From Page to Screen: Taking Your Story to Hollywood - podcast

Hollywood producers often look to literature for their next big movie. The trick is getting their attention. Pen Densham, Hollywood producer, writer, and director, talks about how to sell your book to Hollywood and the right way to initiate contact with people in the movie industry. He says that how you approach producers and directors is key in selling your book-to-movie idea. If you want people to pay attention, you need to approach them personally and figure out how to translate your project into something that excites them. Find a director you like and whose projects are in the style of your book, and then write them a letter to pitch your book. If you have someone willing to look at your book, you need to manage their perceptions of it, because it’s all about perception. You need to sum up your story in a catchy and appealing way so that the buyer sees it as a financial opportunity. If you can make your project seem like the logical next step in their personal journeys, they’ll definitely take a look at it.
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  • Great advice! I intend to start researching potential Hollywood connections for MY book! Marsha Sandoval, Author Cat House: Adventures of a Real Estate Madam (comedy, mystery)
  • Mr. Densham, Thank you for your remark on human being talking to human being and telling a story. I am writing about an event that happened in the lives of my husband and me has been talked about in certain circles and I want to set the record straight for the sake of a great many people; there was much publicity and miss reporting going on at the time. A very interesting story which needs to be told and you have helped me to understand how to do it. Thank you.
  • Very helpful information. Well presented and well thought out. Thanks for sharing.
  • Mr. Densham, I need your advise please. I wrote an illustrated the children’s book, “ Bella’s Journey with an Angel” that teaches children how to release all their fears and believe in their own power. How to fill her hearts with unconditional love and send their love and light to the earth . How to let go of their anger and love everybody and everything without any judgment. By book is also registered under Writers Guild of America. I was wondering what is the best way to submit my book for consideration making a cartoon or animation film. ?Do I need to hire an agent to represent me before I submit my book (for example Dreams Work Inc )or any other animation productions? Thank you very much Julie Cherkezishvili