How to Adapt a Novel?

I am frequently asked by authors : Is my novel suited to being made into a movie? How would that work? It is fair to say that, overall, it is much less likely for a novel to be made into a movie than for it to be published. It takes at least a year before a producer may acquire the option rights, and then another one to three years before the movie based on the novel is eventually filmed. This obviously demands some degree of patience from the author. So what can the author do if they’re convinced their novel has movie potential?

STEP 1: HAVE IT EVALUATED BY AN INDEPENDENT EXPERT.
The author should seek out an experienced film Dramaturg to determine whether the novel has the potential to be adapted into a movie. This is done for a fee. When choosing a film Dramaturg the author should pay close attention to their references.

STEP 2: LOOK FOR AN AGENCY.
If the author has been advised their material has the potential to be adapted into a TV or Feature Film, they can try and sell the novel themselves, or they can seek out an Agent to market and negotiate the film rights for them. This Agent should be a specialist in dealing with the film industry.

STEP 3: SEARCH FOR A PRODUCER.
The Agent will then search for a suitable producer or Media outlet (‚partner‘) for the project.

STEP 4: NEGOTIATING THE CONTRACTS.
If a suitable partner is found, the agency will then negotiate the necessary film rights and contracts on the author’s behalf.

STEP 5: FILM ADAPTATION.
A film script is produced based on the novel. Then, if the partner has successfully financed the film, shooting begins and the novel thus finds its way onto the small or big screen. If you have any further questions, or if you already own the film rights to a successful novel and are committed to adapting it to the screen, then do not hesitate to contact us at www.buchscout.net.

The BuchScout Agency is an internationally active Script Consulting and Sales Agency for film rights. We specialize in dramaturgic advice on ambitious movie projects, script adaptations of novels and international co-productions, as well as evaluating the film potential of novels. Most recently BuchScout‘s Suzanne Pradel has worked on the feature film „Galloping Mind“ by the Belgian director Wim Vandekeybus (first cinema release: September 2015 in Belgium) and on the adaptation of Hape Kerkeling’s German best-seller „Ich bin dann mal weg“ (“I’ll Be Away”. Cinema release: December 2015).