Charlie Kaufman On Adapting Novels For The Screen

Writer & Director Charlie Kaufman discusses the adaptation process from novel to screenplay during an AFI Harold Lloyd Master Seminar.

CONNECT WITH AFI:
http://facebook.com/AmericanFilmInstitute
http://twitter.com/AmericanFilm
http://AFI.com/members

AFI FACEBOOK APP:
http://apps.facebook.com/afiytapp/

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• adaptation
• synecdoche
• new
• york
• Being
• John
• Malkovich
• Charlie
• Kaufman
• Nicolas
• Cage
• AFI
• American
• Film
• Institute
• hollywood
• movie
• movies
• los
• angeles
• harold
• lloyd
• master
• masters
• seminar
• hlms
• writer
• screenwriter
• screenplay
• talking
• presenter
• interviews
• hollywood actor
• comedy
• actor

[Jedisunscreen]

"Adaptation" and "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" are among the best and most original works of the decade.

[andybarone1984]

how about Synecdoche?

[johnmorisi8]

@myrtlebox

Yeah I agree, the batman series wasn't great. In fact i liked Batman begins better than the followup which everyone loved. But Memento was great, but I think the Prestige was his best (even though it was an adaptation). And I can agree with inception with it being overrated, but there really was only like 3-4 other really good movies last year. I'll have to get back to you with what I think on more tarantino.

[myrtlebox]

@johnmorisi8 I loved Memento - that was a fantastic concept. I think his brother wrote the original draft. But I don't care for the Batman franchise and thought Inception was okay, but slightly overrated. Prestige is probably my second favorite.

I'm not a real action fan since most of those types of movies have zero story and focus on things that 'blowed up real good' Tarantino has great dialogue. In fact, 'Deathproof', while widely panned, has some pretty funny dialogue

[johnmorisi8]

@johnmorisi8

My roommate who is into tarantino didn't like sunshine either, but then i got him to watch Being John Malkovich (cause of john cusack and charlie sheen ha) and he loved it. Some people can find Kaufman boring, and i can understand that, but I think if you can live without action and embrace dark humor/dialogue he is great. I'd say give him another chance, watch Malkovich then Adaptation, and last Synecdoche, if you still dont like him, oh well i tried. Are you a Nolan fan?

[johnmorisi8]

@myrtlebox

Well it's a good romance movie, and he puts a spin on a romance. Believe me, Adaptation is better, and so is Synecdoche New York. Kaufman doesn't use action in his movies (at all pretty much), unlike how Tarantino puts it in every movie. They're two different writers, for two different audiences. Tarantino I think tries to embrace cinematography while Kaufman is more of a playwright. Don't judge Kaufman on Sunshine, cause that was more mainstream.

[myrtlebox]

@johnmorisi8 I just finished Eternal Sunshine. I can't tell you how underwhelmed i was. Maybe my expectations were too high. I don't know. I was severely disappointed. 

[johnmorisi8]

@myrtlebox

Oh alright, i misunderstood a website that mentioned little nicky on tarantino's list. Eternal Sunshine is really good, but I think Adaptation is a lot better. And don't watch Adaptation till you see Being John Malkovich, because there are little jokes you might miss. Personally I'm not a fan of Nick Cage at all, but in Adaptation I think he is flawless, and it holds to be one of my favorite movies.

[myrtlebox]

@johnmorisi8 Little Nicky is most assuredly NOT TARANTINO. It was written by Adam Sandler et al and I presume it is as atrocious as anything Sandler has written. Tarantino had a cameo appearance though.

Okay, here's my confession....I haven't seen either Adaptation or Sunshine of the spotless mind!

I know, I know....gonna see Sunshine tonight. I guess I should get some kleenex ready.

Cheers

[johnmorisi8]

@myrtlebox

Yeah, i've seen Pulp Fiction, since my last comment. That is an outstanding movie. I also have seen Inglorious Basterds which is great too. I plan on seeing Reservoir Dogs and Kill Bill next. And i've also seen little nicky, didn't know that was tarantino, but i didn't really care for that one.

[myrtlebox]

@johnmorisi8 Start with Pulp Fiction. If you don't like that, forget the rest. But I honestly don't know how anyone could NOT like Pulp Fiction.

[jhohcable]

AND GOD HELP YOU IF YOU USE VOICE OVER NARRATION IN YOUR WORK

GOD HELP YOU!!!!!!!!!!!

I love every one of Kaufman's movies. :(