Giving context to PJ's changes

Jon S. · 09-12-2008, 10:05 PM

Ursula K. Le Guin sure has a few choice words to say about the Earthsea mini-series. And a comment on the LOTR films in doing so.

http://www.ursulakleguin.com/Earthsea.html

Quote:

I wonder if the people who made the film of The Lord of the Rings had ended it with Frodo putting on the Ring and ruling happily ever after, and then claimed that that was what Tolkien "intended..." would people think they'd been "very, very honest to the books"?

Ursula K. Le Guin
13 November 2004

Jon S. · 09-12-2008, 10:14 PM

And:

http://www.locusmag.com/2005/Issues/01LeGuin.html

***Earniel*** · 09-13-2008, 05:19 AM

I'm not sure if this actually puts context to Jackson's changes or just highlights what different animals writers and moviemakers are. I don't think any writer actually likes seeing film-makers making seemingly unnecessary changes to their material. A movie can reach a good number of people, but if the story they get to see doesn't resemble the writer's work, it may not be quite worth it for the writer.

I agree with LeGuin that a moviemaker deciding for you what you intended in the story is rather arrogant. I always disliked this part in book reviews for school, making presumptions on the themes or messages a writer may have intended. Let the writers say that for themselves, because otherwise you'll just end up making up a lot. And you know, sometimes, stories are just meant as stories.

Were my stories ever considered for a movie, I hope I'm dead before that happens... But only after I'm paid.

Jon S. · 09-13-2008, 11:09 AM

You're correct, Earniel. I love Le Guin's writing - so melancholy and uplifting at the same time - so I couldn't resist myself when the opportunity to link her to Tolkien and filmaking arose simultaneously. Also, as you may be aware, I'm from the school who actually appreciates many, though hardly all, of Jackson's plot/dialogue changes. I also thought folks - well, some - might appreciate Le Guin's deep appreciation of and for Philippa Boyen (so many people here see the glass only as half-empty on this point).

***Earniel*** · 09-13-2008, 12:51 PM

Ah, I see. Yes, good point. If Le Guin indeed wanted Boyen on the team, she must have thought the script adaptation of LoTR sufficiently acceptable. It would have been interesting to see if Boyen's final work also would have gotten Le Guin's approval. Judging on other people's book adaptation is of course always different than your own.

That reminds me that I've got the Earthsea miniseries on DVD, but I haven't gotten around to see whether and how they differ from the books...

sisterandcousinandaunt · 09-17-2008, 11:05 AM

Interesting articles. I wasn't even aware someone was messing with Earthsea...probably just as well.

brownjenkins · 10-02-2008, 04:23 PM

Writer's are much too sensitive!

Empress_Flynn · 10-02-2008, 04:33 PM

Lol... yeah well... it's part of the job

Most writers tend to see their work as deeply personal and like their children...

I think you'd be sensitive too if what was basically your child was maimed...

09-12-2008, 10:14 PM	#2
Jon S. Elven Warrior Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 455	And: http://www.locusmag.com/2005/Issues/01LeGuin.html __________________ Don't curse the darkness - light a candle.

09-13-2008, 05:19 AM	#3
*Earniel* The Chocoholic Sea Elf Administrator Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: N?n in Eilph (Belgium) Posts: 14,363	I'm not sure if this actually puts context to Jackson's changes or just highlights what different animals writers and moviemakers are. I don't think any writer actually likes seeing film-makers making seemingly unnecessary changes to their material. A movie can reach a good number of people, but if the story they get to see doesn't resemble the writer's work, it may not be quite worth it for the writer. I agree with LeGuin that a moviemaker deciding for you what you intended in the story is rather arrogant. I always disliked this part in book reviews for school, making presumptions on the themes or messages a writer may have intended. Let the writers say that for themselves, because otherwise you'll just end up making up a lot. And you know, sometimes, stories are just meant as stories. Were my stories ever considered for a movie, I hope I'm dead before that happens... But only after I'm paid. __________________ We are not things.

09-13-2008, 11:09 AM	#4
Jon S. Elven Warrior Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 455	You're correct, Earniel. I love Le Guin's writing - so melancholy and uplifting at the same time - so I couldn't resist myself when the opportunity to link her to Tolkien and filmaking arose simultaneously. Also, as you may be aware, I'm from the school who actually appreciates many, though hardly all, of Jackson's plot/dialogue changes. I also thought folks - well, some - might appreciate Le Guin's deep appreciation of and for Philippa Boyen (so many people here see the glass only as half-empty on this point). __________________ Don't curse the darkness - light a candle.

09-13-2008, 12:51 PM	#5
*Earniel* The Chocoholic Sea Elf Administrator Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: N?n in Eilph (Belgium) Posts: 14,363	Ah, I see. Yes, good point. If Le Guin indeed wanted Boyen on the team, she must have thought the script adaptation of LoTR sufficiently acceptable. It would have been interesting to see if Boyen's final work also would have gotten Le Guin's approval. Judging on other people's book adaptation is of course always different than your own. That reminds me that I've got the Earthsea miniseries on DVD, but I haven't gotten around to see whether and how they differ from the books... __________________ We are not things.

09-17-2008, 11:05 AM	#6
sisterandcousinandaunt Elf Lord Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 4,535	Interesting articles. I wasn't even aware someone was messing with Earthsea...probably just as well. __________________ That would be the swirling vortex to another world. Cool. I want one. TMNT No, I'm not emo. I just have a really poor sense of direction. (Thanks to katya for this quote) This is the best news story EVER! http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26087293/ “Often my haste is a mistake, but I live with the consequences without complaint.”...John McCain "I shall go back. And I shall find that therapist. And I shall whack her upside her head with my blanket full of rocks." ...Louisa May

10-02-2008, 04:23 PM	#7
brownjenkins Advocatus Diaboli Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Reality Posts: 3,767	Writer's are much too sensitive! __________________ Your reality, sir, is lies and balderdash and I'm delighted to say that I have no grasp of it whatsoever.

10-02-2008, 04:33 PM	#8
Empress_Flynn Elf Lord Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Everywhere and nowhere Posts: 814	Lol... yeah well... it's part of the job Most writers tend to see their work as deeply personal and like their children... I think you'd be sensitive too if what was basically your child was maimed... __________________ "Even a mirror will not show you yourself, if you do not wish to see." "But remember... clowns make two things around here: balloon animals... and enemies." "If I loved you then I would love you in any way I could, and if we could not touch, then I would draw strength from your beauty... And if I went blind, I would fill my soul with the sound of your voice and the contents of your thoughts until the last spark of my love for you lit the shabby darkness of my dying mind." Last edited by Empress_Flynn : 10-02-2008 at 04:35 PM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Homosexual marriage II	klatukatt	General Messages	736	05-15-2013 01:15 PM
Theological Opinions	Nurvingiel	General Messages	992	02-10-2006 04:15 PM
Gays, lesbians, bisexuals	Nurvingiel	General Messages	988	02-06-2006 01:33 PM
Giving up smoking	Dunadan	General Messages	154	03-17-2003 09:47 AM