A year ago, I wrote a blog post about my ventures of turning books into movies. I stumbled across that post a few weeks ago and realized a lot has happened and an update might be offer more insight into how the whole film biz works.
What follows is part old post/part new post. My updates are inserted in italics.
Here goes:
I never intended to spend so much of my time ushering books into movies. Oh, I know that most authors pine to see their books turned into film. But I also know what an arduous journey it is. Thus rendering my enthusiasm lukewarm.
A Few Books into Movies
Knowing this is true of me, you may be surprised to learn that I’ve had a hand in the following:
- This year marks the third Christmas season in a row in which Robin Jones Gunn’s Father Christmas movies set new records for viewership on Hallmark’s Movies and Mysteries channel. Each year the latest iteration of Father Christmas exceeds the viewership of the film released the year before.
How the Film Industry Rolls–Or Doesn’t
- I’m one contract addendum away from being able to announce a client’s novel series being turned into a Netflix TV series.
So here’s the update. At the beginning of one week I received a call from one of the producers who announced that by the end of the week, we’d get the green light to start production. When she called later that week, I expected her to tell me the details about the production. Instead, she told me that Netflix nixed the film deal. New executives had been placed at the head of the Netflix division working on our deal. The new staff told the producers: “We can’t imagine anyone being interested in viewing this series.” Yeah, that’s how this industry rolls.
- Another project is close to being put into production by Reese Witherspoon’s film company, Hello Sunshine.
Update: A year later, this production is no closer to being green lighted. The problem? Funding. The producers envision this being a theatrical release, and that means a big budget. The production company just renewed the film option; so it’s still a viable project, but without funding, the pic is nowhere. So we wait some more. This film has been almost a yes for years now.
Here’s a peek behind the scenes of turning books into movies. I’ve learned the following lessons:
Patience is Imperative
Just because interest is expressed in your work, don’t expect quick results.
My client with the potential Netflix deal signed a shopping agreement with a production company in 2013. All parties involved hope shooting will begin on the TV series spring of 2019.
Update: The producers didn’t even hit pause when Netflix dropped out. Instead, they hit the rewind button and immediately made phone calls to get appointments to pitch the project to other venues. One plus of Netflix’s initial interest is that they funded getting a script written and hired someone to do so who is well-established in the industry; so having his name attached to the project plus having a script to hand to interested parties puts this project in a much better position to get picked up than it had when it was just an interesting concept.
The Father Christmas films began when I sent a copy of the novella Finding Father Christmas to a producer who worked regularly on Hallmark Christmas films. It took ten years to move from writing the novella to sending in that book to a movie being shot.
Get Rich Quick?
Considering the long haul to even reach the point of a film being produced, both the author and the agent have to keep a big picture perspective on not only the timing of a movie but also seeing financial gain. The largest payments tend to come when actual shooting takes place. Waiting five years or more for the book to be turned into a movie isn’t exactly a get-rich-quick scheme.
And sometimes even when the book does reach the point of being made into a movie, the payout may not be what a writer would think. Depending on how the film is distributed, if a major film studio becomes involved, or a major actor attached to the work, the author’s payoff varies wildly. Ultimately, the possibility of getting rich at all is very slim.
Holding It All Loosely
An author must be prepared to hold his creative efforts loosely when it comes to turning books into movies. Once a scriptwriter is unleashed on your book, it’s his imagination and intent that lead the way. Details an author would view sacrosanct must be released.
When Robin and I had our first conversation with the producers about changes to expect in the Finding Father Christmas story, our jaws dropped. The novella takes place in England, with the Father Christmas character and the setting playing a significant role in the story.
But in the film, the story was set to take place in Vermont.
And Santa Claus would be the Christmas character, not Father Christmas.
After that phone call, Robin and I wondered why the producers had even bothered to option the novella only to cut the core out of the story.
Truth Shines Through
But eventually we came to see that the essence of the story was left in tact. The concepts of longing to belong, the search for identity, and the willingness to forgive survived to shine brightly when the film was done.
The scriptwriter, we noted, surgically removed all the faith elements. But the concepts of loving unconditionally, opening our hearts to others, and having the courage to ask hard questions were so embedded in the story that they remained through the script’s iterations.
But the author must accept that she is releasing her story wholeheartedly to be fashioned into a film that others envision based on the book.
Look for the Blessings
When Robin and I visited the set for the filming of Finding Father Christmas, we didn’t know what to expect. We were prepared to be viewed as always in the way, as the crew rushed about to meet the aggressive filming schedule.
Instead, we were given directors’ chairs and headsets, and positioned right behind the director, as we watched the monitors that displayed what each camera was capturing.
Then one of the actors found her lines in a scene not true to whom she thought her character was. The director, listening to her concerns, cast his eyes about and asked, “Where are the writers? They need to change the lines.” Just like that, Robin and I found ourselves offering suggested changes to the script. (The director didn’t always remember we weren’t really the writers of the script, but we decided not to correct him.)
Much to our surprise, when the climactic scene was filmed, Robin and I both cried–as if we had no idea what the scene contained. In actuality, we were overcome to see that powerful moment come to life before our very eyes. It’s one thing to read (or write) a novel. It’s another to see actors take words written by the author and make them their own.
Maybe This Isn’t Such a Bad Gig After All…
So, yeah, the road to a film is long, arduous. And full of moments when the author needs to let her creative work fly away to a land the writer never envisioned. But the joy of watching a book turn into a movie is unparalleled.
And Here’s One Final Update
Any day now I expect to receive a fully executed film option for another Robin Jones Gunn Hallmark Christmas movie based on Secrets,a book she wrote in 1994. Books into movies hadn’t even entered our heads as a fairy tale back in that day. Which just gets to show, you never know what God might choose to do with a good story.
Which of your books do you most long to see made into a movie? Do you think you could hold your creative work loosely enough to see others transform it into what they envision? What do you wonder most about how the book-into-a-movie works?
TWEETABLES
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None of my books will be a movie,
and none will again see print;
but all is fine and all is groovy,
and I am happy though I’m skint.
I ‘d thought that I’d be influential
in my deep and thoughtful tales,
but they were really penitential
commercial busts and writing fails.
It seems that God had other plans
for the words that I could wield,
giving help to other hands,
and helping to improve their yield.
I’m content with this, my fate,
for we also serve who stand and wait.
Like Robin Jones Gunn always says, “Ask for the moon.” She’s my favorite author.
This writing gig is quite a journey. I never thought I would ever get to meet Robin in person. God decided to lavish His goodness on me. I now have such fond memories meeting with Robin while I was on holiday with my family in Hawaii. God had it all figured out even before our family decided Hawaii was where we wanted to go.
A long awaited dream come true.
I’m so very thrilled for both of you. It’s all so very exciting. Another RJG movie.
God always has our good in mind. Waiting is the hardest part.
I must dream bigger.
When I forget, my hubby likes to remind me, “How big is your God?”
Thanks for the post. Loved it.
Thanks, Gail, from an aspiring writer who needed to hear encouraging words today! I’m at the beginning stages of these endeavors, waiting for a response to a proposal I sent and wondering what the response might be! Blessings to you.
interesting question to ponder: which of my books would make a good movie. So far, reader feedback tells me every one would, but for commercial appeal, I’d pick one that has more physical action as well as a spiritual arc and a romance that has to overcome major obstacles. So I’d have to say True Freedom or Forgiven for their potential to have several exciting action scenes.
But since they would be Roman-era costume dramas, they wouldn’t be as cheap to make as something contemporary. The last Ben Hur wasn’t a huge commercial success in the US, so that makes it unlikely any film company would want ever want my novels.
Carol, you are weighing many of the important factors: What would production cost be? What story has the most action? And you’re right that costume dramas are super expensive. Add physical action, and that ups the cost too.
Thank you for the interesting post! Blog readers might be interested in hearing about an opportunity to learn more about this at a relatively new annual event: Connecting Writers with Hollywood.
It’s held in Washington State, and after a friend actually got her script made into a movie this past summer as a result of this conference, I joined 150 + others for this year’s event in Seattle (held in September). Twelve intensive hours of non-stop speakers! I learned so much. I haven’t heard back from the producers who received my pitch, but your post today was a good reminder to not lose hope. If it’s in God’s plan, we can trust Him with the timing!
Thanks for letting us know about the conference, Sonja.
My pleasure!
I have found that movie folks are relentlessly enthusiastic….until they aren’t. You described that element so well. The process is not a straight line by any means. Well done that you’re staying in the game for your clients!
Karen, you’re so right. One producer told me, “There are no bad meetings in Hollywood.” Which means everyone sounds super enthusiastic when a project is pitched to them. It’s the silence that follows all that enthusiasm that can be so confusing–and disheartening.
Janet, You did a great job of telling it like it is.
I’d like to add that we were both surprised at the remarkable people we’ve connected with over the last 10 years of this film making adventure.
We have been privileged to build friendships over meals with the actors and through emails with the producers. I keep up with some of the crew via Facebook and have an ongoing texting friendship with one of the stars who asked me for my cell number.
We were welcomed into their world and they were curious about ours. Not just the publishing world but especially the foreign Christian Fiction world.
I also want to say that signing those 22 page contracts and completely turning over my stories and characters was difficult with every movie. I know we are in good hands and the track record speaks highly of the skills of this team.
But you know, when you’re an author you like being in control of what a characters says and does, how they look and where they live.
All that has to be relinquished. Ouch.
This whole process has been a spiritual stretch for me. An exercise in trust.
It’s been worth it, of course. More than that, it’s been a privilege. We get to work with the same producers and screenwriter again on this new project and it’s such an honor.
Even so, the trepidation was there once again when I took the contract to the bank 2 weeks ago to be notarized. I wrote about the sweet God thing that happened at the bank and posted it on my blog at http://www.robingunn.com
Here’s my conclusion. What really matters is not the imaginary people I wrote about. I did my job with them when I created them along with the story, setting, and plot. All of that can and will be altered throughout the creative film making process.
I care oh-so-much-more about the real people who make the movie and those who watch the movie. My “job” of being an ambassador from my world into their world isn’t done. It’s about to begin anew. The real people matter far more than my relinquished characters because the cameramen, actresses, Director et al — they are the ones who have souls.
“Long lay the world
in sin and error pining
till He appeared
and the soul felt its worth.”
If turning over these books brings a glimmer of the eternal into this otherworld then I’m going to keep ask God for m-o-r-e so that through all of this a soul or two might feel its worth.
Robin, thanks so much for adding your perspective on your books that have been made into films. God has been gracious to us that the film crew, for each movie, has opened their arms and hearts to us. We’re blessed to be able to give them a peek into the world of faith.
Having worked in the film industry, I’ve seen projects fall apart at all stages. I decided I can’t fully claim a film project until I walk through the theater doors on opening night. Only then, can I confidently say “we made a movie.” 🙂
Sadly, many projects fall apart for various reasons but if you do find yourself walking through those theater doors someday, there is nothing more exciting like seeing your story brought to life through film.
For the screenwriters out there, you must also be willing to surrender your work for changes as directors/producers have a way of requesting their own changes during production. In the end, if you can find the balance of sacrificing your personal attachment without sacrificing your integrity as a writer, it can be one of the best experiences you’ll ever have.
I encourage everyone to press on in their dreams and God will provide the way. After all, He is in the business of working miracles and sometimes it feels like you need one to see your writing on the big screen. Don’t give up fellow writers. 😉
Cori, thank you for bringing the screenwriter’s perspective to this conversation. It’s good to hear how it looks from other side of the “desk.” Everyone has to relinquish something to get that story onto the screen, right?
I love Robin’s books. My favorite author for sure. I do enjoy watching a movie, however, I fins if I read the book, it’s harder to imagine the book once you’ve watched a movie on it. And some times there’s disappointments in what you see how the film industry visualizes an authors writing.
I always like to read the book before I see the movie. I know the film will be a stripped down version of the book; so mentally I can add the layers that were in the book as I watch the film. And, yes, I generally find the movie is an anemic version of the story.
Janet, this is so insightful. And I can imagine the mischief you and Robin got into (in the kindest of ways, of course) on the set. 🙂 I so appreciate your perspective and long-term outlook. It’s enlightening to read of all that happens/can happen on the journey of a book to a movie.
Robin, I loved reading your comment as well. Your heart for people always shines so brightly!
I think the film crews view Robin and me sort of like puppies. (Robin would say crazy aunties.) We’re ga-ga about parts of the production the crew just takes for granted. But I think our enthusiasm reminds them of all the things they love about the industry. And, I have to say, many on the crews choose to work with Hallmark because the films are clean and heartwarming–and 90-some of them are filmed every year in the same Vancouver area. So, nice, consistent work for the crews.
I loved reading about this, Janet. Many thanks to you and Robin for sharing insight. I loved hearing about your excitement. I can imagine what a novelty you two are … coming in with all your enthusiasm and helping them remember that Hallmark is such a joy to so many. It’s not old-hat to many.