The idea of having one of my books turned into a film gives me a warm fuzzy all over. The thought of some producer in Hollywood actually interested in spending millions to see my novel on the big screen obliterates all my reasoning powers. Here is a chance to make a fortune, become famous, and have my books stacked chest high in bookstores. Where do I sign!

This is how it starts. You get an email or a LinkedIn post from a publicist or a marketing manager, saying how impressed he or she is with your website, books and awards. Every writer has an ego that likes to be stroked, and an opening like that will want to make you squirm with pleasure. The next bit is an eye opener. The publicist happens to know an award-winning producer in Hollywood, and because he likes you, he would be happy to approach him to convert your book into a film. Check out their website. Wow! Talk about seeing glittering stars! However, when you check this producer’s website, reality kicks in and you land with a thud, those stars in your eyes are now falling meteorites.

How do I know all this? Well, it happened to me. I liked the idea of having one of my books turned into a film. What author wouldn’t. But when I checked that website, there was hardly any information, apart from a line in bold lettering in one of the pages that went something like, ‘movie and television productions for all budgets’. The alarm bells clanged so hard, I had to turn down the volume. Anyway, that was only one web page, and I went through the others looking for details about the company, the producer, past credits, current projects, business information, sample contracts, anything that would give me confidence that I was dealing with a professional organization. Apart from a paragraph or two of hyperbole, there was nothing there.

I even got a personal email with a request for a phone call with the producer to discuss this wonderful opportunity. The curious thing about all this, having written a number of books, nobody actually said which book the producer was interested in. I would have thought that this would be one of the first things mentioned. Did he want ‘all’ my books? It hardly seemed possible. What really soured this adventure into fantasy was a notice that I would have to pay $10,000 to have a screenplay written, which the producer would use to prepare a proposal for a studio. But that’s okay. I can pay in installments! Once that was revealed, there was an awkward smell coming from my refrigerator.

Being ignorant of the movie business and all things Hollywood, I boned up a bit and got some facts. Being innocent and trusting, I did not want to miss out on a good deal, but I also didn’t want to be led down a dark alley and mugged. How do you get your book turned into a film?

–   If you have an agent, he or she can approach a producer or a studio for a deal.

–   If you don’t and are published by one of the big 5, they can suggest an agent experienced in these things.

–   If you are self-published, you can make a pitch, usually with a screenplay. However, writing a screenplay is a highly specialized skill, which most writers wouldn’t have. You could have one written for you if you have some spare the money.

–   Strike an ‘option’ deal with a producer.

An option agreement gives the ‘option’ to a producer to secure all film-related rights for the book or screenplay for an agreed price, which will be paid once the option is exercised and the book goes into film production. The option is usually for 18 months, but can be for up to three years. The author gets paid a small amount for the option, anywhere from $500 to $3000, depending on how the agreement is negotiated. Producers will dangle a small up-front payment for a larger payout if the option is exercised, while the author will want a larger up-front payment, as most options will never be executed. At end of the option period, the producer can renew the agreement, but must pay for that option again. If the producer is serious about your book, he will then embark into all the business requirements necessary to pitch the project to a studio, including having a screenplay written – if you haven’t provided one.

There is lots more fascinating stuff about how all this happens, but what a writer needs to know is that he or she should never be required to pay anybody to have a screenplay written in order to help the producer prepare a proposal. That’s their responsibility. This is similar to being wary of agents demanding money to send your book to publishers. You get a glowing assessment of your manuscript which gives you a momentary buzz, then you read the line where you have to send them money ‘just to show that you’re serious’.

I guess it was bound to happen sooner or later – writers being asked to pay for having a screenplay written for a movie, with very little chance the outlay will ever be realized. The thing is, if a producer really believes in your novel, he will enter into an option agreement, and the author will not be asked for any up-front money. So, if you get one of these glowing emails in your Inbox, have a smile and get yourself a fresh cup of coffee.