Optioning Rights at DVinfo.net

Bradley D Barber · January 9th, 2008, 11:17 AM

My group has decided to option the rights to adapt a book to the screen. This will be the first time any of us has written this way. I have spoken to the author as well as his agent. We need to compensate the Author for the period of time that we will have exclusivity of the work.

So here is the question... How much do we offer to stroke the check for? We are certain we do not want to insult the author, who cares about the agent really. I have establised that there is no standard for this type of thing.

So there it is. Any advise or practical experience would be great!

Thanks a million.

Jay Gladwell · January 9th, 2008, 04:45 PM

The author and/or his agent is the one who sets the price. Not you.

Usually, it's 10% of the buyout fee.

Bradley D Barber · January 9th, 2008, 04:57 PM

The agents words were "...you make an offer..." They have done this before as the author has had othe work made into a movie. Should I just shoot them a number and see what happens?

Jay Gladwell · January 10th, 2008, 06:40 AM

Sounds like the agent doesn't know how these things work. If he did, he'd have a price for you. Also, it appears, based on your information, that neither the author nor the book are hot items.

Ask yourself, how much are you willing to spend? Then offer him half and allow him to "negotiate" you up to your price.

Chances are you'll have to write the contract, too. Do you have one?

Bradley D Barber · January 10th, 2008, 09:04 AM

I do not. I did some research and it appears as if they do not present me with something then it is like the wild west. Jot it down and go sort of thing. Have you seen a contract for this type of thing? Is it similar to an exclusivity contract?

Steve House · January 10th, 2008, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bradley D Barber

I do not. I did some research and it appears as if they do not present me with something then it is like the wild west. Jot it down and go sort of thing. Have you seen a contract for this type of thing? Is it similar to an exclusivity contract?

Not a good idea to 'roll your own' without advice of a lawyer. You absolutely need an attorney versed in entertainment law to help you here.

Bradley D Barber · January 10th, 2008, 10:07 AM

We do have that in our corner. It doesen't seem as if this should be this difficult. Could just be me. I will keep you posted on what happens.

Thanks all

Brian Luce · January 10th, 2008, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bradley D Barber

So here is the question... How much do we offer to stroke the check for? We are certain we do not want to insult the author, who cares about the agent really. I have establised that there is no standard for this type of thing.

.

That totally depends on the book and how many copies in print. If the book was published by a real publisher and not self published, this could cost a truckload of money. What his previous work produced in to a feature with a real budget? Or with some guy and a DVX?

Bradley D Barber · January 10th, 2008, 12:10 PM

The first movie was studio produced with a real budget. HE co-wrote the screenplay with the Director of the film. His books are not self published but rather big time. There is the opportunity we have found out to arrange the deal similar to the first movie. We are meeting in teh coming month to discuss.

What would your opinion be on this.

January 9th, 2008, 11:17 AM	#1
Bradley D Barber Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Washington Posts: 117	Optioning Rights My group has decided to option the rights to adapt a book to the screen. This will be the first time any of us has written this way. I have spoken to the author as well as his agent. We need to compensate the Author for the period of time that we will have exclusivity of the work. So here is the question... How much do we offer to stroke the check for? We are certain we do not want to insult the author, who cares about the agent really. I have establised that there is no standard for this type of thing. So there it is. Any advise or practical experience would be great! Thanks a million.

January 9th, 2008, 04:57 PM	#3
Bradley D Barber Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Washington Posts: 117	The agents words were "...you make an offer..." They have done this before as the author has had othe work made into a movie. Should I just shoot them a number and see what happens? __________________ Old South Marketing and Public Relations www.oldsouthmediagroup.com

January 10th, 2008, 09:04 AM	#5
Bradley D Barber Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Washington Posts: 117	I do not. I did some research and it appears as if they do not present me with something then it is like the wild west. Jot it down and go sort of thing. Have you seen a contract for this type of thing? Is it similar to an exclusivity contract? __________________ Old South Marketing and Public Relations www.oldsouthmediagroup.com

January 10th, 2008, 10:07 AM	#7
Bradley D Barber Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Washington Posts: 117	We do have that in our corner. It doesen't seem as if this should be this difficult. Could just be me. I will keep you posted on what happens. Thanks all __________________ Old South Marketing and Public Relations www.oldsouthmediagroup.com

January 10th, 2008, 12:10 PM	#9
Bradley D Barber Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Washington Posts: 117	The first movie was studio produced with a real budget. HE co-wrote the screenplay with the Director of the film. His books are not self published but rather big time. There is the opportunity we have found out to arrange the deal similar to the first movie. We are meeting in teh coming month to discuss. What would your opinion be on this. __________________ Old South Marketing and Public Relations www.oldsouthmediagroup.com

January 9th, 2008, 04:45 PM	#2
Jay Gladwell Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 1,244	The author and/or his agent is the one who sets the price. Not you. Usually, it's 10% of the buyout fee.

January 10th, 2008, 06:40 AM	#4
Jay Gladwell Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 1,244	Sounds like the agent doesn't know how these things work. If he did, he'd have a price for you. Also, it appears, based on your information, that neither the author nor the book are hot items. Ask yourself, how much are you willing to spend? Then offer him half and allow him to "negotiate" you up to your price. Chances are you'll have to write the contract, too. Do you have one?