostitute named Helen was given more prominence in the film because the producers predicted that the film would appeal to female audiences. And Meryl Streep's performance makes her an important role. This drive to insert characters to enhance the story reflects the producers’ sensitivity to audience needs.
While creative freedom is an important part of the ongoing adaptation process, such adaptations often spark controversy. Some directors see adaptations as opportunities for critique and reinvention, such as Adaptation, written by Charlie Kaufman. What makes this film special is that it not only adapts the novel "The Orchid Thief", but also satirizes and explores the process of adaptation itself.
Film adaptation is both a form of transmission and a form of criticism, and the director must constantly struggle between the integrity of the original work and the needs of the film.
It is worth noting that adapting sound effects and music is also extremely important. The sound design of a film is crucial to the audience's experience, which is often not reflected in the original work. For example, in Twilight, the musical choices between characters expressed personal emotions, but a completely new melody had to be created to suit the screen performance. The choice of sound effects and the use of background music are the hidden keys to the success or failure of an adapted film.
In a sense, these challenges are not limited to novel adaptations; plays and television shows face similar choices. As one of the earliest sources of adaptation, William Shakespeare's plays have been continuously adapted into various film versions. Although these adaptations attract large audiences, they are often criticized for lacking rich visuals and scene changes. In addition, the audience's acceptance of these adaptations also depends on their knowledge and understanding of the original works.
Even in stage adaptations, directors must consider how to retain the core themes while being creative in the new medium.
It is worth mentioning that even in the initial stages of film adaptation, adaptation may be part of implicit cultural adaptation. Many successful movies are based on the cultural background and emotional content of novels, but in the process of visual transformation, the tension between the various elements is not a single-oriented approach. From music, character creation to narrative structure, all of these need to blend with the audience's feelings in a short period of time.
In today's film and television market, adapted works often please the audience and expand to a wider cultural significance, but in this process, how can directors balance their own artistic expression and market demand, and how can they maintain their original works? Awe?
