Hi all. I would like to know if anyone knows about making a movie from a book? Do you have to contact the author? Do you only have to contact him/her if you use the name of the book and characters names? And is there anything else I would need to do?? Thanks in advance...

I think it depends on what you're going to do with the screenplay after it's written. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but if you're going to send it around to different places, I don't think it matters much. I've heard/read script readers say that they'll read adaptations and if they're good enough to take the next step, they'll go through the legal stuff afterwards.

If you're going to adapt a novel and then make it yourself, I'm sure it's a much different story, and I have no idea what steps to take in that situation. I'm sure someone does though.

yeah I think that's right politicsofecstacy

I'm pretty sure you still need some sort of permission from the author or the publishing house, unless of course the work is in public domain.

I think that written permission is all that's necessary at that point. No "legal documents." Unless of course you're doing it for yourself or for an eighth grade class and not planning on trying to sell, produce, exhibit, distribute the piece or enter it into festivals. If thats the case, sure you don't need permission.

Otherwise its the cya idea.

I must say, thanks for your guys help! Looks like I got it right...

I'm thinking about turning the 6th Harry Potter book into a feature. Think anybody will mind?

First find out if its in the pipelines...

then refer to the above. The author will have $$$$$ in mind...

Damn. I just spoke to J.K. Rowling. She said she'll sell me the rights for $10 mill. Anyone want to chip in?