Cass Ford Talks, Film or TV Adaptations

THINK BIG (SCREEN)
Outlining Your Book with Film (or TV) Adaptations in Mind by Cass Ford

As a development producer in Los Angeles, it’s my job to turn ideas into entertainment. Often people pitch me TV show concepts that I produce. But another way to develop captivating content is to create it myself. So I outlined my debut smutty romance novel, Prince Of Sin, with a film adaptation in mind.

Why? These days, it seems like every other movie (or TV series) is a book adaptation. Rarely do I swap my cozy couch for a sticky movie theater seat, yet I saw Crazy Rich Asians opening weekend. According to research by Frontier Economics, film adaptations of novels gross 53% more worldwide than original screenplays. That’s a TON of cash. No wonder books sell films.

So here are my tips for outlining your novel with the big (or small) screen in mind.

UNDERSTAND STORY STRUCTURE— When a producer reads your novel, you want them already picturing it as a movie or series. Film screenplays are extremely formulaic and most follow a three-act structure. Some writers criticize that structure. Learn about different approaches. Read film scripts and treatments (often found online for free), then decide for yourself which structure to follow. Outline your novel or series accordingly.

With the popularity of Game of Thrones and The Handmaid’s Tale, you might want to go the TV route. Beyond reading pilot and spec scripts, get familiar with show bibles and treatments.

I also recommend Karl Iglesias’ book Writing For Emotional Impact. I’m not affiliated with it in any way, though I took one of Karl’s classes at the UCLA Extension. It’s one of my go-to writing books, especially when outlining.

GET FEEDBACK— As I wrote my film treatment (which became the Prince Of Sin novel outline), I consistently received feedback from a professor and classmates. Staying open to their feedback took the story to fresh, better places.

If you can’t take an outline class, join (or start) a writer’s group. Or exchange outline notes with other authors. Don’t know any fellow storytellers? Find some. Online you can join author groups or critiquing websites, or search for local writer meet ups.

THINK CINEMATICALLY — In Prince Of Sin, I moved an argument scene from a parking lot to a moving train. Sure, the parking lot was more realistic. And in the novel, I could have beautifully written the gloomy night as symbolic of their grim relationship.

But from day one, I imagined Prince Of Sin on the silver screen. Where do the stakes feel higher? As our protagonists walk to their cars, argue and drive away? Or while speeding across town on a crowded train, where either party can hop off any stop?

That scene was purposeful and cinematically-aware, as are the pole dance strip tease and stormy mountaintop love scene. Intrigued? That’s my plug to order my scintillating novel Prince Of Sin (hopefully coming soon to a theater near you).

About Cass Ford

Cass Ford began creating smoldering male protagonists when she was five years old and convinced her aunt that she had a hot and heavy kindergarten boyfriend. In grade school, she penned tales on her parents’ typewriter and by middle school sold her own love and gossip magazines to friends. As a preteen at sleepover camp, Cass often told playful, steamy bedtime stories to her bunkmates.

After earning her Bachelor of Journalism degree and several TV/film certificates, Cass continued to hone her passion for storytelling as a television development producer. Born and raised in Canada, she now resides in California.

About Prince of Sin

Prince of Sin by Cass Ford
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Synopsis

When a savvy gossip vlogger and porn’s most renowned bad boy fall in lust, they must decide if they’ll follow passion into dangerous territory.

When savvy gossip vlogger Morgan Sidney gets assigned the breakup of porn’s most illustrious couple, she strikes a deal with her boss—if she scores an exclusive, she’ll get promoted. So when the famous and flirtatious Prince of Sin offers to fulfill her three wildest sex fantasies, Morgan must decide whether she’ll keep things professional or surrender and explore her sensual side.

As someone who despises the media, why is Chase Prince spending time with a reporter? Clearly, he’s intrigued. But can a scorched sinner—and the biggest smut star around—let a fierce civilian enter his domain?

Prince of Sin takes readers beyond Tinseltown’s glossy Hollywood Hills to Silicone Valley—for a behind-the-scenes look at a sometimes bleak, always risqué world.

Add to your Goodreads shelf.

Purchase on Amazon | EXstasy Books