Famed playwright Israel Horovitz has written more than 70 produced plays, which have been translated in more than 30 languages worldwide. Along the way, he has also written screenplays for
film including Author! Author!, starring Al Pacino, as well as the award-winning Sunshine, James Dean, and The Strawberry Statement. At the age of 75, he directed an adaptation of his play My
Old Lady, starring Kevin Kline, Maggie Smith and Kirsten Scott Thomas. Now he shares tips and techniques on adapting plays for the screen.
The book includes the full script of both the play version and screenplay of My Old Lady, along with an in-depth analysis by Horovitz of the challenges of adapting stage work for the screen.
He discusses what inspired him to consider adapting the play in the first place, and his diligent efforts to distill the essence of the play without making exactly the kind of movie I
dislike.”
In discussing his adaptation process, Horovitz brilliantly reveals his insights into the creative process itself, as well as how to keep inspired during the course of a lengthy writing
career. As Horovitz reveals, At age 74, I was not looking to build a hot directing career. My sole ambition was to make a beautiful film.”
Indeed, My Old Lady, the film, was critically-acclaimed, as hoped for. In sharing the knowledge he gained, Horovitz makes a compelling guide for both cinematic students and anyone interested
in the creative process.
