Cash in on Hollywood's IP Obsession with Guidance from a Media Rights Expert
Are you an author wondering how to turn your book into a movie or a TV show? Or a screenwriter who wants to adapt an author's work? This course walks you through everything you need to know about the business of adaptation.
As a literary manager, I talk to executives at production companies, studios, networks, and streamers every day. I ask about their mandates, what projects they're developing, and what they are looking for.
They all want projects based on IP.
Hollywood relies on books, comics, videogames, dolls, and even board games as source material for billions of dollars in TV and film franchises every year.
Get clear on the step-by-step process of turning a literary work into a movie or TV show.
In this course, I sit down with a Literary Manager/Producer turned Studio Executive and media rights expert for an hour-long conversation.
We discuss the business side of adapting a literary work for the screen.
Meet the Expert
Eddie Gamarra is former VP of Literary Affairs for Paramount Global Kids & Family. He has worked across live action & animated television, specializing in literary adaptations to acquire books and other IP for development and production.
Prior to working for a major studio, he was a Literary Manager at The Gotham Group, a management and production company representing screenwriters, directors, animators, authors, illustrators, and publishers. Focusing on children's and family entertainment, he repped numerous New York Times bestselling authors & illustrators, as well as Oscar, Emmy, Caldecott, and Newbery award winners and nominees.
He was Executive Producer of THE MAZE RUNNER trilogy from 20th Century Fox, Disney+'s production of Jerry Spinelli's iconic love story STARGIRL, and Jordan Peele & Henry Selick's stop motion Netflix feature WENDELL AND WILD.
We see announcements about book adaptations every day.
Films based on books make up 70% of the top grossing films worldwide.
This means most studio executives and producers are more interested in adapting IP than buying original screenplays.
If you're an author, you want to know how to benefit from this trend.
This course walks you through exactly how the adaptation process works from a business perspective.
Eddie answers:
- How can I tell if someone from Hollywood is really interested in my work?
- How can I tell if a producer reaching out is a scam?
- How do Hollywood executives choose which titles to adapt?
- Why do studios acquire certain books over others?
- Can I adapt my own work? Should I?
- How do I get my book(s) in front of Entertainment Industry executives?
- Will I have control over my adaptation? How can I be involved?
If you're a screenwriter, you want to know how to sell an adaptation.
This course addresses:
- Can I option underlying material myself?
- How do I find out if the Film/TV rights of a book are available?
- Can I adapt IP on spec?
- Can my script/pitch/treatment become a book?
- How can I take advantage of the demand for IP to get my scripts produced?
Once you complete this course, you will have a clear understanding of how the IP adaptation process works.
This means that you will know exactly how to position yourself to access the opportunities you're looking for.
And you will know the red flags and legal pitfalls to avoid to make sure you don't get taken advantage of.
Is this course for you?
This information will be beneficial to writers who fit the following profiles:
- You are a published author or writer who is receiving interest from Hollywood producers. You like the sound of what they are saying, but you want to make sure that you don't get taken advantage of.
- You are an author who wants your book adapted, but you don't know how to get it in front of Hollywood decision-makers.
- You are a screenwriter interested in adapting a piece of material, but you don't know how to go about actually doing so.
Eddie came and spoke to our UCLA Business management of entertainment class and it was beyond amazing! His words resonated with our entire class filled with his passion and drive for achieving successful results across the landscape of Hollywood to the aspiring author and filmmakers of tomorrow. As a student his words connected the dots in understanding and clarity that is energizing. When talking about the lecture Eddie presented among fellow classmates we agreed, we just had the best Professional Executive experience thus far. His enthusiasm and pure wit were infectious and loved it. Eddie is a gem and an inspiration for all in this industry.
- Aaron Walters
Our brains may have exploded a bit from all the awesome content, but we enjoyed Eddie Gamarra’s webinar Where publishing meets Hollywood. It was a mini masterclass. Time well spent.
- Sara Fujimura (YA Author, Faking Reality, Every Reason We Shouldn’t, Tanabata Wish, and Breathe)
Audrey's an integral part of my creative process, and possesses two rare qualities- impeccable taste, and a deep understanding of the TV and Film marketplace. Her guidance at critical moments have elevated my work, and helped my stories resonate with buyers. Scripts Audrey helped me hone consistently receive enthusiastic responses from Producers. Equally important, she's helped me focus on properties that can sell, and spared me from years of writing and re-writing projects that aren't right for the marketplace. Audrey's my creative comrade, and I guess she's yours now too!
- Zen Freese (Staff Writer, How we Roll)
Audrey is phenomenal to work with: full of great advice, provides actionable feedback, and is a brainstorming machine. Not to mention concise and honest without ever talking down. The side effect to all this is her guidance can be rather addictive. Highly recommend!
- Lisa Garvey
Problems you face as a writer:
Hollywood is in an IP frenzy right now.
But you are on the sidelines unable to take advantage of it.
Here are some of the most common reasons authors struggle to get a foothold in the entertainment industry:
- All your contacts are in publishing, so you don't know how to get in front of Hollywood gatekeepers.
- You keep hearing that everyone is interested in IP, but you don't know what kinds of projects producers want, specifically.
- You don't want to sign any agreements because you don't know what is a fair compensation structure for authors.
- You are overwhelmed by the TV/movie development process and don't know how to get involved.
- You've heard too many horror stories about authors getting taken advantage of, so you are slow to respond to opportunities that present themselves.
- You want to get your book adapted for the screen but worry they will ruin it.
As a studio executive, manager, and producer, Eddie has worked with writers and authors at all levels, turning their books into multi-million dollar franchises.
He has seen it all.
Download this course so Eddie can walk you through all the details you need to know about the adaptation process, as well as mistakes many authors make that you can avoid.
Cash in on Hollywood's IP Obsession with Guidance from a Media Rights Expert
If you sign the wrong agreement, you could miss out on millions of dollars over the course of your career. An individual career consultation with me costs hundreds of dollars, and getting a degree in the business of entertainment would cost you thousands.
If you don't know exactly how the process of literary adaptations works, you will waste years of your life spinning your wheels without moving your projects forward.
Or worse, you will miss out on the opportunity to connect with someone who is looking for projects exactly like what you have written.
But this course will give you:
- 45 minutes of content about the business of IP.
- A comprehensive picture of the adaptation landscape.
- A recorded 15 minute Q&A session with an experienced executive.
Don't miss this opportunity to get a clear action plan on how to cash in on Hollywood's IP frenzy.
