For anyone who works on adaptations, do you focus on titles in the public domain? Have you ever adapted something for the heck of it, or for the experience? Or do you only focus on something you can later pitch and sell?
Screenwriting : What's the deal with writing adaptations? by Jessica Novinger
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I adapted a Knut Hamsun short story into a short, just to try it. The original story, which I happen to love, becomes public domain this spring, at which point I may rework the script (which is needed :D ).
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I wrote a short story once, Jessica Novinger. It was based on Humpty Dumpty. I wrote it to sell, but I see the benefits in writing stories in public domain for fun and experience.
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I did a reverse adaptation. I turned by screenplay into a novel. I sold the novel and never did sell the screenplay. But If I were doing it from a novel, I would do something I could sell.
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Congratulations on selling your novel, Steven Hopstaken!!! :D
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Hi Jessica, it sounds like this webinar might be helpful to you: https://www.stage32.com/webinars/The-Adaptation-Journey-Adapting-an-exis...
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Knew a woman once who would option books for $10 (no kidding). She would write the scripts. She optioned two scripts and sold one, if I recall (then I lost contact with her). She was also able to get a few books picked up by the studios (they didn't like her scripts, but wanted the book, and the author paid her 10% of the sale). These books weren't top sellers (as there's usually options, rights purchased already). These were books that had been out for a few years, or a decade or two.
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There is a book I would love to adapt, I may see if I can get the rights one day.
I like characters not stories. I am writing a Sherlock Holmes film. Mostly because I like him, my Sherlock anyway.
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Lindbergh, thats a sweet niche hustle! I would pay to watch her webinar, "How to sell book rights to a movie studio for 10% commission fee." :)
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No I have few original ideas left in the storage...after that, why not, saves me negotiation hustle...and when you say "adopt" it doesn't have to be word for word copy/paste to screenplay...you can only use the core of the story (that has fanbase at the masses for decades, even centuries) and spin it into your original take...I can take "Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde" for example, three separate ways...drama, comedy and even sports story, although the base of it is horror...
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Dan MaxXx - she got the 10% from the writer as part of her deal. Smart girl as she had that point covered in her option agreement.