Hatrack River Writers Workshop: WOTF Contract question

This is topic WOTF Contract question in forum Open Discussions About Writing at Hatrack River Writers Workshop.

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Posted by Dark Warrior (Member # 8822) on :

So for those of you Hatrackers that have won WOTF (and I dare say our writing group has produced more winners than any other group) I have a question on rights.

Being in the film industry, I am curious about movie rights. When I win I have some local production companies that would turn my story into a short, hopefully starring me but I am not sure if the contract would even allow that. Seems like it would be more pub for that particular volume but I really have no clue.

Posted by skadder (Member # 6757) on :

I am fairly certain they don't take movie rights, but I would need to look at my contract.

I think it is pretty much non-exclusive audio rights and antho rights...can't remember anything else off the top of my head.

I'd watch about giving away movies rights too cheaply though...

Posted by Dark Warrior (Member # 8822) on :

Thanks Skadder,
I was hoping that would be the case. I wouldnt be giving anything away. I would be the executive producer and writer of the short.

Posted by skadder (Member # 6757) on :

Have I missed something? Did you win?

Posted by Dark Warrior (Member # 8822) on :

nope, but I really really want to...hopefully before the actual raptures.

here is an interesting link. Looks like a ton of info that I havent been able to fully examine yet.

http://www.tvfilmrights.com/

Posted by BenM (Member # 8329) on :

The 2011 WotF contract expressly purchases the rights to distribute your work in the following editions: Hardcover, trade paperback, mass market papaerback, special edition, audio edition and electronic edition.

It's worth bearing in mind that Galaxy Press is a quite unlike any other publishing house. They really want to see you go on to big things, and would be overjoyed if you sold movie rights. Why? Because then they can point to you as one of their success stories when they're advertising the competition or showing the next year's WotF attendees what previous alumni have achieved.

Posted by Brendan (Member # 6044) on :

quote:
I'd watch about giving away movies rights too cheaply though...

Remember, Dark Warrior is looking for a career in both fields, so early work is excellent cred. How many novellists can say that their work has been turned into a movie? The situation is different to an established author, off whom the movie will be leveraging a ready-made audience. For these, a movie is usually a once or twice in a lifetime opportunity (e.g. Clarke, Asimov, Sagan etc.) But for someone that really does move in both worlds, this seems just a stepping stone into what could be a greater body of work (e.g. Crichton),

[This message has been edited by Brendan (edited May 25, 2011).]

Posted by Dark Warrior (Member # 8822) on :

You nailed it Brendan, thanks. And thanks BenM, that is exactly what I was looking for. I agree with your assessment too. Seems a win win for both sides, and who knows--the short could get picked up for a full feature like the SF shorts 9 and District 9 did.