Well, since the consensus seems to convey this board is heading down hill, I thought I would pose a question related to screenwriting and not all the superfluous nonsense I otherwise am prone to post.

(can I get an amen, smack?)

In my efforts to once again validate my own shattered confidence as a (pretty crappy and has much to learn) screenwriter, there's a short story I love by the author of "Secretary" (for those who have seen that with James Spader and Maggie Gyllenhaal) which I would like to commence adapting into a screenplay.  Just kind of take it how it goes.

I've read much on how to obtain the option to do so, but since it's been awhile, can someone please enlighten and/or refresh on how to go about such a process?

This has not been brought up in my previous screenwriting classes and I've had two.

Thanks very much

lesley

When I adapted a short story, I just considered the script an original screenplay based on the short story.  I just used the situation, the main characters, some of the dialogue, and parts of the story's plot to make it work.  I had to change the story a little bit to fit the visual nature of a screenplay.  When I was done with it, I just credited the short story as the source material, "Adapted from yada yada yada".  But there's probably more to it.

Ive never done this lesly but I would say the first step would be to contact the publisher.

lesley-
You have two options here. One is contact the publisher to see who has the rights. Most likely, since Secretary was made, I would have to say there is a good chance that the short story you want to adapt has already been optioned.  You could find out when the option expires but then you may have to pay an arm  and leg for it. (and assuming you don't have a spare 20 to ? thousand dollars lying around, you are up a creek without a paddle)
   Two, right the adaptation and really have no hope of it ever seeing production. My best friend did that. There was a novel that spoke to him and so he wrote the adaptation for it. An A list director and cast was attatched but since he didn't have the rights, someone else did, his version was never filmed. Even though it was the better script and would have done the novel right.
   If it were me, I'd say screw it. If you are hot and bothered to do an adaptation, find a local author who speaks to you and look at maybe adapting one of their pieces. The will ask for less money and it will be easier to get in touch with them.  
   Please email me if you have any questions. I love to chat with like minded people - Filmgrrl

You need the publishers consent in order to adapt a short story or book even if you're just trying to adapt a great novel for fun?

It says in every book you can in no way reproduce the contents but I thought that meant in a way to sell not just in any way for any reason

Wes-
    No you don't need the publishers consent to do an adaption for fun. But personally, why spent all that time and energy in a project that has no hope of seeing the light of day. I have very little time as it is, two job, blah  blah blah that I would rather take that time and work on something that possibly be made into a movie than working on a peice I know doesn't have a snowball's chance in hell. Maybe I'm egoistical but hey, life is just too damn short. I hope that answers your question.

How many of the things any of ours (As in people on simply) right now will see the light of day? Less than 5% eventhough some are better than movies today

I am 30 pages into an adaptation of a novel I read in one night, what I'll have to do for screenplay purposes is make it interesting because it seriously lacks that in the book eventhough I loved the book

Of course I haven't looked at it in about a year because of other screenplays and things life has thrown in my way

Adaptating it for fun is worth the effort, if you really feel you want to do it, but there is one catch  -- researching is three times the effort.  You really have to know and understand the story to fully translate it.  Yes, changes happen.  It's common and it's not a bad thing.  Look at the remake of Stephen King's 'SALEM'S LOT on TNT -- it improved on the original concept, but stayed true to the main story at hand.

If you're going to do it for money,  you have to get the rights or be connected to the studio, that has bought the rights.  Put it simply, it's a HUGE challenge.

The thing is everything I write is for fun, I'm not overly trying to sell anything. If someone asked me too sell a screenplay I'd say no, they offer a large sum I'd say no

I would hate to be famous because than you never get a minute to yourself, I'd probably be driven to suicide because that's just not the way I want to live

The truth gets you further than lying about it, if I adapted something and people came to me and said that's a very good adaptation I might contact the original writer or publisher and ask them to read it shop it around and not have to pay me anything accept a writers credit

What Wesley said is partially true, I never wanted to be famous, I just wanted to direct films that people would see, if that makes any sense.  Unfortuanetly, things turned out differently, obviously.  I adapted a story for fun  that's on this site, King of the Elves, and I looked into it, if you're writing it for fun and if you don't sell the script and if no one makes any money on the script whatsoever, you can get away with it.
 
If you wanted to do an adaptation of a short story, it sounds easy but you might need an agent, depends on how good of a writer you are.  If you have an agent, all you have to do is write a pitch or the script, and get a producer to buy the rights, and if you don't have an agent, it's a little easier, you have to find out who has the rights, then get the idea on paper, whether a treatment or synopsis or whatever, and get them to read it.  They may or may not read it, who knows, but their reaction is what's important.

I'd direct my own independant films but kinda show up during there viewings, wear a disguise so I could sneak out in case it sucked or was overly good

Have a co everything and than make him/her famous than I don't have to worry about all that crap that comes with, I'd just be the name behind the face

That's what I'd enjoy most about trying to make myself a well known independant film maker, being nothing more than a name for name sake

Shame it's been so long since I ducked into this thread.  It'd be cool if filmgrrl would come back because I found her advice very insightful.  I totally see what she's saying and agree one hundred percent.

Appreciate all advice given.  Thanks on that.

I always wanted to write a screenplay for ASK THE DUST by JOHN FANTE.
I see now though that is already finished and about to be relesed.

Salma Hayek as Camilla and Colin Farrell as Aturo.

I would love to slam it and say it is going to be ruined, but the great Robert Towne penned the script, so I can't wait to see it.

The novel is set in and around LA in the 1930's and focuses on The life of a recurring character in Fantes novels (which I suspect is himself) Arturo Bandini.

Arturo is a writer living in squalor in a flop house. He is living off his only successful story "The Laughing Dog". He writes letters full of lies to his mother and agent in the hopes of fame and fortune and lets his soul be compromised by Helfrick a hilarious, but dispicable neighbor (to be played by Donald Sutherland in the film). It turns out he is a good writer though and things pick up for him.

He falls into unrequited love with Camilla, a local barmaid (Hayek). Their relationship is a bit saditic. They constantly hurl insults and at one point hot coffee at each other.

Anyway I run the risk of underwhelming you with my boring synopsis.

Check out the first few pages and see if you get hooked here:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0876854439/ref=sib_db_rdr/103-2954660-2356603#reader-link

I highly recommend this novel to anyone who want to experience the pain of trying to become a writer.

"But if I ever saw a movie with your avatar somehow on the cover, I'd rent it in a second hahaha."

I can't imagine why.  I'd avoid it at all costs for the sake of my sanity, but that's me in a nutshell.