I don’t like to mix my books with my movies.
It all started when I was a child and I watched a really horrible version of The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe that we had been given for Christmas one year. I was eager to watch a favourite book of mine come to life in front of me and horrified when I realized that the shoddy sets and poor casting was changing the magical world that I had already created in my own imagination. Needless to say, I did not finish watching that movie, and I never again approached a book to film adaptation without seriously considering the ramifications.
While I still stubbornly refuse to watch the Twilight movies or The Hunger Game movies or the Harry Potter movies (despite the fact that being immersed in culture has ensured that I will forever imagine HP as Daniel Radcliffe from this point on), I have thoroughly enjoyed The Lord of the Rings movies and the newer adaptation of The Chronicles of Narnia. I’m not exclusive, but I am selective.
The newest book to movie adaptation hitting the big screens is The Fault in Our Stars. I’ve read the book twice (my review is linked in the book title) and I admittedly follow the author around the interwebs a bit. I watched the Vlog Brothers You Tube channel long before I read TFIOS (The Fault in Our Stars) and, as I’m sure you know, when you follow someone on the Internet, you kind of start to feel like you know them. So when John Green started sharing that there was a TFIOS movie in the works and that it was going to be awesome, I started considering whether it would be one of those select movies that I would actually end up watching.
I became officially convinced during the phone call I had with author John Green.
I was asked to be one of 10 bloggers who would participate in a phone interview with John Green in anticipation of the movie’s release. While this is not something I normally agree to, I kind of loved the idea of speaking to someone that I see on my computer quite often. The bloggers were instructed to restrict our questions to the subject of the book to movie process, whichw as understandable. As a parent blogger, I was kind of hoping to ask John Green about how he made time to write novels while being a Dad to a baby and a preschooler, or how being on set often (in a different state) affected his family life, but I came up with 10 questions about the book to movie process (which was good, because I was called on ninth to ask my question and my top few had definitely already been asked).
What became abundantly clear on the phone call was that John Green loves this movie. This isn’t his baby. He didn’t write the screenplay or cast the characters. He wasn’t even sure if he wanted TFIOS to be turned into a movie at first. But he watched the process as the author of the story and witnessed how genuinely the film makers wanted to stay true to it. John Green assured us a number of times that as the author, he did not have to take part in the marketing campaign for the movie. He was doing it because he genuinely thinks it is a great movie that stays true to his book.
He was on set throughout most of the filming. When I asked him what his role was on set, he told me that he didn’t really have a role but he took on the role of being “professionally excited”.
I didn’t have a role. But, I think it’s nice to have somebody on a movie set who’s not doing anything, because everyone else is so busy and they’re working so hard and they’re talking about, “Did we get this coverage or that coverage,” and, “Did we get it this way? Did we get it that way? Did the light change?” And I could just be like, “Hey, everybody, hold on for a second. This is awesome. Let’s take a step back and realize how ridiculously awesome this is.”
…So, I was professionally excited on the set. And it’s such a crazy thing, because to be honest with you I always thought of movies as a kind of dilution, that when all these collaborators come in, the thing inevitably weakens and softens. And I think that’s often the case. But, what I found is that, when people come in and they’re passionate and they really care about the story, it can add to it. It can bring new things to it. So, every day it just felt wonderful on the set. It really did. I mean, I just felt like I was being given such a tremendous gift just to be able to be there and watch them make this movie, make it so carefully and thoughtfully.
Hearing John (can I call him John?) say this pretty much gave me the warm fuzzies and ensured that I will be seeing the movie, and not despite the fact that it is based on a book, but because it is.
The Fault in Our Stars movie, by Twentieth Century Fox, is in theatres on June 6th.
Will you be seeing The Fault in Our Stars? What do you think about movies that are based on books? Does this mean that John and I are best friends now?
Check out the other bloggers who were on the call with John and me:
Judy Berna from GeekMom.com
Laura Fanklin from BetterInBulk.net
Katie from Mundie Moms
Stacey Nerdin from TreeRootandTwig.com
Sara Pitre from ForeverYoungAdult.com
Jamie Bennett from PerpetualPageTurner
Sara Gundell from NovelNovice.com
Amanda Donovan from 5MinutesForMom.com
Holly Rosen from TheCultureTripper
Yes! You are definitely BFFs with John Green now. :)
I am glad you had a list of 10 questions, because it would be sad to have your single-great-and-most-perfect question asked by someone else. Aack! Nice job.
I love that you are sharing the other bloggers’ sites. That is very generous and kind of you. Such a sweetheart!
I would like to see TFIOS, yes. I likely will not go to the theatre to see it though. Although, maybe…
Books and movies are not always meant to be. ;) Sometimes you have to take them as two completely unrelated works and just accept that fact (Girl Interrupted). Sometimes the worlds are developed so amazingly well (casting perfectly done, setting and locations just right) that you just love them no matter what (HP & LOTR). And sometimes they fall flat (Shopgirl).
Congratulations on a successful foray into hobnobbing with the rich and famous! :D
Peady recently posted..Here’s to the ladies who lunch!
I was happy to share the other bloggers. Nor common practice (as I see with the other links) but I good practice, I think. :)
I love his quote! It must have been such a dream come true for you to speak to him – totes jealous :)
Yes, I will definitely watch the film, I’m REALLY looking forward to it actually.
Alison recently posted..Through The Lens Thursday #22: Home
A dream come true? Pft. With all my blogging success, this interview was just a normal Tuesday night for me. ;)
Will I be seeing this movie?! Abso-friggin-lutely!!! In fact I’ve already debated being there two hours early to see it on opening night. I’m slightly obsessed, whenever the preview comes on I shush everyone around me, despite having seen it 10000 times. I convinced my students to read it and some went on to create TFIOS instagram accounts. I leant my copy to my sister and I have a time-line set for re-purchase if she doesn’t return it to me. This book touched my heart in my so many ways, I think partly because our family was having a rough go with cancer at the time and it was a nice distraction without being completely zoned out.
I don’t mind book-to-movie adaptions but I almost always make it a rule to read the book before watching the movie because sometimes….the movies can be disastrous (My sister’s keeper anyone?!). However, I’ve gotten a little bit more lax on this rule as seeing “Heaven is for Real” and “The mortal instruments: city of bones” convinced me to read the books!
You guys are totally BFF and I’m super JEALOUS!!
Love this. You are so enthusiastic! Wish we could go together!
Generally, if I have read and loved the book, I come away from movies based on book a little disappointed. Books make movies in our imaginations that often don’t compare to a big screen interpretation. This one sounds as though it translates the feeling of the book very well. It is awesome when that happens!
Kim recently posted..Growing Together – Guest Post at Raising Humans
Exactly! A movie may be great but I treasure what I have already imagined while reading and movies can shatter that.
I just got this overwhelming feeling that when I’m in the theater watching, I’m going to be sobbing like a preteen girl. Sigh. But that’s okay. And now I need to make plans and find a friend to go with me. I love JG’s answer to your question…”professionally excited.” How awesome.
I LOVE the Hunger Games movies. And at least the first Twilight. I positively absorbed those books (esp Twilight, either being pregnant or with a bitty baby).
Greta recently posted..NASA in my Car (Seat) #EvenfloPlatinum
Twilight is like my hardcore “I will never watch those movies” because I hate hate hate the casting choices, especially Robert Pattinson.
I will totally be crying in the theatre too.
What a wonderful opportunity! I am so happy to hear that he was happy with the process, I found it pretty fascinating. I think it would be so hard to turn over your story to other people. (Not that I would refuse if anyone wanted to make a movie about something I wrote, lol!)
I agree with you, I am almost always disspointed seeing movies that were based on books I read.
To be honest, I haven’t read this particular book, I was afraid it would be too sad. But I want to read it before I see the movie. Especially after reading about your interview. Thanks for sharing your enthusiasm.
Angela Youngblood recently posted..Summer Soundtrack- A Music Review
It is a sad book. But wonderful too. And there are moments to laugh. It really isn’t too sad to disregard. :)
This is awesome. I feel all fan girl right now. :)
Also, I can’t wait to share this with my students next year when they read FIOS because the kids who read it this year LOVED it.
Also I can’t wait to see the movie. I get to go to an advanced screening with Make a Wish :)
Katie recently posted..Through the Lens {May}
Oooh! Advanced screening! So exciting! I thought about getting tickets to The Night Before Our Stars, but decided to not look like a MAJOR keener (then I found out it would be the way to see the John Green cameo that got cut from the final film.) I’m such a loser. :)
Laura O’Rourke recently posted..That Time I Talked with John Green
that quote is what pushed my mascara to the limit last week as I read the book. I had resisted the book and then when I started it I just couldn’t stop…laughing, crying, wishing I had written that quote etc/
so glad you got to talk to him and I can’t wait for the movie. Thank you for sharing the discussion (and your excitement ) with us.
kir recently posted..I’m Listening {Happy Mother’s Day to my Incredible Mom}
That’s what I loved about the book! It was not just a crying book but a laughing book too! Thank you for sharing in my excitement! :)
I just finished writing my wedding vows….they begin with that quote!
I’m very picky about the movie adaptations I choose to see. I don’t think I’ll see this because the more I love a book, the less likely I am to be interested in the movie. And I adored this book. I don’t want to give it the chance to change my remembrance, if that makes sense. I love that you got to talk to him, though, and I’m happier that he enjoyed the movie making process and likes the outcome.
Arnebya recently posted..Reprogramming
WHAT. I’m so jealous you got to converse with John Green. I’ve been a Nerdfighter since the beginning and have really enjoyed watching things evolve as he’s been vlogging over the years. I adored TFIOS and will be heading to the theatre with a box of kleenex at the ready. :)
Krista recently posted..On Organization
Yes, I will be seeing the movie … and yes, I’m super jealous that you had an actual, real life conversation with John Green (as opposed to a fake one?).
Kara recently posted..Life: The Musical
Okay… that’s pretty amazing that you were able to interview John Green. I just finished reading The Fault and I’m obscenely excited to see it in theaters, in a way I haven’t been excited to see another adaption since maybe Twilight (which, I’ll be honest, kind of killed book/movie transitions for me).
I also adore that he was so genuinely excited to be a part of the filmmaking. He sounds like a wonderful person who is also truly passionate about his craft. Love this!
Charlotte recently posted..Are your social media habits hurting your relationships?
What an amazing experience! I have not seen the movie nor read the book, but it is on my list. I don’t know what I’m waiting for, because everyone loooooves both. :)
Andrea recently posted..Spam Loves My Blog