In order to create a film or play based on a Shakespearian script, a writer must remember that he or she should not go too far in changing the story. While the film, Romeo and Juliet (1996) fared well in theaters, some Shakespearian fans thought it was a cheesy remake. The same can be said of Hamlet (1996), which had many qualities of the original play, but lacked some of the most important plot points.

In order to create a Shakespearian-inspired script, an individual must become familiar with the master. In addition to that, the writer must be humble enough to realize the tremendous impact that Shakespeare had on the literary world. By becoming humble, the writer may be able to characterize the emotions of the original play in a respectfully done modern adaptation.

Remember that people come to Shakespearian-inspired films and plays with their own pre-conceptions. They have, more than likely, read the original Shakespeare play and will judge the new film against his original work. To go against Shakespeare is like a fight between David and Goliath. But instead of fighting the giant, the writer must learn to stand on his shoulders.

Below is a list of some of the greatest and worst Shakespearian-inspired scripts. Take note of the differences that make them good or bad. Sometimes all it takes is a little too much creativity to cause the popularity and emotion of the film to plummet. The best plays consist of a person making the most of their technological advances to further the ideas that Shakespeare had already pictured but perhaps, lacked the technology to display.

1. (1956) Forbidden Planet [Transcript]
2. (1958) Kiss Me Kate [Transcript]
3. (1967) Chimes At Midnight [Script] – For Purchase
4. (1968) Romeo and Juliet [Transcript]
5. (1989) My Own Private Idaho Script
6. (1990) Hamlet [Transcript]
7. (1996) Romeo and Juliet [Transcript]
8. (1996) Hamlet [Script] – For Purchase
9. (1999) A Midsummer Night’s Dream [Transcript]
10. (1999) Ten Things I Hate About You Script
11. (2000) Hamlet [Script] – For Purchase
12. (2003) Deliver Us From Eva [Transcript]
13. (2004) The Merchant of Venice [Transcript]
14. (2006) She’s the Man [Script] – For Purchase

Many of these film scripts make it to the big screen, simply because audiences cannot get enough of this tragic love story. However, the success of a movie depends solely on the film maker’s ability to weld his or her creativity with the work of Shakespeare.

In the film, Romeo + Juliet (1996), Director Baz Luhrmann took a chance by creating a modern landscape with the same romantic couple. In this sexy, high fashion world, he was able to paint an astounding picture of the lovers’ lives that attracted young audiences everywhere.

Some people thought that the film was trash, but to this day it is still a very popular film.

On the other hand, a film maker can create a great adaptation by merely, omitting most of Shakespeare’s direct influence. In these films, the advertisements make no mention that the love story is based on Shakespeare. In fact, the film can only hint to the possibility of a relationship. A good example of this is the film, Underworld (2003) that tells the story of a doomed relationship between a wolf-man and a vampire.

By leaving out the potential influence of Shakespeare, the director steered clear of the “Shakespeare Police” crowd, who are characterized by their severe, religious devotion to the original Shakespeare plays; and will blow the whistle at anyone who tries to take too much creative freedom in the depiction.

So take note from the following film scripts and determine what route to take when writing a “Romeo and Juliet” styled play. There are a million creative ways that it can be expressed- it just requires an original mind to employ them.

1.  (1961) West Side Story Script
2. (1998) The Lion King 2: Simba’s Pride Script
3. (1961) Romanoff and Juliet Script
4. (1996) Romeo + Juliet Script
5. (2003) Underworld [Transcript]

This character trait is so attractive, in fact, that the movie industry has been able to make a multi-million dollar business off of it! With films like Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist, people are able to see a side of love that is not often seen today. Instead of attraction based on physical appearance, there is such a thing as attraction based on kindness and a loving nature.

Without love, many people would live without motivation or hope. With it, some people can be spurred towards moving mountains. Because of this, it is important for the movie industry to continue making romantic films, although many of the films can come off as sappy or trite. We all need to see that love can win, even if it is only on the movie screen.

1. (1939) Wuthering Heights Script [Transcript]
2. (1994) Forrest Gump Script
3. (1996) Romeo and Juliet Script
4. (1997) Titanic Script
5. (2004) The Very Long Engagement Script  [Transcript]
6. (2007) Love in the Time of Cholera Script  [Transcript]
7. (2007) The Nines Script

One of the classic genres of horror films is based on ghosts. Ghosts are pure fodder to the horror film maker because it is something that cannot be understood. Some people believe that ghosts are good while others believe that ghosts are bad. Some believe that ghosts do not exist while others attest to the opposite.

The general indecision that people have about ghosts makes it easy for film makers to come up with new plots and reasoning as to why ghosts exist. They determine the level of power a ghost has as well as their ability to bend time, space or circumstances in their favor. There is no right or wrong answer, so the film maker has a lot of room to be creative.

Film makers and writers would do well to read some of the following scripts. These scripts are composed of some of the best ghost stories that have ever graced the cinema screen. They show the infinite amount of creative control that a film maker can have when making a ghost story film. It also shows how much more potential has been untouched by film makers, and are diamonds yet to be discovered.m maker has the freedom to change as much or as little as he wishes.

Keep in mind, not all of the films listed below are horror films. But the original ideas make them interesting tools for a horror film maker to learn from and build upon.

1. (1939) Wuthering Heights Script [Transcript]
2. (1980) The Shining Script
3. (1980) The Fog Script
4. (1982) Poltergeist Script
5. (1990) Ghost Script
6. (1995) Casper Script [Transcript]
7. (2001) The Others Script  [Transcript]
8. (2002) Dark Water Script  [Transcript]
9. (2007) Paranormal Activity Script  [Transcript]

These film scripts are like solid gold. With just a pen and paper (or sometimes a computer), these writers have been able to change the lives of other people. Their scripts were enough to encourage people to be kind, to live life to the fullest, or to be brave in a time of danger.

There is not much that can be said about technique. Each person’s strategy is unique and should not be emulated by others, lest the technique might lose its power. However, these scripts show how a person’s life experiences, education and determination can wrap together a story into a coherent and touching film.

The only advice that they give to future film makers, writers and actors is to find something that they believe in and work to express that to the best of their ability. This may take years and years of practice and revision but in the end, everything will hopefully tie together and create something that not only the individual believes in, but that the world believes in as well.

Good luck.

1. (1995) Braveheart Script
2. (1996) Independence Day Script
3. (1997) Titanic Script
4. (2000) Dancer in the Dark [Transcript]
5. (2000) Requiem for a Dream Script
6. (2001) Amelie Transcript
7. (2004) Crash Script
8. (2007) Love in the Time of Cholera [Transcript]

Because of this, psychiatric institutions are otherworldly- an experience that many fear to enter but will do so if from the safety of their home. Many films have been made about psychiatric institutions. Dramas, comedies and horror films have taken from the taboo world to create fictional stories that delight viewers. However, there are a few films that stand out from the rest.

From the complex world of psychiatric institutions, here are some of the best scripts that depict both the gritty realism of the experience and an interesting story to go along with it.

1. (1975) One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest Script
2. (1995) 12 Monkeys Script
3. (1999) Girl, Interrupted Script
4. (2001) Don’t Say a Word Script [Transcript]
5. (2002) The Ring Script [Transcript]
6. (2008) Changeling Script

Many of the best psychological disorder films were written by people who actually had the disorder. This adds realism and definition to the characters and makes it likeable by many audiences. However, some disorders (such as schizophrenia) can be so debilitating that it’s difficult to find a person who can write a story representing their experience.

So in these cases, writers are given a challenge to try to experience something they know nothing about using only clinical definitions and second-hand accounts from doctors or family members. But when an interesting perspective is found, it opens a path that allows many people to experience a different state of mind as well.

Below is a list of some of the best film scripts based on a person with a mental disorder. From these scripts, a writer will be able to see how disorders are characterized by people with experience and those without. By taking note of the methods used in writing these scripts, a person will be better prepared to show the perspective of someone or something that they had never experienced in their lives; yet do so in a way that is believable.

For those who have suffered with a disorder, these scripts show how to use scenes and dialogue to help people understand what it feels like to live with that disorder.

1. (2003) Identity Script
2. (2002) May Script [Transcript]
3. (2001) Donnie Darko Script
4. (2001) A Beautiful Mind Script [Transcript]
5. (1999) Fight Club Script
6. (1999) Girl, Interrupted Script [Transcript]
7. (1997) As Good As It Gets Script
8. (1993) What’s Eating Gilbert Grape? Script [Transcript]
9. (1988) Rain Man Script  [Transcript]

Given this change of perspective, a Vietnam war film is much different than the patriotic war films of the World War 2 era. These films show gritty life, pessimistic outcomes, and psychological damage to the full extent. There are many great films that have been inspired by the anti-war movement and the Vietnam war, but none so much as the ones listed here.

By reading these scripts, a person will learn how to write a war script that brings out the psychological harm, personal struggles and indecision that was prevalent during the Vietnam war.

1. (1979) Apocalypse Now Script
2. (1979) The Deer Hunter Script
3. (1986) Platoon Script
4. (1987) Full Metal Jacket Script
5. (1987) Good Morning Vietnam Script
6. (1989) Born on the 4th of July Script
7. (1994) Forrest Gump Script

It’s difficult to show this kind of world or explain it in a way that makes sense. The following scripts were written by people who attempted to show the prison structure of their time in the most poignant way possible. By reading these scripts, a person will have a perspective into the ever-changing world of prisons that are continually evolving and changing with each coming generation.

Filmography

1. (1967) Cool Hand Luke
2. (1973) Papillon
3. (1994) The Shawshank Redemption
4. (1998) American History X
5. (1999) The Green Mile
6. (2000) O Brother Where Art Thou

In modern society, the Holocaust proves to be a reminder of the dangers of racism and discrimination based on religion or heritage. It is also a lesson in hope, perseverance and faith. Film makers have tried to capture the fear and hope that intertwined behind the gates of concentration camps during that time. However, it is a difficult task.

The films below show some of the most courageous efforts to inform and romanticize the people who suffered and endured during that dark time. Despite the horrible setting, these scripts use subtlety and symbolism to engage their audiences and bring a hopeful message. Luckily, there has not been a huge demand for Holocaust films in the “torture porn” genre, yet.

The Holocaust is something that should be shown in a graceful manner; with disregard to cheap film tactics and emotionless scripts. For anyone who chooses to write a film about the Holocaust, they should remember it was a true story that affected the lives of millions of people. Their lives should be respected in a retelling of their experiences. The following films are a good example of how to write a poignant yet respectful script.

• (1975) Jacob the Liar [Transcript]
• (1993) Schindler’s List Script
• (1997) Life is Beautiful [Transcript]
• (2002) The Pianist Script
• (2008) Defiance Script