Optioning a book
I’ve written a screenplay adaptation of a young adult novel. The rights to the novel are available, and a one-year option can be had for a not-cheap but do-able fee. Does it give me any advantage or protection to option the book myself before shopping the script to studios and production companies? Obviously what I want to avoid is introducing a buyer to the book by way of my screenplay and then seeing them pursue the story without me. Would buyers be just as likely to wait out any option I have if they like the book, but not my script, as they would be to "steal" the idea if I don’t option it?
–SP
Most
scripts don’t become movies, and a hundred things could go wrong
in the process. You might end up shouting at people, suing people, or
being shut out. But if you’re really interested in making a movie
from this book, go for it. The only way to never get hurt in the film
business is to never get in the film business.
Have you tried to option the book yourself? Even if it’s out of your
price range, it may be worth trying to forge a relationship with the author,
or at least the author’s agent. If they like your approach to the
material, they’re much more likely to stick up for you down the
road.
If you can’t get the agent to take you at all seriously, then you’re going to have to get someone more powerful involved. A producer/production company is one option, as is an attorney working on your behalf. Whatever happens, remember that a good screenplay has value beyond its produce-ability. Even if your script never gets made, it may open up other opportunities for you as a writing sample. But it won’t if you never show it out of fear.
Articles
October 14th, 2005 at 4:06 am
Hello, I’ve adapted a short story and when I inquired after the option was told that there were many big producers interested in the rights. The agent didn’t mention who specifically, but is there a way I can find out? I was thinking to send my script to these producers as a writing sample. Thanks.
September 26th, 2006 at 7:12 pm
I have written a book and have a producer friend willing to option th story for a possible film venture. The offer is minimum $50,000 and ceiling of $100,000 for one year or precentage of the film budget (5 percent) Does this sound fair?
September 28th, 2007 at 1:27 am
Hi, I have a friend who has written a historical account of the end of Empire, which has just been published . It’s in hard back, but I think once it goes to paperback, someone will have the same idea as me- ie that it would make a great movie. I’m a tv producer and have no experience of this kind of thing. Do you have any advice about what to do now? I don’t have enough experience to produce it I do docuemtnaries, not drama) but I really want to help my friend, the author see his book become a film. What are the next steps?
I would really appreciate your thoughts about this. Thanks , Alice