Being - a film

[sazzy]

I'd love to see this book as a film. I think it would be amazing!

[cillitbang12]

why do you think it'd be good as a film?

[sazzy]

It was a brilliant book - I can see how it could work in my head and all. I think it'd be hard 'cos Robert kinda thinks to himself all the time, but you'd have a voice over thingy. I think the book has such an important message, and often people are more likely to watch a film, then read the book! I know it shouldnt be that way. I just think it'd make an awesome film or drama on TV.

[cillitbang12]

Well it's a beautiful dream, I'd agree, but two problems with it.

1."It was a brilliant book."- Problem is, this doesn't guarantee it'd make a good film. Books can be written as they go along, although many authors plan theirs; films, on the other hand, are meticulously planned ahead (in terms of writing).

2."you'd have a voice over thingy"- This goes against a pretty solid rule in the screenwriter's imaginary handbook: voice over is to be avoided. The point of films is to tell a story visually; therefore to use voice-over shows weakness as a writer (and, indeed, director).

Also, for me, the book did feel episodic at times. Think about it- the hospital sequence, then the hotel. Then, the morning escaping the hotel and the trip to Eddi's. Then, the next morning, with the drugging and the eventual formation of a plan.
Because of this, I think it'd probably make a better TV (mini)series than a film.

[Kevin Brooks]

Movies and a TV series of the book are being considered by various companies at the moment - so please keep talking about it!
Kevin

[beckyh007]

this is me trying no to be offensive but too many good books are ruined by the tv like i watched jane eyre on the telly but the book are way better and although i cant stand harry potter, fans would say the books are better. no offence kevin but to make a tv show or film makes it seem like your money grabbing and that takes the enjoment out of the books. we watch too many tv shows and we should be encourged to read. also a sequel always ruins the first one as the sequels are often dissapointing! go bristle in all der bristolian glory and u guys make us laugh.kevin da book was gert lush but dont take it to far. right something diffrent and maybe try true to life :shock: sorry if ive offended anyone by my bristolianisms and comments. :roll:

[Kevin Brooks]

I agree I agree I agree ... most films and tv progs of books aren't that good, and personally I always avoid films and tv adaptations of my favourite books. And I agree about sequels too - which is why I've never written one. But money grabbing? Yeah, maybe ... but this is how I make my living, and the reality is that I simply can't afford to have high falutin' principles at the moment. And besides, a bad film doesn't make the book into a bad thing - it's just a bad film.
One more thing - I write something different every time I write a book, and if you'd like to try some of my other novels I think you'll find that they're all very different and all very true to life.
Kevin (the money grabber)

[Amber.sucks]

i think that while the book was great, there wasnt really much dialogue which in a book is fine because while robert is thinking you can read what hes thinking so you dont need too much talking and it doesnt make a book feel empty, but can you imagine that in a movie? there would be long spaces where no one would be talking and it would make the movie seem awkward.

[cillitbang12]

lack of dialogue can be fine in a movie- a good one anyway. The script for Eraserhead is only something like 27 pages long- it's mostly description.

and hooray for Kevin the money grabber!

There's too much talk of "selling out"- although you can do it, I think there's a difference between selling out and paying the bills.

And hey- Bob Dylan's son directs adverts. That's selling out.


on another note- Mr. Brooks, I read Road Of The Dead and I must say I found it much, much better than Being- I was also captivated with the extract of Martyn Pig in the book, and will probably read that next.

so, with that in mind- do you have a favourite? if so, which?

[Kevin Brooks]

Asking an author which of his/her books is their favourite is kind of like asking a parent which of their children they like best. Very hard to answer! Each of my books is very special to me, and I love each one in different ways. How's that for sitting on the fence?
Kevin

[cillitbang12]

very nice, thank you.


*gurns*

[beckyh007]

ok kevin i will read your other books but you must get quite a bit of money for all the books you already have published..so is it really worth turning being into a film! you dont need being to become a film to have a rich lifestyle you should be happy with how much you have and be grateful for every one book you sell you should smile for every thousand books you should smile wider and for every time someone tells you your books were great and you have inspired them you should be at inner peace and be happy of hwat you have achived. sorry for the lack of bristolianism and kevin how you ever considered comming to bristol there are some good schools ie.. john cabot ctc where students and teachers would be glad to see such a succesful writer that has inspired children in all schools.

[beckyh007]

[quote="cillitbang12"]lack of dialogue can be fine in a movie- a good one anyway. The script for Eraserhead is only something like 27 pages long- it's mostly description.

and hooray for Kevin the money grabber!

There's too much talk of "selling out"- although you can do it, I think there's a difference between selling out and paying the bills.

And hey- Bob Dylan's son directs adverts. That's selling out.
quote]

i think it is ok to pay the bills im not exactly going to let kevin go in to bankrupt but there has to be a line on where to draw a line why make it a film when he can have titles that give him such prostiegie ie something along the lines of the smartie prize(if thats stil around) money isnt everything if i ever had a book published i wouldnt want money i would want that everyone who read my book enjoyed it and i would be happy

[cillitbang12]

you like Being, right?


Well, consider this- many people don't read- wouldn't Kevin be spreading his story to a larger audience- bringing more joy?


and, of course, making money while he is at it.

also, Kevin does actually make money out of books. (i assume)


Plus, if he didn't like the film, Kevin could always get his name removed from the credits- Alan Moore did it with V For Vendetta.

[Suspicious]

Well, i think a TV series would suit it better, like someone said, with the different scenes in the book and each different series being those scenes. And, even if it does turn out to be a flop, it could make some people interested in the book, which would be slighty different.