Reader Question: Do any screenwriters work on a commission basis?

From dizneegal:

I write children’s books, but have a story that needs written for a movie. Do all screenwriters have fees? Do any screenwriters work on a commission basis? Thanks. (sorry if already been asked)

If you are asking, “Do screenwriters sometimes agree to adapt a preexisting story on spec [no money up front],” the answer is yes. This is especially the case with aspiring screenwriters who may perceive the story to be highly commercial, therefore a screenplay based on it something that could sell and advance their career. Indeed even professional screenwriters will do this type of thing — occasionally. Here are a few examples:

“All You Need Is Kill”: Spec script sale based on a manga [4/6/10].

“Inherit the Earth”: Spec script sale based on a comic book series [2/23/11].

“Bloodshot”: Spec script sale based on a comic book series [3/1/12].

And by “occasionally,” I mean rarely and almost always a passion project for them. Professional screenwriters are used to getting paid to write. Once that habit is established, it’s a hard one to break!

In terms of working with an aspiring screenwriter, you will want to nail down some sort of agreement with them. I’m not a lawyer blah blah, so you should seek out professional advice on this. In my experience, however, I have seen a lot of potential working arrangements crash and burn before anyone put pen to paper because they hit legal roadblocks. And the fact is there have been successful relationships based on nothing more than a handshake agreement [I believe Frank Darabont had such a deal with Stephen King way back when].

Be advised: If a screenwriter does adapt your book and those screenplay rights sell, that money would presumably go to the writer. Your money would be to buy the underlying rights to your book. Again I’m not a lawyer etc, but that’s my take on it.

You could share “story by” credit. Or you could state you want sole “story by” credit since you are providing the children’s book as the basis for the screenplay. Then you would get a percentage of the screenwriter’s deal.

One final point: Have you gotten your book to a movie producer? Rather than you trying to find an appropriate screenwriter, why not see if you can snag a producer’s interest? That would open up a larger field of options for you, including the producer putting together the book, a screenwriter and a pitch, and going out that way.

I’ll bet others in the GITS community may have further advice or insight into this situation, but there are at least a few thoughts.