What Does It Mean to Film ‘Faithfully to the Original Work’?

Some films are adapted from novels. Naturally, if a story is popular enough to be adapted, it means the original work has captured a loyal audience.

However, adaptations inevitably spark debates and polarizing opinions, with negative critiques often revolving around the disparity between expectations and reality: “This looks nothing like I imagined!”

Challenges of Adapting Novels to Film

At times, changes in the adaptation process may seem unnecessary or even counterproductive. But to critique these choices with comments like, “Why didn’t they just stick to the novel?” reveals a fundamental misunderstanding of the challenge.

For novels, the criticism “This doesn’t align with my imagination!” only reflects an individual’s unique interpretation of the story—it’s entirely subjective.

Even when an author claims the casting “perfectly aligns” with their characters, outsiders may still dismiss these choices as studio pandering. However, questioning the creator’s own intent is unwarranted.

Moreover, novels and films operate on entirely different narrative and structural foundations. For example, capturing a “faithful adaptation” requires transforming abstract textual ideas into tangible visual expressions.

Abstract Writing vs. Concrete Filmmaking

Prose often leans heavily on abstract, evocative descriptions that cannot seamlessly translate into a visual medium. Concepts like a character’s internal thoughts must be conveyed differently on screen, as audiences cannot hear their thoughts—no matter how well an actor performs.

Let’s examine this passage: “In a dystopian near future, lawlessness runs rampant, and humanity has lost all hope.”

While this line effectively paints a general mood in written form, it offers no specific imagery for filmmakers to depict visually. This is where interpretation—and inevitable divergence—enters the process.

Translating Words Into Visuals

To visualize the scenario above, consider these options: A bustling city, once pristine, now plagued by chaos. Buildings designed with futuristic industrial motifs denote “a near future,” while cracked glass and graffiti-stained walls suggest societal decay.

Nearby, a vandalized police station with shattered windows conveys lawlessness, while burned-out cars occupy streets overrun by aimless drifters. These visual cues communicate what text describes abstractly.

However, deciding on these depictions involves choices and trade-offs. After all, no single visual representation satisfies everyone’s imagination.

Achieving Visual Depth Without Breaking the Budget

It’s a mistake to think these immersive scenes always require expensive setups or large-scale sets. For instance:

1. Start with a stock photo or footage of a building resembling a police station.
2. Use Photoshop to add broken glass or make other adjustments.
3. Incorporate miniature models for burnt-out cars and layer in actors filmed against green screens.

With this approach, even low-budget productions can achieve sophisticated imagery that reflects the narrative’s core ideas.

Final Takeaway

Adapting novels into films isn’t about translating each word verbatim—it’s about respecting the spirit while embracing the creative reinterpretation necessary for a new medium.