It's always good to "read the room" and know when to shut up and I am not trying to be difficult, although I am starting to realize that many writers are, and I accept the wisdom of your reply, Prof. Walter, but I just want to add:
One of my favorite films, "10 things I hate about you," a great film for any and every teen who has fallen in love, was supposedly adapted from Shakespeare's play "The Taming of the Shrew," a play that I read afterwards, and I could hardly find any similarities between the two pieces of art, except thematically, both being about a shrew, so I guess there are degrees of how much you can adapt a piece. I think it would have been more accurate to say that "10 Things I hate about you," was INSPIRED by "The Taming of the Shrew."
A book I read on screenwriting recommends that we adapt old stories and tell them in new ways. Even Shakespeare did that. But I admit that writing an original screenplay is best by far. I'll just try to learn and draw inspiration from the masters that came before. (And steal their lines to adapt for my dialogues).
I just read The Bacchae, an ancient Greek tragedy, written by the Athenian playwright Euripides, and like most ancient Greek plays I've read, it is a strikingly powerful story and surprisingly "fresh." I highly recommend it to everyone.
(Although you've probably all read it already).
It's a great story, though.
(I guess the same goes for adopting Greek plays. It's best to come up with something fresh).
Thank you very much for answering my query, Professor. I am now thoroughly cured of my crazy ideas. I am working on an original screenplay, so I will put my focus there. Again, I really appreciate the time you took to answer my questions. In the words of the immortal Elvis Presley: "Thank you, thank you very much." Have a wonderful week.
It's always good to "read the room" and know when to shut up and I am not trying to be difficult, although I am starting to realize that many writers are, and I accept the wisdom of your reply, Prof. Walter, but I just want to add:
One of my favorite films, "10 things I hate about you," a great film for any and every teen who has fallen in love, was supposedly adapted from Shakespeare's play "The Taming of the Shrew," a play that I read afterwards, and I could hardly find any similarities between the two pieces of art, except thematically, both being about a shrew, so I guess there are degrees of how much you can adapt a piece. I think it would have been more accurate to say that "10 Things I hate about you," was INSPIRED by "The Taming of the Shrew."
A book I read on screenwriting recommends that we adapt old stories and tell them in new ways. Even Shakespeare did that. But I admit that writing an original screenplay is best by far. I'll just try to learn and draw inspiration from the masters that came before. (And steal their lines to adapt for my dialogues).
Thank you.
I just read The Bacchae, an ancient Greek tragedy, written by the Athenian playwright Euripides, and like most ancient Greek plays I've read, it is a strikingly powerful story and surprisingly "fresh." I highly recommend it to everyone.
(Although you've probably all read it already).
It's a great story, though.
(I guess the same goes for adopting Greek plays. It's best to come up with something fresh).
Thank you very much for answering my query, Professor. I am now thoroughly cured of my crazy ideas. I am working on an original screenplay, so I will put my focus there. Again, I really appreciate the time you took to answer my questions. In the words of the immortal Elvis Presley: "Thank you, thank you very much." Have a wonderful week.