How to acquire film rights from Book Publisher?

[leteeci]

Hi!

I would like to aquire the film rights for the book that have publisher house ( and rights ) in france.. Publisher: Oh! Editions, Paris..

The author (writter ) is stil alive, but it is impossible for me to get in contact ( but I met her two years before I read the book )..

What would be the best approach?

.

 

[jamedia.uk]

The book publisher almost certainly only have rights to publish that edition of the book. Nothing more. You will have to go to the author or their agent who will hold all the rights, bar those given to the publisher to produce this particular book, to get the film or other publishing rights.

The book publisher should know who the agent is. Ask the publisher for the contact details for the Author or the author's agent.

Do NOT tell the publisher why you want to contact the author/agent. Just "a business proposition".

The agent should be instantly available even if the author is not for any reason. Most agents can/will negotiate a preliminary deal on behalf of the author until the author becomes available to confirm. That is what Agents do.

 

[leteeci]

thanks for reply!
So, you think is best not to mention "film rights" at all?

I don't belive there is author's agent, but maybe I am wrong..

Many thanks!!!

 

[jamedia.uk]

The publisher will be able to tell you if there is an agent. The publisher will have to have contact details for the Author , the Agent or at least some one who represents the author. They have to have a contract with the author and I assume some way of paying the author money. They will either pass on any request for contact to the author or tell you to call the agent. Agents tend to be very publicly available. That's their job.

I think it would NOT be a good idea to mention to the book publisher you want to discuss film rights just in case it gives the publisher any ideas. They are between you and the author. The Authors Agent works for the author. The Publisher works for themselves.

So whilst you are openly discussing it here none of us know what the book is other than it is "French". (which removes 95% of us here who only speak/read English And there is no indication to the authors identity. The author may or may not be French. So we can't take any advantage.

So just ask the publisher for contact details of the author without saying why. OR just give the publisher your details and ask the author to get in touch.

Good luck... BTW I want a free ticket to the premier of the film of you get that far

 

[leteeci]

haha..no problem..

If I manage to get the deal, of course, you get the ticket for the premiere, and the credit: " author rights acquiring consultant " ))
author is not French, but at this time I would not like to talk about it..

I want that rights, first!!

thanks

 

[jamedia.uk]

If I manage to get the deal, of course, you get the ticket for the premiere, and the credit: " author rights acquiring consultant " ))
author is not French, but at this time I would not like to talk about it..

I want that rights, first!!

thanks

Good thinking. Tell us all about it *AFTER* you have got the rights.....

Good Luck.