Film Deals
Will an agent sell my book rights to Hollywood?
A very important part of an agent's role is selling film rights. And like all large agencies we have a film department and we have relationships with Hollywood agencies. And we've had quite a lot of success in selling our authors' books to Hollywood.
How many books make it to the screen?
Film rights are the "holy grail" for authors, but the odds are stacked against them. A number of books get optioned, but, of the books that get optioned, perhaps only 1 or 2% ever actually reach the screen. It also takes a very long time. A recent instance of this here would be 'The Last King of Scotland,' by Giles Foden, which took 10 years from the publication to release on the screen.
If my book gets optioned, will I get to write the screenplay?
Generally speaking, film producers do not want book writers to write their own Screenplays and adapt their own books because writing Screenplays is a completely different craft.
If my book is turned into a film, how much money will I make?
Option payments are obviously very small, generally no more than a few thousand pounds. If a film actually reaches the screen, cinemas, the the author can figure to make a six figure sum.
What is an 'option'?
An option is an agreement between the writer and producer for a period of time, normally 12 to 18 months. That producer has exclusive right to try to develop a film, to find a screenwriter, to find a director, to find actors and so on.Those options are almost always renewed. Very seldom does a film get made in the first 12 to 18 months. They're normally renewed for another 12 to 18 month period. And often renewed again and again.
