Behind the Curtain – Adapting Never Trust a Tiger for the Screen

Turning Never Trust a Tiger into a screenplay was no small feat. Adapting Char Valdez’s layered novel required honoring its emotional integrity while reshaping its structure for visual storytelling. The process involved distilling internal monologues into cinematic moments, enhancing the visual language of the circus world, and diversifying the supporting cast to reflect a broader human truth. Collaboration was key as Char wrote and worked with her team to bring authenticity and texture to every scene. From reimagining characters like Buffalo Bill and the mystical gypsies to building a visual style rooted in realism and magic, this was a labor of love. The result? A story that transcends format — from novel to screenplay to screen.