Screen writing is one of those things I have never been able to master. It is a completely different
experience than writing a novel or short story. You must be more concise, give clear direction without any frills.... I can't do it. I must have the frills.
I believe that's why we always feel the book is always better. Let's take our beloved Harry Potter series. It is rich with characters and settings. So many wonderous creatures and adventures that we are drawn into and feel like we take with Harry, Ron and Hermine.
A great deal of people enjoyed the films but declared them incomplete! There were scenes missing, information and characters that were only touched on in the films. If you read the books first you felt the space where those were supposed to be in the story.
Those missing bits upset quite a few before-the-movie readers. It is understandable if you adored Tonks and you only got bits of her in the last couple of films. Yet...
We have to think about what it took to adapt that huge epic tale into film. The books could easily have been three to four hour epic films or even mini-series. Instead they were molded into a shortened version that could work in the timeframe allowed. Movies aren't like a bag of holding, you can't just toss in all your books, clothes and a tent. Movies are muggle made where there are more limits.
One of my favorite film adaptions was Fried Green Tomatoes by Fannie Flag. If you haven't seen it or read it , GET THEE TO A LIBRARY THIS INSTANT! It is kind of a chick flick but most guys I know who have watched it enjoyed the comedy of the tale. Anywhoo, they made a few changes in the story to make it work on the big screen and it did work. Worked very well. It also inspired people to go out and find Ms. Flags books and devour them for all the adventures of Idgie and Ninny at the Whistle Stop Cafe.
The very same thing happened with our friend Harry. Teens, tweens, and even adults swarmed bookstores and libraries for copies of these magical adventures. So, in a way the movie inspires reading of the book.
For those of us who read the book first, we have the inside scoop before anyone else. As you watch the story unfold in the theater, munch some popcorn and know that you hold all the secrets. The little details or the one scene that didn't make it into the adaption. On your way out of the theater, mention one of these to another movie goer. If they haven't read the book I bet they will want to now!
Yeah, we know the truth. Books are always better than the movie... they hold all the magic!
