The GITS community comes through once again!

Remember this question from Matt:

Hi Scott-

Long time listener, first time caller here. I love your blog. It’s the one of the most helpful, fun, inspiring screenwriting sites around.

I read and fell in love with a sci-fi short story by [name omitted to protect Matt] from [the 1940s]. I think it would make an amazing movie and want to write the screenplay. But I have no clue about obtaining rights, as most of the information online seems ancient. Here’s what I know:

The story was published in [omitted], then adapted into a radio play and an anthology TV program in the early 50s. As far as I know, that is that, as far as its legacy.

[The author] died, followed by his wife. He is survived by [some children]. He also has papers donated to a university.

I wrote the university to see if they knew who had rights. I am trying to track down the sons to do the same.

Do you have any advice or know of any resources about tracking down rights to an old and somewhat obscure short story? I’m flying blind here, as screenwriters often do.

I responded as did several other people including — most notably — Mac who gave an incredibly detailed answer, and as it turns out a solution. An update from Matt:

Matt here. Thanks for all your great stories and advice. (Mac, you outdid everyone. Man, you worked for that one!) In my own case, I had good fortune right away. I sent an email to the university that held the author’s papers; they, in turn, forwarded it to the author’s surviving heirs. One of them contacted me right away and offered story rights for a mere $250, plus reasonable royalties if it sold. I am currently drawing up a deal memo that will lay out our agreement and promises I will negotiate in good faith if and when I sell the script later. So, basically, I got the story for a little bit of money and one afternoon of research and emailing. Now…I just have to write it!

Once again the GITS community rises to the occasion to help one of our own! To all who took the time to respond to Matt’s question, and especially Mac, a double dose of creative juju!

WaaaaaaaaaaahWooooooooookah! WaaaaaaaaaaahWooooooooookah!

Good luck, Matt, with your writing project!