So you want to write a script based on one of my stories?
by Rob - September 29th, 2010.Filed under: Uncategorized.
An email I just sent:
Thank you for your latest phone call and follow-up email. I should be frank, though. Optioning film and TV rights to my works for up-front money is a major part of how I make my living. When we first spoke on the phone, you offered me as full compensation 15% or 20% of whatever the script you might write based on my work might ultimately make you, if it ever makes you anything. That’s just not how I — or other established writers — do business. You might find this blog post of mine of interest:
If a feature is being made, I’m always looking for a six-figure purchase-price floor (regardless of the length of the source material), and it’s never tied into the scriptwriter’s fee (nor would it normally be paid by the scriptwriter; rather, the studio would pay it).
Options fees, on the other hand, are paid by whoever is interested in developing a project: an actor, a scriptwriter, a producer, or a studio. But we never do options, even for short stories, for less than four figures per year, and five figures is common for novels. So, before you invest a lot more of your time into thoughts about developing screenplays based on my work, please make sure you’re in a position to actually acquire the rights under industry-standard terms. :)
I truly wish you the best of luck!
Robert J. Sawyer online:
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November 16th, 2010 at 4:14 pm
This seems an especially important distinction to make in the case of science fiction, where tying up rights makes even less sense in low-budget scenarios, given the generally expensive nature of science fiction adaptations.
November 16th, 2010 at 4:18 pm
I’d be curious to know, though, if there is any situation where you’d accept a low bid — or if you accepted one in the past, and had either a positive or negative experience — I assume that you’d be less inclined to do so since you’re now in a strong position to sell said rights, but what advice might you give a newer, less established author? It might be good fodder for a future blog post or article.
November 16th, 2010 at 9:46 pm
I’ve never had a good experience giving a truly low-ball option. I once gave a guy an option for a dollar, and he did nothing with it; I’ve occasionally given free options, and they’ve never led to anything.