Gubbins, Sarah

Book-to-film adaptations may sound like they’re a walk in the park—they’re equipped with a thorough storyline, highly developed characters and of course, a built-in fan base—but the art of writing them is as advantageous as it is demanding. Characters in novels have an elaborately developed inner life, and visually depicting subtext and nuance in a compelling narrative can be a challenge, especially within the constraints of a 90-minute film. Screenwriters behind some of recent history’s greatest adaptations will discuss translating themes and literary devices to the screen, working with authors, and where and when to take creative liberties.

Sit down for a conversation that ventures off the screen, onto the stage, and then back again. Featuring a panel of writers who have worked in both theatre and television, this discussion will pull back the curtain on ways their experiences as playwrights have affected their craft as screenwriters.

Overseeing a show entails a lot of responsibility, but the time and energy that goes into creating one is extremely rewarding. As the show travels from an idea into production to become a polished product, showrunners assume many different roles throughout this process. These showrunners will discuss their role in the show and on set, how they participate in the writers room, and their day-to-day duties during production.