PARK: Why we need more book-to-screen adaptations
Column: The Queue
As an avid reader, I used to despise films that were adapted from books.
Something (perhaps a superiority complex) about having read the book before most of the world was introduced to the story through the big screen made me feel like I was better than the rest of the film's fans.
Adaptations have become widely popular as various streaming platforms have obtained the rights to make screenplays of our favorite books. Some examples include Hulu's miniseries adaptation of Sally Rooney's "Normal People," HBO's drama adaptation of Liane Moriarty's "Big Little Lies" and most recently, Amazon Prime's take on Taylor Jenkins Reid's "Daisy Jones and the Six."
These shows and movies have brought a new perspective to the source material. Books rely on description and the reader's creativity to paint the scene, with internal monologues driving the story as we read into the protagonist's mind. On a screen, though, there is an advantage of being able to show instead of tell.
Skilled adaptations can bring out nuances the average reader may have otherwise brushed over while reading the book. Having a visual aid and details can enrich the story further and make it more relevant for modern audiences to enjoy, especially for classic stories or ones written more than a few decades ago.
One of the more universal ways these screen adaptations make a huge impact on a story is by creating a new surge of interest. There is huge potential when streaming services announce an adaptation of a fan-favorite book. There is more buzz among fans, press tours and social media engagement.
Ultimately, screen adaptations create a community, combining those who love the original novel and those being newly introduced to the story. This allows a wider audience to engage with the material and greatly impacts the entertainment industry.
That is not to say adaptations are without flaws. Die-hard fans will complain about missed details or argue how some adaptations will never capture the full essence of the original book. This can sometimes be true, whether it be due to casting decisions, budget limits or simple directorial choices that veer from the original plot.
But regarding media coverage, these kinds of inconsistencies can generate more discussion about the adaptations and compel more people to watch them.
Besides being wildly entertaining, adaptations are great for the publishing industry. In recent years, they have received high reviews, creating success for the cast and the authors of the source materials. After a film or TV show is released, book sales can rapidly increase.
It also goes the other way, as screenplays adapted from books create 53 percent more revenue than original ones. In 2019, Netflix was notably on a "book-buying spree" and has only continued since.
One of Amazon Prime's most recent book-to-screen adaptations, "Daisy Jones and the Six," was picked up by Resse Witherspoon and her production company, Hello Sunshine. The show stars Sam Claflin, an actor known for his work in book adaptations, Elvis' granddaughter Riley Keough and model and singer Suki Waterhouse.
The story revolves around a fictional band in the 70s, and the show is told via an interview and flashback format. In addition to the drama, the highlight of this show is its music.
A fictional album was actually written, recorded and released to go along with this show. Loosely based on and inspired by the famous 70s band Fleetwood Mac, this show has gained significant popularity with a wide audience.
Its social media presence is top-tier. Suki Waterhouse constantly posts "behind the scenes" clips on TikTok, making the world obsessed with the cast. And back to the music, the 70s rock tunes have become popular with a younger audience who now have exposure to that great genre, which is probably what many parents listened to at our age.
We can continue to question the actual accuracy of book adaptations. Like many things, they are not perfect. But that does not take away from the entertainment value they add and the financial influx adaptations bring to the publishing industry.
It is plain and simple. They create a new stream of revenue that some of these stories do not see in their lifetime, no matter how popular they may be from the start.
Annabel Park is a sophomore at Rutgers Business School majoring in marketing and minoring in health administration. Her column, "The Queue," runs on alternate Tuesdays.
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