Books and Cinema

February 14, 2013

Hollywood has been converting books into movies for ages. However, in the more recent years, there has been a surge of popularity in this method. This, at first, seems a little odd. After all, doesn’t the public want to see new, creative movies with shiny new storylines? I know that I personally love nothing more than a good story. When you think about it, though, making movies out of books is a very smart move for filmmakers.

By making a movie out of a story that has already been published, there is a degree of fiscal security to the production. After all, the storyline has been tested on the market, the sales of the book providing a litmus test for how well the public receives it. A book that sold well in print should in theory also provide decent sales at the box office because the story is proven as acceptable and many of those that were fans of the book will come to see the movie production with their friends. It’s the same idea as remaking a movie. All of the existing fans come in addition to a few new ones.

Sure, this method might keep the movie from being a fantastic movement of creativity resulting in an explosion at the box office. However, there is a guarantee of at least a modest profit, which in this economy can be enough of a draw for filmmakers. Books make for safe cinema.

Heather G.
Oak Grove Branch