Hi, I'm new here on this forum.
I come from a background of news, comics, animation.
Over the years I've had agents and studios option comic book properties of mine for film. It's a miserable process. Some pals have gotten their projects to film some haven't. Quite a run-around scenario to say the least.
So recently at an investor's meeting my guys asked me about film. I was hesitant to go into it but realize an investment is an investment. It's easy for me as my overhead for pre-production presentations is zilch. I write, draw, storytell, the whole works so investors and crew can see what the project should look like anyway. That's the charm of comic books. You can create a whole world and easy to follow property for companies willing to develope. My mistake was working with small fries who were out to make a quick buck and not a quality product that does make a profit and grows in equity.
Luckily some of my pals have gone on to create features and some are in front of the camera. I live in a nice neighborhood in Hollywood and there are tons of actors and celebs. They all want to play a superhero or comic book character.
So what do you guys think of comics as properties that go on to film?
This is my second post on this board so 'howdy' and thanks.
A properly done comic strip can act as a storyboard cutting a lot of the visualization out of the process. This is good.
Some directors don't care about the source and want to give Superman a supermobile because they think it would be good. This is not so good.
It is possible a movie version could generate extra intrest in the comic bumping sales. This is good.
It is very possible a movie version could kill interst in the comic sales killing the whole thing. This is not so goo.
Hollywood optioned Isaac Asimov books for years and years, he collected check after check, and nothing became of any of that until after he died. This can be good. Checks are a great way to pay the bills even if your comic never becomes a movie. This is good.
Hollywood optioned Asimov's books so that other producers couldn't make movies of the same properties, movies he might have gotten larger checks for. This is not so good.
Seems to be a lot of variables that depend upon the folks optioning from you.
If you figure there is a chance your hard work will be screwed with, make sure they pay you enough money to cover the grief and regret. Put a time limit on the option that is reasonable. I've heard folks selling options for a dollar for eternity and that's just foolish. If those two can be satisfied then let it ride.
RJSchwarz
San Diego, CA
RJSchwarz
Thanks RJ.
That's why I do the comics and am going back into it. Comics really put fear into the hearts of the studios I've found over the years. They're scared someone else will pick up the property and run with it or the property is so established in the public's eye that they can't rip it off.
I've had companies option a property just because they wanted to dissect it for lines and concepts for other projects.
I've never seen so many egomaniacs and brats in one line of business in my life.
That's why I make sure there's a pay/play time limit or no contract. Either they have the means or they don't and they have to pay.
I hate to have to send lawyers in but it's inevitable you'll have to. Too many junkies and degenerate gamblers in the film business not to mention greedy competitive knucklewalkers.
