Buying Film Rights to a Novel?

piano_island · Jun 7, 2007

I'm interested in buying the film rights to an already published novel, but I've yet to find any information on how one would go about doing that. Can a lone screenwriter purchase film rights to a book or is that solely in the hands of large production companies? Do you approach the publishing house, the author, the author's agent?

I do realize that such a task would probably mean a substantial amount of money exchanging hands, but I'm still interested in how one would go about it. Thanks to anyone who has any information!

dpaterso · Jun 7, 2007

Not surprisingly this gets asked fairly regularly. On the Script Writing forum main page, select Search this Forum and enter the keywords adaptation publisher which will find several previous threads on this topic.

Or, the short answer: contact the publisher, it's likely that they own the rights.

-Derek

DanielD · Jun 7, 2007

To Piano_Island.
There are many works not covered by copyright, available in the Public Domain(not all mind you).
These works are freely available to be re-written(adapted),in whichever way, shape and form one desires.
Though,check firstly to be on the safe side.
Whether it's literature,music,ect,ect.
OK, I admit your choices may be limited somewhat,though this is simply an option in case your current novel choice is unattainable.
Daniel.

Buying Film Rights to a Novel?

piano_island

...

dpaterso

Patent pending

DanielD