After stumbling across this website the other day while searching for some writing help/advice, I thought I'd sign up, so first of all I'd just like to say hello. Hello!

I'm not sure if this is the correct place to post this (my apologies if it isn't), but I was just wondering if there's anyone on here who has experience of successfully adapting books into screenplays and might be able to offer me a few pointers.

Basically, I've been a full-time writer for quite a few years now (predominantly in journalism, but also in a few other areas), but I recently decided to do something that's completely new to me. I've had what I think is a strong idea for a film screenplay, based on a little-known book that was a favourite read of mine when I was a child.

I'm keen to attempt to take the idea forward but, having never dabbled in this area before, I'm not really sure where to start in terms of getting permission etc. Should I contact the book's publisher first, or should I contact the writer's agent? And, when I do make contact, is there anything specific that I should be asking?

I'm not really in a position to be able to pay any sort of fee for permission to write the screenplay, but what I'm hoping for is some sort of deal for the option on the basis of paying a fee later if a film actually gets made. Is this realistic?

Thanks for taking the time to read this, folks - any help/advice anyone could give me really would be greatly appreciated!

Gary

Hi, Gary, and welcome to WriteWords.

I'm afraid I don't have any experience writing screen adaptions, but hopefully someone will step forward with advice. However if you need any help navigating the site feel free to ask.

It is my understanding that most adaptions are of two sorts: One's own written work. Or, if a production company buys the rights to a novel and then hires a professional to adapt it for screen.
I'm not sure how far you're going to get if you figuratively 'pull a novel off the bookshelves', write a screen adaption and then try to find someone to film it - assuming that is your intention.



- NaomiM

What you want to do is not impossible. I would consider trying to approach the author direct. Be prepared to pitch your adaptation, and make them fall in love with what you want to do. If you approach the agent, they're likely to more interested in discussing money than content - at least that is my experience. And it is their job to do that, after all. I imagine the publisher may feel the same way, but I'm not certain.

Don't underestimate the difficulty of an adaptation, by the way. I found it far more difficult than any original screenplay I've ever written.

Hi and welcome to WW. I've been commissioned to adapt several novels for screenplay- one was a Julie Myseron novel, the other a Doris Lessing- but my first ever adaptation was a book I read in proof, adored, and approached a producer with. She loved it too, and we contacted the writer's agent, and met with the author. She was so excited by the idea that my producer negotiated a very small option fee so that I could produce a first draft to show to potential backers. I'd say definitely contact the agent with a really impassioned letter/email about why you would bring something special to it- as KateB says- and if they haven't currently got other people wanting rights, or if the rights are tied up but have been dormant etc, why would they not at least want to discuss it? But I also think making a good contact with a producer will help- someone with form and contacts who can show they can see a project through to greenlight. It may even be that you can negotiate a no-money option for a very limited time. in terms of getting producer/production company interest, you may know this, but it may help to contact companies/producers who've done similiar work on similiar projects and ask them if they want to get involved. Good luck, let us know how it goes.

Coming at this with my lawyer's head on I would say the first thing you need to find out is if anyone already has an option.
If they don't then you need to contact the writer and ask them whether they would give you one. Normally, a writer would expect payment but if the book is out of print, or very unlikely to get an offer, then the writer might be persuaded. If you have some fab ideas, tell them, don't underplay.
You could suggest a fairly short time period, with the work reverting to the author if you don't have any joy.
You could offer a small amount of money. Options are often much smaller than people think.
Anyhow, good luck.
HB x

Thanks for all the feedback folks - very interesting. Clearly it's going to be a very difficult task for me, as a beginner, to actually get this idea anywhere - but I'm determined to at least give it a go. If it was an idea of my own then I think, without any doubt, I would be writing a novel rather than a screenplay, as that form of writing is far closer to what I'm used to. However, I want to do this project because it's a story I love and I've always felt it would make a terrific film - then last year I decided that, if nobody else was going to make it, perhaps I should have a go at getting the ball rolling myself. And, I don't know if this is realistic or not, but I like to think that if I make a good job of it but can't actually get it to the production stage, then at least on the bright side it may open other doors for me as a writer.

As I've said, I'm an experienced writer and journalist, but when it comes to screenwriting I have zero experience (other than a few TV news/documentary voiceovers I've written). I have no agent and no production company or film industry contacts, and I have very little know-how when it comes to legalities and contracts, so I'm under no illusion about how tough this is going to be. And one thing I didn't mention before, which I think could make it doubly difficult, is that the film would probably need a large budget in order to do it properly (it would either need to have quite a lot of special effects, or perhaps even be an animated film of some sort).

I think that what I'm going to do first is contact the author through her agent and at least hope they'll be willing to discuss things with me so I can see if they have any thoughts on whether or not to take it forward and, if so, what the next step should be. My one "way in" I may have with the author is that I met her once before, when I was a child, when she came to my school to do a reading of one of her stories. I still have a signed copy of one of her books from that day, so would love to show it to her.

Thanks again for the advice everyone - please feel free to carry on the thread or contact me if anyone else has any thoughts or suggestions. I'm open to absolutely all feedback at the moment!

Might be worth noting that the Story circus is coming to town in November. The great and the good tend to gather at McKee conferences and it might be worth attending for the contacts. Though at 500 quid it's no snip.
HB x