Translation: Novel into Film

David Mitchell, author of the novel Cloud Atlas, wrote a very clear article in the Wall Street Journal this week on the necessity of translation in adapting a novel into a film – and talking about how his novel pushes the limits of what’s possible to portray on the screen.  If you’re wondering why “the novel’s always so much better than the film,” or ever hoping to adapt a novel yourself, check out his 5 main points.

Visit from an Emmy Award winning writer

Emmy Award winning writer Keri Grayson Horn visits the 2010 Playwriting class

Emmy Award winning writer Keri Grayson Horn visits the 2010 Playwriting class

On April 8, 2010, our Playwriting class had a visit from Keri Grayson Horn, who won an Emmy Award in 2009 for her contribution in writing for the PBS series Between the Lions.  She shared with us about the process of writing for television, the 30-second page format, and stories about the Emmy Awards process itself.

Article on “Tropes” – LA Times

LA Times

Here’s an article in the LA Times about “tropes” or elements of storytelling that repeatedly appear particularly in pop culture (film, television).  It references a wiki site that lists these tropes and where they have previously appeared.  Could be a helpful site to remind beginning writers of how these story elements have been used before…

tvtropes.org