Getting Rights

Woodson

Woodson

Well-known member
Okay, I would like to make my next short from adapting a short story written by a author. I'm pretty sure the thing to do is to get contact with the publisher.

My question is ... I know I won't be able to make money from this (which I don't mind, cause passion for the story comes first) but are adapted short stories able to screen at festivals and are they eligable for awards?
 
Re: Getting Rights

You would still need permission for festivals as far as I know.

Stephen King allows you to adapt any of his short stories for a dollar. Cause he has made plenty of money already and he's a good guy.

Maybe your author will be generous too.
 
Re: Getting Rights

My own personal feelings about it...nothing to back it up, other than similar conversations elsewhere... If you can contact the author directly, do it. Else, if you can contact the author's agent...do it. Contacting the publisher will pretty much guarantee a hefty-ish fee, so make it the last resort, if possible.

And, of course, a lot depends on the author. Don't even try with J.D. Salinger. :D

It will also depend on what rights the author sold when it was published, whther anyone else already optioned the story, all sorts of things.
 
Re: Getting Rights

[quote author=Arcburn link=board=writing;num=1093301176;start=0#1 date=08/23/04 at 15:49:05]You would still need permission for festivals as far as I know.

Stephen King allows you to adapt any of his short stories for a dollar. Cause he has made plenty of money already and he's a good guy.

Maybe your author will be generous too.[/quote]

What? Are you serious? Point me in the direction if you know please. Ill adapt any of his stories.
 
Re: Getting Rights

[quote author=John Hudson link=board=writing;num=1093301176;start=0#3 date=08/23/04 at 19:04:08]What? Are you serious? Point me in the direction if you know please. Ill adapt any of his stories.
[/quote]

Check out his book "On Writing". I believe he mentions it in there. At least something similar to those conditions.

Also, I highly recommend the book. And it motivated me the way Robert Rodriguez's filmmaking book did.
 
Re: Getting Rights

I forgot to mention, the author is dead. He shot himself in the head during the 60's.
 
Re: Getting Rights

well that makes asking him for permission a little more difficult. Although you could go through a medium ;)
 
Re: Getting Rights

[quote author=Woodson link=board=writing;num=1093301176;start=0#6 date=08/23/04 at 21:14:55]I forgot to mention, the author is dead. He shot himself in the head  during the 60's.[/quote]

H. Beam Piper?
 
Re: Getting Rights

The author doesn't necessarily retain the screen rights when signing the publishing deal, so you have to call the publisher and ask to speak to their legal department and inquire as to who owns the screen rights to the story.

Sometimes it's the publisher, sometimes the writer retains the rights, and sometimes the rights have already been negotiated (thus precluding your ability to option).

You shouldn’t be wary of contacting the publisher directly, it’s not like they’re used car salesmen smelling fresh blood in the water, and they can’t extort you for exorbitant fees if they don’t own the rights.

I have a friend that’s tried to option several short stories and novels, and the legal departments of publishing houses were universally fair and responsive. He never managed to option any of the titles he was interested in however, as even the most obscure properties all seemed to be previously contracted.

It’s certainly worth checking out if it’s something you’re serious about.
 
Re: Getting Rights

Yes, thank you all.

I have found the address and phone number of the publisher.

:)
 
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