Write a book–any book–and I promise someone will say “is there going to be a movie?” Or “Why don’t YOU make a movie” (I guess because I bought that Flip video camera…)
There are a lot of misconceptions about the book business, but nothing compares to the misconceptions surrounding the book-to-movie process.
I’ve had three different film options with three different studios/production companies, and yet I still don’t know everything there is to know about how and why movies happen. But I’m going to share with you today what I do know in the hopes that maybe some of these misconceptions might go away for a day or two.
A DISCLAIMER
The very first thing you need to understand is that no two situations
are the same. This is where a lot of
the misconceptions come from, I think.
I say “authors don’t have the power or money to make a movie themselves” and you say but I read James Patterson is doing that!
I say “authors don’t have any input in the casting process” and you say but what about JK Rowling?
I say “authors have no control over the script” and you say but Susanne Collins wrote the screenplay for Hunger Games!
All of these are excpetions to the rule. All of them. And they’re all very good examples of…
TWO KINDS OF OPTIONS
Type 1: If the book is an established blockbuster on the scale of Harry Potter or Twilight when the movie deal is done then that author has far more control than usual because in that situation Hollywood NEEDS THEM.
If, like Susanne Collins, the author has a background in screenwriting then he or she might even get a shot at the script. (note: the Hunger Games script has been given to a Hollywood screenwriter for rewrites.)
These types of blockbusters are, by definition, very rare. So these types of movie deals are even rarer. They are anomolies, outliers, flukes. And they are the function of power and timing. If the deal is done before the book becomes a world-wide phenomenon, then the usual rules will likely apply (because those were the rules when the terms were negotiated.)
Type 2: If the book is not a mega-success at the time it’s negotiated or if the author is not a well-established movie draw (like Nicholas Sparks) then chances are that the author is not in a position of power.
Of course, sometimes there will be multiple studios interested which certainly helps the author, but for the most part things like script approval or producing credits are completely, 100% off the table.
Why? Because we’re book people, not movie people. Also, frankly, because Hollywood already has too many cooks in its kitchen. It takes millions of dollars to make a movie and with that come about a million hoops to jump through and people to please.
As my film agent explained to me during the Heist Society movie auction “No studio is going to invest millions of dollars in something and let the author keep the right to pull the plug on it.”
That’s why script approval is laughable for someone like me. That’s why–with VERY FEW EXCEPTIONS–no author is ever going to be involved in casting.
Really, it all depends on the terms of your…
OPTION
If there is a studio or production company who likes your book and wants to make a movie from it, they can either buy the film rights outright or they can “option” the film rights.
A film option is like putting the book in layaway. They aren’t buying the right to make it into a movie; they’re buying the right to THINK ABOUT making it into a movie.
They don’t have to make it–not at all. But they have a set period of time (usually a year or 18 months) to think about it and, most importantly, work on a…
SCRIPT
The script is king.
It doesn’t matter how well a book is doing; it doesn’t matter how awesome a book is; what matters in terms of getting a movie made is getting a script that people like and are willing to sign off on.
Because until the script is right, then there’s nothing to take to…
TALENT
This is one more example of how things in this process can and will vary. After all, sometimes books are optioned with some kind of talent “attached” to the project. (Example: Miley Cyrus was attached to WINGS very early on.)
Sometimes the book is optioned with no talent officially attached and, instead, the producers will get the script just right then possibly take it to directors and then the director will work on casting.
There is no right way or best way or “guaranteed” way to get a movie made. Hollywood is not Oz. There are a whole lot of yellow brick roads and every one of them–every. single. one–is at the mercy of…
HEAT and TIMING
Let’s say there’s a really great script based on your favorite book… Let’s say there’s an actress who is amazingly talented, very charismatic, and utterly perferct for the role… So that actress is going to get the role, right?
Maybe. Maybe not. You see, if that actress is already booked up for the next three years, then odds are the studio isn’t going to wait on her.
Or maybe they can get their first choice actress but only at the same time as their third choice leading man?
Maybe your favorite actress had a movie bomb last weekend and the studio now sees her as box office Kryptonite?
Maybe the studio has three projects in the pipeline with another actress, so they’re far more concerned with making HER a big star…
What most people fail to see is that movies aren’t magic. Movies are very expensive investments and very practical endeavors. The producers, executives, and people in charge are going to make their decisions off of more than hair color, is what I’m trying to say.
Who’s hot?
Who’s cold? Who’s getting good buzz for a project that no one has seen
yet and who had a movie that tanked overseas? These are just a few of the factors that will go into the decision. And besides, the odds of the right director, the perfect
actress, the ideal location and leading man all being
available at the exact same time are pretty rare.
Talent matters, don’t get me wrong. But it seems to me that availablity and heat matter more.
SO WHY OPTION ANYTHING IF YOU CAN’T CONTROL THE FINISHED PRODUCT?
I can’t speak for every author, so I’ll just speak for myself.
I love movies. And walking into a dark theater and watching one of my stories up there on the screen is a dream I’ve had for ages. Do I want that movie to be GOOD? Of course. Do I personally have the power to make a movie happen (good, bad or otherwise)? No. I just don’t. And very, very, very few authors ever do.
The other reason most authors are willing to option their material is simple: a movie is basically a 2 hour commercial for the book. And
it’s in most author’s best interest to give the books the chance for that kind of
exposure.
THINGS TO REMEMBER
Movies are made by hundreds of people doing just as many different jobs. And the odds of any movie getting made are oh-so-incredibly rare.
Of the writers I know, a fairly big percentage (I’d say maybe 75 or 80%) have things under option in Hollywood. Only a few will ever see anything actually made. Even once they finish a script and start talking to directors or signing stars, there are still a ton of factors that have to fall into place.
Basically, the odds of getting a movie made are long. The odds of getting a GOOD movie made are miniscule.
But we keep trying…
We keep trying all the time.
-Ally
hi ally
if there ever is a gallagher girl movie do they and you want a girl that is already in the film industry or not to play cammie.
I completely respect the time and focus you dedicated to this posting. Some, I already knew, but you made some valuable points. What a great way to set things straight!
Plz Plz try to make a movie for GG. I really wanna see the movie or play in it!
Wow. thanks, Ally, that was really kind of eye-opening, but very sad at the same time. It kind of helped to understand what all the people making the movie are going through and why they don’t make it better- that its not that they aren’t trying (tho it totally feels like it when you watch the percy jackson movie which has a plot that is in almost no way even relevant to the plot in the book) it is that they really can’t try any more. Still, I always think that as annoying as it is for us fans who walk out of the Harry Potter theatre arguing about everything that was done wrong, it must be killing Rowling.
Can we please have another Q&A/Ask Ally post soon?
Hey Ally I have a list things to tell/ask you:
1) I love all the gallagher girls books, they are so awesome ( but even though i mabey a little young, im 11 turning 12 in the middle of june this year)
2)both me and my twin sis got introduced to your books by one of our best friends and we just showed it to our other best friend ( all 4 of us were born in june!)
3) I know you said a couple of times already that you can’t control where you go on tour but can you think about comingn here to Hawaii? Pretty Please?
4)I hope that if the Gallagher girls get made into movies cammie will be played by the girl who is on the cover of your books (even though it only shows half her face i can tell she was very pretty)
5)Me, my sis and our two best friend are big fans of you that is why we want to meet you.
6) I know that alot of people had already said this butplease don’t just write 6 gallagher girl books when it end i will be so sad
7) My favorite character in the book is Zach (besides cammie of course!)
8)good luk on getting a movie! if the gallagher girls come out i will get all the DVDs!
9) Thanks so much for answering all those question about GG4, it made me uderstand the book so much more!
-sincerely, wishing2baGG
I found this a very useful and informative summary – one to steer non-writing pals to. Thank you
Hi Ally,
I was wondering if this series of the gallagher girls was going to come out as a series of movies??… also i love the books so far there amazing… i personally Love the 4th GG book… as it’s got so much action!!…
i was wondering if you could just give a little hint of whats going to happen in the next book GG5??
Loving the booksss soo much!!
thank you,
Leah xx
okay ally heres the deal. i love you and your blog and have been reading it for years now. and i feel the need to point out that if your lovely fans would actually search the blog using your super-cute homepage with all the links to everything important or even the search box they would find what they are looking for. i say this because i fell like you have already written this post or ones similar to it. im sorry you have to repeat yourself. it means a lot to me and others that you take the time out of your life to communicate with us cause you love us almost as much as we love you. i just feel the need to point out if people are complaining you dont post enough about your books then they should use the sear box. its soooo helpful! well that was my vent. thank you for having a blog for us to read to keep in touch while you write and live your life. and i cant thank you enough for being you.
Hey, Ally.. My friend and I really, really like the GG series and particularly, we love Zach. A lot. So, can u give an example of an actor maybe? The one that pictures Zach or the one u think/hope will be best casted as Zach (in case it becomes a movie)? I also love how u describe things in the books. I’ve read them like a thousand times and even search some places and things on the internet just so I can imagine how every scene goes in the real places and real things. So, I’m wondering, how bout TV series? Like Vampire Diaries? Gossip Girl? Will GG series do? I really hope it’ll do because if it’s made into movie(s), u’ll loose a lot of scenes (just say Nicholas Sparks’s, the novels r better than the movies). Thanks. Hope u’ll reply. Love u and ur books!
I think heist would make a really sweet movie, but i don’t think gg would be a good movie or a tv series (awesome books though ally
!). but maybe i’m just saying that because heist is my fav 
good luck with uncommon criminals ally, i know you’ll do a good job.
if the world has an incredibly lucky day and you have the unprecendented option to release it a month or so early please do not hesitate
Ally I wish the best of luck for the out come you would like. I would like to see your books come out in theater as much as anyone else but I want them tobe like the books which would be hard to do. So I wish you the best of luck.
Good post and reminds me a lot of Neil Gaiman’s The Goldfish Pool and other stories which is pretty much a biography of his time in Hollywood. It’s a real eye opener in to the Hollywood process from book to screen (or in the case of this story, from book to a completely different story which bears no relation to the original
)
if there is going to be a gg movie or hiest society i want to audittion i love the books so much..
If the GG series does get made into a movie will you let me know when they are doing tryouts for parts?
PS. I absolutely LUV your books they’re amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:)
PPS. If you had to pick a guy to play Zach who would you pick?
I’m a HUGE fan of your books ally!!!!! I haven’t read the HS books, but I’ve read the GG series and I love them!!! I think they would make an AWESOME movie:) Fingers crossed!!!
ya know, I kinda think GG books would make a great anime. But, that probably just me XD
Dear Ally,
I was just wondering if whether you want a particular actress to play Cammie, even though the decision isn’t yours. Also, would you rather an ‘unknown’ actress or a ‘discovered’ one?
I LUUUUUV GALLAGHER GIRLS BEST BOOKS IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD!!!
Hello!
I am a huge fan of yours!
I especially love the Gallagher series.
My favorite character is either Zach or Bex. (an of course Cammie)
And I really hope there is a movie of it!
(As long as Logan Lerman is not a character in it)
But the same guy that made Harry Potter made Percy Jackson and the Olympians, made Harry Potter VERY GOOD and made Percy Jackson VERY SUCKISH!!!
what do u have against Logan Lerman?!?!?!?!
I don’t care how the casting goes, I just know that the movie for Heist Society & Gallagher Girls Will Be Successful. I always be positive about something. I Haven’t read Heist Society YET, but I know its going to be great. & I think if GG was (or is) a movie now, its a BIG hit. more than twilight maybe? lol. < — seriously.
Logan Lerman is an awesome actor and I think he would be an awesome Zach. I agree, PJO wasn’t made into the best movie, but that doesn’t mean that people still don’t like to watch it.
I think it would be awesome if GG is made into a TV series. More opportunity to get things right and…. More Zach time!!!
I LOVE ZACH!!!!!!!!!!! he is like my dream bf haha lol! 4real tho hes the best and i love his character
anyways how did u get the inspiration to write such AMAZING books? and i totaly hope they become a tv series(not a movie because a series would last longer)
BTW I <3 GG
Hey I am a big fan of gg. So far my favorite is the 2nd but I think all of your books are awesome!!!! If you are going to make a movie I would love to be Macy or Bex. I love acting. Thank you
i think i don’t prefer logan lerman since he’s 19 and if we all make the movies, its like he’s growing up. looking old for zach.
hey, Percy Jackson was only suckish for the people that read the books first. Just sayin.
‘Kay so this might sound weird,but I was googling Gallagher Girls and the GG’s Austrailian website came up and it said that there will be a I’d tell you I love but then I’d have to kill you movie coming out?It said walden Media is doing it. But HERE it says there will NOT be a movie?
It would be awesome if there were a movie but u know what happens sooooo often? that the movie is bad and ruins the whole book. but if you chose to allow this filming industry thing than i know it would come out perfect
Hi ally!
Good luck with making it into a movie by the way. I really love the books and I can really relate to Cam sometimes. I’m 11 so i guess i’m a little young for the books. But if you do make it into a movie could you let me know just in case there are minor rolls! I have wanted to act since forever but I’ve never really got the chance! I know everyone else says this but if it is possible could you do a book 6!?……….I’m not sure if this happens in book 4 as i haven’t read it yet, but i think Joe Solomon and Aunt Abby should move in together and be like partners in spying…..
Lots of love1
XXX
Hi Ally, I was really hoping there would be a movie so plz plz plz plz try to make one it would be so cool but you would need to cast the right people of course so plz make one
I guess I never thought of it like that??
okay bottom of the comment list …wow… ANYWAY…I love your books basically just like everyone here…I have read all the books you’ve ever written (that are published
)…they’re Great but I really like the Gallagher Girls books the best (but I really like HS and UC)…I even started training in karate because I wanted to be able to do some of the stuff they do..ANYWAY my question/ request is:
IF you make this into a movie, will you PLEASE post it on your blog or facebook or (since I filled out my e-mail) email me? I think it would be really cool just to audition and I’m sure millions of other people would like to be informed of that amazing oppurtunity
P.S I totally appreciate you writing this post cus A) It was really long and must have taken some time to word that correctly and B) You actually took the time to explain things and that’s just awesome!
-Ree (thanks for writing such an awesome series!)
This is exciting. As sad as it is to know that this will probably take a long time, I can only now hope that it stays this way until I finish film school and can get to Hollywood. I would love to even just be a PA or coffee bringer on the set of the Gallagher girl movie
(No this is not me asking for a spot. I am well aware you have no control over that.)
i love your books there amazing they should really be made it to a movie it was awsome when i saw my name in it also can i be in your movie i would to audition even though i havnt been in a movie or anything before i think i would make a awsome cammie bex or liz
Omg if a GG movie was made I think it would be the best thing ever. Also it would give me another thing to collect for my GG collection ( I like collecting things!)!!!!
Hi ally okay i know im only nine but i LOVE YOUR BOOKS i hope you never retire and write as many ghaller girl books as you possibly can
ALLY I LOVE YOUR BOOKS I H OPE YOU NEVER RETIRE PLEASE WRITE A LOT MORE GHALLER GIRL BOOKS. PLEASE MAKE A SERIES OF GAHALLER GIRL MOVIES.
Hi Ally!!!
I’m a big fan of your work (especially the Gallagher Girls Series). I’m half-way across the world (asia) and I must say,we love said-series here. I know that there’s gonna be a 6th book in the series. I just know it. I hope it won’t be made in to a movie (I might sound crazy but don’t get mad at me, just keep reading on). If it were made into a movie you’ll lose a lot of scenes- especially the scenes of classes, the moments in the grand hall, and the uber-sweet moments with Zach (because I know a lot of movies cut those things from the book). Instead I hope it’ll be made into a TV series instead. More power to you and your work and God bless you!
P.S. Hoping there’d be more books (more than 6 books that is) in the GG Series.
I LOVE your books sooo soooo sooooo much! I can’t wait until the sixth one comes out!!! If you make a movie PLEASE notify me because I’d like to audition for a role, even if I’m only a 13 year old girl without any acting experience (everybody needs to start somewhere ;D)! My favorite characters are Cammie, Zach, & Bex (in that order, too). I hope you will make them into movies (or not, if you’d rather)
The best of luck,
-Sydney <3
Hi Ally!
You might read this, but if you do…
I really hope that your series will be turned into a movie series. But if it doesn’t, I will tell you that I know the feeling of disappointment when your absolute favorite book is turned into a horrible movie. As long as Movie-Cammie still has the qualities you originally gave her, I will definitely watch it.
I’ve always known that the movie industry was tough, but I thought it only took a couple of months to film after a year of gathering cast peoples–I was actually in a movie (an extra, I admit) and it was over a year before the movie came out–and another year to advertise and build up franchise and stuff.
Thanks for reading! (If you did, I mean.)
hi Ally…just wondering. Finished GG5 a few weeks ago, and although its early, whats the title of GG6 going to b? i want to know so that I can pre order it and read it before all of my friends.
Its a bit hard for me to imagine the books as movies because I’m used to imagining it by myself in my head but if a movie did happen to be made….and you had a choice in the casting….could you please do the girl who’s on the cover? shes on the cover, so it WOULD make sense for her to be Cammie. Also, since we see part of her face and uniform and everything, that’s who we picture (im only speaking for others who i know have read the book) as we are reading your AMAZING novels.
i finished GG5 about a month ago. It’s a bit early, but what’s GG6 going to be called? I want to know so that I can pre-order it as soon as I can.
Your books really are great! I haven’t read HS yet, but I will soon! If GG was to be made into a movie (or a movie series), and if you got to help choose who got casted, could you think about casting the girl who is on the cover of each book? I think that because she’s on the cover, a lot of us who read the books imagine Cammie to look something like that.
I think Heist would be better as a movie. All the action of a heist is really hard to portray all written out, especially when certain characters know certain things, etc. It feels like writing out a sports game – you’re missing something. I mean the writing was amazing but I could totally see it as a movie.
Wow, that’s interesting; I feel the opposite way, like Heist Society would make a better one than the GG books because I could just see all the actions in my head when I read HS. I guess we are all different!
I totally agree with you! GG would make a better movie, but thats just me.
Wow! It would be awesome to have a GG movie, but I know you can’t do that. But hey, if Diary of a Wimpy kid became a movie, who knows?
Well, if they ever do make a GG movie, I would very much like it to be good. I would much rather have no movie than a bad movie.
I’d be really excited to have either the GG books or Heist Society made into movies but if i’ve learned anything from my brother who is striving to make it in the movie industry it’s that these things take TIME. Like serious time. Im talking YEARS. And thats just for the script writing and the casting, let alone the actual filming. So although i want it to come out as soon as possible i know we have to wait.
I’m just curious about your last point. While movies are a good commercial for the book, I would assume another reason to do it is simply because the studio has to pay you to use your book in first place. Obviously, its the not mega-millions your exceptions get for their books, but I’m assuming you don’t just give the rights away for free either?
You will get paid for the option and then again if they actually go into production. For most writers, though, this money is pretty small. The big payday for most book-to-movie situations is the increase in overall book sales.
(Again, there will be MASSIVE exceptions to this rule.)
What was the third option? There’s LYKY and Heist Society, I know. Or is the third an option for one of the aformentioned books by a different studio?
LYKY has been optioned twice. Once by Disney and again by Walden Media. Heist is currently under option at Warner Brothers.
I really hope there would be a movie for the GG series or Heist Society. When I watch movies based on books, even if the movies aren’t as good as the books, I still like seeing another way of looking at the stories, and they don’t change my opinion of the books that much, if they do at all. But sometimes, if I watch a movie first and then read the book, part of my opinion would be affected by the movie. I guess that first come thing really influences me.
Personaly i love your books but i dont think they would make a very good movie. But i think that about most books. Its the fact that in a book you get to read the charcters thoughts but you cant do that in a movie and i think you loose a lot of the story in that. But if a movie is made i think heist would be a better movie than gallagher girls.
I guess you do loose a lot of info. about the movie that way. I think Gallagher Girls would make a better movie than Heist Society though only because it seems,to me,like Gallagher Girls has some more action in the last few books to make a movie out of. But that’s only my opinion.
Nice, Ally! Thanks for writing this up! I’ll have send this around to those writer buddies of mine, who have been ranting on about having thier books made into movies. And break their naive little hearts. Poor things.
Again, Ally we should thank you for an awesome blog.
I really hope Warner Bros. makes HS a movie.
And also I hope the GG books gets optioned, it could be so awesome if the GG series becomes a TV series instade of movies, well that’s my opinion
xoxo
heyyy i luv your books, i was just wondering if you could post a picture of someone you think would be a really good Zach, cause like me and my friends really want to know how you want Zach to look like
p.s I LOVE ZACH <3
Ally, what about keeping studios from whitewashing or otherwise changing your story in harmful ways? Think what happened with Ursula LeGuin’s stuff.
Changes will be made–they absolutely will. And, again, unless you’re a very powerful author you will not have the power to stop it. You can only be careful who you option to and hope that they are truthful and forthright in sharing with you what the vision for the project will be.
But anything can–and will–happen. And anything can change.
That’s an excellent example – I mean, if Ursula LeGuin couldn’t stop that major and harmful change to her story, what chance do the rest of us have? (Which is not to say that an author can’t protest. They can – LeGuin did – but it didn’t stop the change being made.)
i think of zach as more rugged looking
I love the GG books, if they make a movie I would love to audition! I am OBSESSED with those books and it would make a really good movie with the action, romance and comedy mix. Plus all the mystery!
omg i love your books there the best and if there is a movie i want to be cammie
Wouldn’t it be amazing to be in the movie?! The Gallagher Girls is my absolutely favorite series ever written (yeah I’ve read Harry Potter and Twilight). Being able to see able to see yourself live your favorite story is a dream!
hi my name is cammie and this is the frist book serise that i have ever read. i love this book are u making a 5th and a movie. also i heard that slena gomez is staring in the movie from the internet is that ture?
Hi Cam! Ally is totally writing a 5th GG book, but, sadly the movie is a no-go. Disney’s/Walden’s option rights expired in 2009, and no one else had picked them up. This is all the more evidence to prove that the internet lies. A lot.
i love this book ithink of zack as tall and has brown hair he sounds so hot!!!!!!:)
If LYKL became a movie I would be siked! I would go see it ab BILLION times! You are an awesome author Ally. I like to write, and you inspire me.
i love your books ally .i have a question if they ever do want to make a movie on the gallagher girls do they want some one famouse to play cammieor not.please reply.
I would love GG to become a movie better yet be In the movie I have always dreamed of playing the part of Cameron Morgan in the movie (if there will be one)
PLEASE MAKE A MOVIE PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ABOUT THE GGS BOOKS PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i would love this to be a movie, but like all good things it takes time. i would love to get the chance to act in this movie or something spylike. if you ever decied to have this has a movie, i would love to have the chance to tryout for this. please if you do make it a movie please respond to this to give me a chance to tryout.
P.S. your writing skills are amazing. and the effort you put into them shows through the talent and excitment i get when reading them.
Okay, so I haven’t been reading these books for very long, I started and finished all four of the books a few months ago and just finished rereading them. But, non the less, I am a total bibliophile, and of all the books I’ve read this is one of my favorite series. When I read RELLY good books like these the first thing I think of when I’ve finished reading is how good of a movie it would make (well, one of the first things) and I thinks that this would be the most awesome movie(s) ever! (and I know this is kinda impossible and all, but I think that the role of Cammie, or any of her friends would be one the greatest experiences ever, and I am so jealous of whoever gets the parts if this is made into a movie)