I’ve converted 74 pages of my play from M/S Word into screenplay format via Final Draft. The process is a bit slow, but my target is a zero level draft, ready to rework for film.
The script I’m using is the one for the 2009 staged reading. Most action and stage directions are in the form of narration–not bad, but tightening will definitely be needed. Character action throughout has been done as parentheticals. These will have to be reformatted as action paragraphs.
The dialogue is also problematic. Classical stories for the stage are one thing; a screenplay credible to modern audiences is quite another. I may have to make the thing a lot darker, so the funniest lines are in jeopardy. I won’t really have a clue as to whether the conversion will work until I have it all in front of me.
On the other hand, this is quite different from what’s out there, so if I can establish the Ordinary World strongly enough, I may be able to get away with much of the story as-is. I know the truth is no excuse, but the story is based largely on actual history, giving me a solid foundation or the start of one. Thematic level alterations may be necessary to keep story, plot, and character all working together.
Definitely a challenge!
jguentherauthor 