A few questions concerning the script-writing industry...

i'm not the one to be answering these questions, however that's never stopped me before.

who writes an adaptation of a book for the screen? often it's the author themselves. sometimes there's another writing credit attached. obviously, no one is going to pick you out of a crowd for no good reason and say, 'make a screenplay out of this book.' if you're a complete unknown doing an adaptation of your favourite book, i'm just going to take a wild guess here and say you've got about as much chance as getting a period piece made. that is, it's possible, probably unlikely. if a studio is interested in taking that bestseller (which, obviously, already has a fanbase likely to see it) and making a movie out of out, after paying for the rights and taking care of legalities, clearly they're going to hand it off to someone who's proven themselves, assuming the author can't or won't do it.

then again, i can't say for sure. if you've got an adaptation, what's the harm in seeing what happens to it?

of course, if you write scripts that are proven money-makers, yours is going to get more consideration than the piles of unknowns on the desk corner. ideally, the best script gets made. my script up against, say, our moderator's here, say for the sake of argument both are equally as good, he's going to be picked up over me. not only is that as it should be perhaps, but it's also just sensible to have a name of *any* kind over a complete unknown. between yours and mine, all things being even, and it comes down simply to money: which is cheaper to make, which has the best chance of making money, etc.. even being optioned is at least giving you some credentials.

a lot of people will say do that horror script first and that may be the way to go for some people. that'll be my tack. low-budget meant to turn a buck, the idea being able to prove yourself as a screenwriter who the studios can count on to pay the bills.

i don't know who wrote 'the dukes of hazzard' script, but i'm guessing that it was commissioned. mind, that's just an assumption.

i'm really not aware, though i'm sure it's happened, of any unknown, un-agented screenwriter sending in their first script for a tent-pole picture, it being made into a huge hit, the writer walking away rich, and all's right with the world. i may be off my nut here, but i think the odds of that happening are about the same as being discovered as the next h'wood sex symbol while sitting at the cafe counter.

my understanding is it's partially a game, but there are ways you can help your odds. you could be the person who breaks every rule. bear in mind the vast majority of those 'over-night successes' are people who've been doing it for most their lives. that's a long night.

Before you adapt a book into a screenplay you have to buy the rights of the book. Depending on what kind of book it is, wether its a new release, a classic, or just some off the wall book you picked up, will determine how easy or difficult it is to purchase the rights. And I'm assuming if it's a best seller then you probally should have a few credentials to back up your skills. On the other hand, if it's a book that was written say twenty years ago, and wasn't very popular to begin with, and gets lucky if it's picked up once every few years. Then chances might be, the author or publishing company may sell the rights to you for a buck.

It is very difficult to break into Hollywood, and you're right. It's 99.999999% impossible to find someone who will give you the time of day unless you write a script soooo fantastic, that it tops the other twenty billion scripts sent in each year. But don't let that get you down. You are only who you see yourself as. Meaning if you see yourself writing a great script, selling that script and becoming rich beyond your wildest dreams. Then that's what you'll get. Faith over failure.

Steph

Yes these are stupid questions, and yes you are an idiot for asking them.

You either have to pay a novel author to use his material, or otherwise enter into an agreement with him. You can't just adapt a novel into a screenplay without the author's or publisher's permission and then try to sell it. That's illegal.

Of course it becomes easier to have people look at your screenplays if you have already had a screenplay made into a film or at least optioned. This proves you can write a screenplay! So maybe there's a good chance you can do it again. And possibly your first option or sale would have gotten you an agent or a manager or both, making connections, helping your career.

Tens of thousands of wannabe screenwriters are writing horror screenplays like The Ring and The Grudge right now, this very moment. You're not the only writer to figure that low budget horror sells.

If you're a wannabe screenwriter then it's probably best to write something contemporary with no special effects or costly locations or props. If I'm insulting your intelligence by saying such a stupidly obvious thing then feel free to call me an idiot. Enjoy.

-Derek
Derek's Web Page - stories, screenplays, novels, insanity.

Aldenard said:

1. How does a script writer initally write an adaptation for a book? Do they (or the company they work for) purchase the rights in advance, then the screenplay is written? Or does a screenwriter write the thing, then if the author is satisfied, allows them to purchase the rights and make a film. Also, if it is the former, how do some first time screenwriters get to wright adaptations, if they require money up front?

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Usually a screenwriter doesn't approach a novelist. A producer or studio does and hires a writer after rights have been bought. However, a screenwriter can approach a novelist and tell them they would love to write an adaptation and if the novelist agrees then a contract will be written up. The terms vary, some want money up front (buy the motion picture rights), some don't. I have optioned and subsequently adapted novels and it was an agreement made between me and the novelist in which he/she gets a percentage of whatever I get plus appropriate credit "story by." Keep in mind that Stephen King won't talk to you and popular novels are most likely already optioned, but perhaps a new novelist with a small print may.

Aldenard said:

2. I realize that it is fairly difficult to enter into the movie industry, including being a screenwriter. I have heard, though, that once you have one screenplay "published" (or made into a film) it is easier to get companies to purchase more scripts from you, especially if the film grossed a significant profit.

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Sure. why not, but it also depends on who you know and who knows you. This industry runs on contacts and networking and just because you wrote "Alien Penguins," and it made money, doesn't mean producers will be knocking on your door.

Aldenard said:

So, my question: would it be better to start off writing a more mainstream film, one that would appeal to many people and get money, in order to have further scripts purchased? Like writing a teen horror film (such as the Ring or the Grudge) which is almost garunteed to get money, so the company will be more willing to make it. It would seem then, that the screenwriter would have more freedom to create 'better' films.

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Not the case always. For every Grudge, there are hundreds of horror films made and released which do not make a substantial profit. A direct to DVD film will not get you anywhere. The only advice I can give is write what you are good at. If it's horror fine, drama, fine. Market yourself and your work.

Aldenard said:

Now of course the ideal thing would be to create amazing scripts to begin with, but these may be turned down initally (or so I hear) because it is unsure as to whether they will gross a profit (such as films like Reservior Dogs, which barely made back its cost). I realize that is a long, drawn out question, and I apoligize if it is insanely ignorant, but it is something I have pondered.

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Most scripts are turned down because they suck. But even the best script written needs a producer who falls in love with it regardless of potential earnings. The trick is finding that one producer who does.

Did you see the sequel?

Joe,

You mentioned "Alien Penguins," I liked "Attack of the Alien Penguins Part 2, Beaks of Fury" a little better.

Moving on.

One other possibilty is to get to know authors. Local writing groups (like here in Dallas), have popular authors who haven't elevated themselves beyond the reach of us mere mortals. I know two people that have been contacted by authors to write adaptations.

Thanks for your comments, I've been impressed with how much good information is available her.

Rick

screenplay.

Just to clarify a point, it's usually a publisher or agent who gets approached, not a novelist.

So true!

Jamesaritchie said:

Just to clarify a point, it's usually a publisher or agent who gets approached, not a novelist.

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Which is why you try and get to know the novelist. I'm acquainted with people on a personal basis that I could NEVER approach first professionally.