Ask HN: I Want to Make “The Chronicles of Amber” into a TV Series. How?

21 points by sly_g 11 years ago | 13 comments

I am a journalist. I write articles about gadgets, web, science, technology, space, and the like. And I love to read fiction books. My favorite book is the "The Chronicles of Amber" by Roger Zelazny. It's a magnum opus of 10 volumes about life and adventures of a supernatural mythical family. And for a long time I had a dream – to make this book into a movie.

And at some point I realized, that it should not be a movie, but a TV series! They are becoming more intense and complex, and attract a big audience. There is even a very popular series based on the famous multi-volume fantasy saga. Yeah, that one. When I realized this, I quickly wrote the screenplay for a pilot episode. I think that it came out quite good. I've registered it with the Writers Guild of America, and can send it to anybody who can help me.

Next I found the agency and discussed this subject with them. The agency took its time to figure out who I am and what do I have. Finally, they told me that at the moment someone allegedly bought an option for a screen version of the book. But, reading between the lines, I realized that they just do not want to work with an unknown person. So I began to think about what to do next.

I found out that the book was turned into an audiobooks by TV actors Alessandro Juliani ("Battlestar Galactica", "The 100") and Wil Wheaton ("Star Trek: The Next Generation", "Eureka"). I found their managers' contacts and exchanged letters with them to find out if they are interested in supporting the film adaptation.

One of the managers was kind enough to explain to me, that his client is not engaged in producing activities, so, basically, when I'll have the rights and the financing for the project, they will be happy to listen to my proposal.

I've created a blog at https://9amber.wordpress.com/ with additional information about this problem in a blogpost (I had to cut this message at HN down to 2000 symbols), and a contact page. So feel free to contact me.

itbeho 11 years ago |

I too am a huge fan of the Amber series. I don't think Zelazny's estate has managed that asset very well though. See the Bettencourt novels and the controversy relating to their publication as an example. Or how rarely one will find Zelazny's works on the shelf at most brick and mortar bookstores compared to his contemporaries.

I wish you well in your quest! I'd love to see this series get a second life.

Turing_Machine 11 years ago | |

+1 on "not managing the asset well". Other than the Bettencourt books, they aren't even on Kindle, which is basically leaving free money on the table.

Alex_Notchenko 11 years ago |

If in some stage you'll want to create some kind of PoC, consider making a radio-play and some visual story boards, they relatively low in production costs, but can deliver a feeling that one will have experiencing end product, or can be a good medium in itself. Good luck with your endeavour.

sly_g 11 years ago | |

Interesting – I was thinking about the storyboard myself. Since I'm no visual artist at all, maybe I could find such a person, who can help me visualize this story. Thanks for your answer.

joeld42 11 years ago |

"I quickly wrote the screenplay for a pilot episode. I think that it came out quite good"

Not trying to be a jerk here, but unless you're a seasoned tv writer (and if you were, you wouldn't be asking this), it's pretty unlikely that something you dashed off quickly turned out that well. Maybe it is good, but to get produced it needs to be great. Have you read the Game of Thrones pilot script? That was pretty good, and without an option or a name writer attached it has to be better than that.

Also, you did this in the wrong order. You get the option first, then you write the pilot, unless it's a pure spec not intended to be produced, e.g. written just as a writing sample to get a staff job.

Almost every writer and showrunner in hollywood has a "passion project" like this that they would love to get made one day. And just as often, they can't do it even with a few shows under their belt and tons of connections.

Not sure why you're asking this on a startup news site. If you want, put on your flame-resistant armour and ask this again at in the forums at donedealpro.com. Post some sample pages there for critique. You'll get a lot of flak, and there's a lot of trolls on there, but you'll also get some good advice from people working in the industry.

All of that said, I hope you prove me wrong. You're right about one thing, it is a great series and would be a perfect fit for TV (well, except for budget, some of those settings would be unfilmable due to expense).

If you want, email me 5-10 pages from your pilot and I'll be happy to give you honest, constructive notes.

sly_g 11 years ago | |

Actually I've tried to buy an option first, before writing the script. And after I was denied, I decided to write it and try to find and convince somebody with an influence in the area to help me buy this option. I'm sure that the option is available, they just don't want to sell it to somebody they don't know. And I thought that it would be easier to convince somebody, if I have something to show to them. I've asked this here because by my observation there's a lot of different smart people here with totally different areas of expertise, and even if someone wouldn't help me right away, he can tell me in which direction I can look. Like you just did, pointing me to the donedealpro.com It's very nice of you to offer your time to review my work, and I'll send it to you right away. Thank you for the answer.

saturdayplace 11 years ago |

> Finally, they told me that at the moment someone allegedly bought an option for a screen version of the book. But, reading between the lines, I realized that they just do not want to work with an unknown person.

Maybe they were just trying to blow you off, but if someone else already owns the option on the original material you're stopped before you even get started. You're definitely welcome to have written your screenplay adaptation, but until you get the TV rights to the original material from whoever owns them, you don't really have a legal leg to stand on for making a commercial adaptation. If I were you, I'd try to track down who owns the rights, and see if you can't sell them your adaptation. Or try and negotiate purchasing the rights.

sly_g 11 years ago | |

Yes, I understand that if someone owns the option, that's it. At least, until they fail to produce the show in time and option will close. And after they told me that option was sold to someone, I've asked the agency to provide me with the buyer's contacts, or even give my contacts to the buyer so he could contact me. The facts that not only they didn't tell me that option was already sold right away, but they also denied my request to help me to contact the buyer, made me think that actually they didn't sell anything.

taprun 11 years ago |

You're in a tough spot. The more interest that you build in the series, the more likely that someone with more money and better connections will decide to take your idea and run with it. Further, it's not like you can simply start creating derivative works to demonstrate your abilities - you might get sued out of existence.

I'd suggest creating a website that talks about your plans, how you would approach the TV show making process. What are the types of things that you would do, what are some plot lines, how would you show the story's "card mechanic" visually? Build a community so that there is fan devotion not just to the idea, but to you and your implementation of it.

sly_g 11 years ago | |

That is a good advice, and I was thinking roughly in that direction myself. I'll try to make it work, thanks.

classicsnoot 11 years ago |

I am a indy film producer in the DC area. I have produced a web series, 2 short films, and a handful of music videos. What you are looking for is much bigger than what i am capable of giving you. Regardless, I'd love to help in any way i can. We are currently seeking funding for 1 feature whilst trying to pitch 2 TV shows.

email me @ the address on my profile.

sly_g 11 years ago | |

Done, the mail is sent.

BrianHutch 11 years ago |

I've had the same dream for many years. Please, whoever does it, don't mess it up.