Do you make movies?

"Can you turn my book into a movie?" It's one of the questions we hear most often, and we love the excitement behind it. But we want to be completely clear about what we do, so nobody gets the wrong idea.

We don't make films, and we don't produce TV shows. What we do is the step that comes first: we turn books into screenplays. You can then use that screenplay to put your story in front of the people who do make films and series.

What Exactly Do We Do?

We specialise in screenplay adaptation. We take your book and adapt it into a professional screenplay, written and formatted to industry standards. Think of us as translators, turning your prose into the visual language that producers, directors and agents work in.

That involves:

• turning description into scenes we can see
• turning inner thoughts into action and dialogue
• reshaping the story to fit the pace of a film or series
• formatting everything to industry standard
• delivering a polished script you can submit professionally

For a film, that's a feature-length screenplay. For TV, it's a pilot episode script and a series bible. You can read more about that on our TV adaptation page.

Why Don't We Make the Film?

Making a film is a completely different business, and an expensive one. Even a low-budget independent film usually costs hundreds of thousands of pounds, and a studio film can cost many millions. On top of the money, there are contracts, insurance, crews, casting and distribution to sort out before anyone sees it.

That's what production companies are for. They have the funding, the crews and the distribution relationships. Our job is to get your story ready for them.

Do We Provide Industry Contacts?

Another question we're often asked is whether we'll share our industry contacts. We don't hand out contact lists, and we explain why here.

It works better for everyone that way. Producers and agents are sent far more scripts than they could ever read, and many no longer accept unsolicited submissions at all. Our contacts are valuable precisely because we don't share them widely. When we do make an introduction, it's because we've worked closely with the author, we believe in the project, and we can vouch for the script because we wrote it.

Building Your Own Industry Network

If you'd rather make your own way, there are good routes in:

• film festivals and networking events
• professional organisations such as the Writers' Guild of Great Britain
• respected screenwriting competitions and open calls
• production companies that make films like yours
• agents who represent screenwriters

They all take time and effort, but that's how real working relationships are built.

What Happens After You Have a Screenplay?

Once you have a professional screenplay, several doors open. Competitions can bring feedback and attention, and winners sometimes get meetings with producers and agents. Many production companies publish submission guidelines on their websites, and following them carefully shows you know how the industry works.

If your script starts to attract interest, an agent or an entertainment lawyer can help with the business side and any negotiations. Our guide on how to turn your book into a movie walks through the whole route.

Managing Expectations Realistically

Film and TV are hugely competitive. For every film that gets made, thousands of scripts never do, and success often comes down to timing and luck as much as quality.

That doesn't mean your story hasn't got a chance. Plenty of successful films started as books by unknown authors. What gives a story its best chance is a professional script and an author who keeps going.

Is Screenplay Adaptation Right for You?

If you'd like to explore whether your book could work on screen, a screenplay is the natural first step. It's an investment in your story's potential, not a guarantee of a film.

The authors who get the most from working with us understand that. They aren't looking for shortcuts. They want a professional script that represents their story properly, and they're open to the changes that adapting a book for the screen involves.

Our film adaptation service costs £1,200 + VAT for a manuscript of up to 80,000 words, and we'll adapt a chapter or scene of your choice for free first, with no obligation. Get in touch to claim your free sample and talk about your book.