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Novelist and screenwriter working together to adapt novel for screen

Jane Devoy

4 years, 2 months ago - Jane Devoy

What should the percentage ownership/fee be for a novelist and screenwriter co-writing an adaptation of the novelist's novel into a feature screenplay? How best to get professional advice on this? We have been co-writing the adaptation for a year and it is finally finished and we've been asked what is our agreement. We don't yet have one. It seems roughly that we've contributed 50/50 to the writing of the screenplay (dramatic structure, what to leave out, new scenes, visual grammar) but of course the original characters and story are the novelist's and so is much of the dialogue. We also wonder if we should look for one agent to represent us both as a writing team on this project and more, or if we should find separate agents? Or if we don't need to get agents at all. Thank you for any thoughts.

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Stephen Potts

4 years, 2 months ago - Stephen Potts

Adapations involve two deals for writing - one for the underlying IP, one for the script adapting it. Any producer taking this on will want an option on the novel with a purchase prices set with the author, and a separate deal for the script with price set with the two of you. It seems simplest to divide the latter 50/50. Not sure you need an agent at this stage so much as a lawyer to look over any contracts that come through.

Response from 4 years, 2 months ago - Stephen Potts SHOW

Jane Devoy

4 years, 2 months ago - Jane Devoy

Thanks Stephen.

Response from 4 years, 2 months ago - Jane Devoy SHOW

David Hughes

4 years, 2 months ago - David Hughes

In my experience as a regular adaptor of novels for the screen, 50/50 is a pretty good way to go, even where the novelist is also the screenwriter. It serves pretty well as the basis of a deal – but when you come to sell it, the novelist may sell the screen rights to their book separately, with a different fee for the screenplay.

Response from 4 years, 2 months ago - David Hughes SHOW