Adaptation: The Shooting Script

by Charlie Kaufman, Robert McKee (Commentaries by), Susan Orlean (Commentaries by), Susan Orlean (Based On Work by), Donald Kaufman (Screenplay by)

Overview

From the director and writer of Being John Malkovich—a film by Spike Jonze, starring Nicolas Cage and Meryl Streep, from a screenplay by Charlie and Donald Kaufman about the adaptation of the bestselling book The Orchid Thief—an exciting new filmbook in the Newmarket Shooting Script® series.

This latest head trip from director Spike Jonze (Being John Malkovich) concerns an orchid collector (Chris Cooper), a journalist (Meryl Streep as author Susan Orlean), and the screenwriter (Charlie Kaufman, played by Nicolas Cage) who, in adapting Susan Orlean's book The Orchid Thief, writes himself into the movie.

The Orchid Thief tells the story of a Florida man who schemes to clone the "ghost orchid" and sell it to people all over the world who are struck with orchidelirium, the obsession with collecting rare orchids at any price. Adaptation: The Shooting Script® includes the complete screenplay, a selection of 20 black-and-white movie stills, as well as an introduction by Charlie Kaufman.

Author Biography: Screenwriter Charlie Kaufman wrote Being John Malkovich and Human Nature. Director Spike Jonze has directed several features, including Being John Malkovich, and music videos for artists including Björk, The Beastie Boys, Weezer, Daft Punk, Fatboy Slim, and Tenacious D.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781557045805
Publisher:	HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date:	01/28/2003
Series:	Newmarket Shooting Script Series
Pages:	160
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 9.30(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Charlie Kaufman previously collaborated with director Spike Jonze on Being John Malkovich, which was nominated for the Academy Award^® for Best Screenplay. Kaufman's other scripts include Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Human Nature, and Confessions of a Dangerous Mind.

Robert McKee teaches his 3Story Structure2 class annually to sold out auditoriums in Los Angeles, New York, London and film capitals throughout the world. A Fulbright Scholar, this award-winning film and television writer has also served as project and talent development consultant to major production companies such as Tri-Star and Golden Harvest Films. He lives in Los Angeles and Cornwall, England.

Editorial Reviews

Skate rat turned director Spike Jonze followed up his wildly inventive Being John Malkovich with another metaflick, Adaptation. Written by Charlie Kaufman, the man who brought audiences inside John Malkovich's head, it is based on the true story of his attempt at adapting Susan Orlean's The Orchid Thief to screen. Sound confusing? Finding the truth in his story is a tricky thing, as Rob Feld explains in his Q&A with Kaufman and Jonze. Evidently, when he was unable to dramatize a flower successfully, Kaufman writes himself, fictional twin Donald (also credited as coauthor), and a host of others into the script about writing a script for the flower. The result is a twisted tale of writer's block so good that it is brought to the screen instead of Orlean's book. The Jonze-Kaufman collaboration produced an original and mind-bending world that earned Golden Globe nominations for best Screenplay and Best Motion Picture: Musical or Comedy. Nicholas Cage, who plays both Kaufmans, also picked up a nomination, while Meryl Streep won for Best Supporting Actress. Another no-brainer for forward-thinking film collections, with exclusive commentary from Orlean herself. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

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