How to Market a Screenplay

Our readers have often asked when the GREEN DARKNESS movie is coming to their local movie theater.

Oh, if only it was as 'easy' a process as step 1. option the book's screenplay rights. step 2. write the script... step 4. make the film.

What is missing in that formula is step 3 -- marketing the script to a producer or producers who will champion our script through the financing phase and getting a director interested, casting some big name actors/actresses, putting together a crew with equipment, booking locations, and a myriad of other details. And those are just pre-production and production intricacies. We won't go into the complexities of post-production in this blog.

Marketing, also known as pitching the screenplay, is an art -- a stomach churning, nerve rattling, roller coaster ride of an art. A specialized skill that we hone with every pitch we give. Whether the pitch is done face-to-face with a producer, or by having a producer read a written synopsis, or by paying companies who specialize in getting us access to pitch to big-name producers on the phone ... it's a coin toss whether the producer will ask to read the script.

During the pitch, they can sound totally enthusiastic about our project, but then they may not ask to actually read the screenplay. And if they ask for the script, it feels like forever before we hear their verdict about being involved in the project.

One producer may put down the idea of even reading a period piece, saying it's too expensive to create or not marketable; then, the very next producer may say something like  "Wow! That stuff is really hot right now!."

One may say he wants to research the book's track record more; and then, the next could ask to read the screenplay before the pitch is even finished.

Sometimes they suggest that it might work better as a TV mini-series, but they’re only interested in feature films and so won’t even consider reading it..

Some complain when we give information about the book and the built in audience, others find that information welcome. Some want more time spent in the medieval period of the story, and others are more invested in the ‘present’ part of the story.

The Executives we pitch to have to consider not only their own reactions to the story but the feelings and opinion of their higher ups whom they will have to convince. One producer knew right off the bat that her boss didn’t like reincarnation stories.

Like we said -- a toss of the coin... a roller coaster ride, but whatever the experience is, we won't stop until we find the perfect home to bring our adaptation of GREEN DARKNESS to life at your local movie complex.

Wish us luck!
   
Until next time --
Marla & Angela

Naworth Castle - its private and public sides

           

           

Hello, to all the patient fans of GREEN DARKNESS. We are still on track, looking for a producer to take the adaptation to the next step toward a film.

We have also been trying to get a response from Naworth Castle. After many attempts, we have done some research of our own. 

In the absence of a Q & A  with the present owners of Naworth Castle, let's talk about the location in part III of our series of GREEN DARKNESS locations.

Naworth Castle, known as "Naward" in historical documents, traces its origins back to the late 1200s or 1335 depending on the source your reference. In GREEN DARKNESS it is located in Scotland, but today it's officially listed as being in Cumbria, England, a mere 10 miles from today's Scottish Border.

 
Ownership of the 2,000 acre estate changed hands several times over the 700 years of its existence, starting with the Baron Dacre. The present owner Philip Howard is the 13th Earl of Carlisle, one in a long line of Earls.

This romantic stronghold is not open to the public as a day-to-day hotel, but exclusive overnight stays can be arranged for a minimum of 10-18 people who will stay in the bedrooms in the Dacre, Morpeth, and Lord William's towers and the courtyard rooms.

Tours can also be arranged to see the 2 pre-Raphaelite libraries, Medieval dungeons, Great Hall, and Lord William's bedchamber. Philip Howard will serve as your guide. Weddings performed at the estate have been scaled back since 2002 when it reverted to being just a private home. That said, official ceremonies have still been known to happen at Naworth from April - September.

Films and TV productions have used Naworth as a shooting location since the 1980s. The castle's medieval exterior and grounds need little or no dressing for period pieces, as does the adjoining walled garden with its 17th century feel. The 20 rooms in the west wing have been stripped down to the original stonework, making them perfect for authentic, interior sets. 

We wonder what Anya Seton would think of Naworth Castle in the light of today's ongoing improvements -- something tells us, she might have had her characters spend more time at this grand estate.

It looks like a wonderfully atmospheric location. Don't you agree?

Till next time~~
Marla and Angela

Is Green Darkness YOUR Favorite Book?

Recently, we were thrilled to hear that one of our blog followers had found a mention of GREEN DARKNESS in a book she was reading! The book was THE UNFINISHED GARDEN by Barbara Claypole White. A character declares that Green Darkness is her favorite book!

 

Our curiosity was tickled, so we contacted Barbara White and she confirmed that it is HER favorite novel as well. I guess the character was speaking from the author's heart. :-)

 

We were so delighted with her response and enthusiasm for a film version of the book that we decided not to let the momentum lapse.

 

We then contacted Barbara Samuel-O'Neal who wrote the preface to the latest edition of GREEN DARKNESS. She was thrilled to hear of our project as well and said she'd mention it in her blog. 

We have heard from a number of our blog readers, who have told us the same thing. 

 

GREEN DARKNESS is not just a "well-loved" book it is a FAVORITE!

 

GREEN DARKNESS was on the Bestsellers list for 6 MONTHS! We can't get firm statistics, but we estimate AT LEAST 250,000 copies sold during that time. 

 

The book has been in print almost constantly since 1972.

It has been translated into at least 9 languages. 

There's a study guide online.

Amazon.com has designated it a "Rediscovered Classic". 

 

We asked ourselves, if this was the favorite of novelists, then there must be hundreds, perhaps even hundreds of thousands? of others who are still  great fans of this book. 

 

We need to find them. Are you one?

 

If GREEN DARKNESS is one of your favorite books, please let us know!

If you would like to see this on the screen, please let us know!

 

Waiting to hear from you~~

Angela & Marla

EPONYMOUS GREEN DARKNESS ADAPTATION

Definition -- epon·y·mous, adjective, \i-pä-nə-məs, e-\ : of, relating to, or being the person or thing for whom or which something is named …

Our script is once again an eponymous adaptation of the novel GREEN DARKNESS.

 

Why IS the novel called GREEN DARKNESS? Anya Seton certainly based the title on the flimsiest of references, a mere mention in a poem, that barely relates to the story.

When Marla and I began our adaptation we discussed our working title at length, as we have mentioned here in our blog. We decided on PREORDAINED as a much more appropriate, if less evocative, title. A couple of readers commented and advised we stick to the original, or at least make sure the eponymous title was on the posters.

We have tried to stay true to the essence of the book and in the end we decided we had  to make the green darkness reference apply -- one way or another.

As screenwriters, we’ve been acutely aware of the need of the title being spoken by one of the characters. So we wrote that in, making it relevant. And then we finally felt justified in calling the script GREEN DARKNESS once more!

Till next time~~
 P.S. Check out our interviews at : Creating Unforgettable Characters

CALLING ALL GREEN DARKNESS BLOG FANS!

                Angela and I are embarking on a publicity campaign to draw attention to our adaptation screenplay of GREEN DARKNESS the novel.

                Normally, this would be the job of a producer’s publicist, but, for now, since we took the initiative and optioned the screenplay rights to the book… well, we have to continue to think outside the box and break new ground that will lead to getting our script optioned.

                To that end, we need your help. Whether you’re from Spain, New Zealand, Russia, America, England, Canada, France, Germany, Australia or any other country that has shown up on our visitor stats, we ask you to do one or all of the following:

- Tweet #GreenDarknessadapationscript. Tweet and re-tweet until it’s trending worldwide!

-‘Like’ our Green Darkness Adaptation page on Facebook

-Post #GreenDarknessadapationscript on your LinkedIn sites.

-Comment on this blog site, telling us about Romance Writers Groups, Romance Novel fan groups and networks, Romance readers’ book clubs, etc. that we should contact to advise them about the work we’ve put our hearts into to bring this classic story to the big screen.

                These actions, along with others you may think we have overlooked, will make producers notice that we have a great script available to be optioned and purchased.

                Wide-spread mention online = producers taking notice = producers developing a passion for our project = a demand for the script.

                Help us shine a spotlight on our GREEN DARKNESS script and we’ll see you at the cinemas in record time.

                Thank you and keep reading this blog for progress --

Cheers

Marla & Angela

GOOSEBUMPS AND "SIGNS"

Rev. Dr. Rowland Dilke Taylor

I am constantly amazed at how much stranger life is than fiction.

As writers we try to pay extra attention to the world around us, hoping to find that next wonderful idea that will be "the one". Marla and I also believe in "signs", even though those have let us down in the past. We're both optimists at heart. Otherwise, why would we be in this crazy business?

This week, Marla's ever-expanding search for ancestors, has brought us a "goosebump" moment, which we'd like to share!

Marla's story pertains to GREEN DARKNESS, Anya Seton's fabulous novel set in the turbulent era between Henry VIII and Elizabeth I. These were times when religion was determined by the monarch  First came Edward VI, then Lady Jane Grey and "Bloody" Mary.

In that interim, Catholics and Protestants were put to death for belonging to the "wrong" religion of the day. So it was that many were burned at the stake during Bloody Mary's reign.

One of those victims turns out to be Marla's ancestor!

Here we are centuries later, writing about the very times her ancestors lived and died in. We even refer to the events--in one of the earlier versions of our adaptation.

We have to ask ourselves: what drew her to the story? Was it just an accident that she was so caught up by my description? Or, could it have been the ghostly hand of  Rev. Dr. Rowland Dilke Taylor, Marla's 12th great-grandfather, guiding her, and me? We'll never know for sure, but it makes us wonder. 

For those who are interested, here's a link to his remarkable story: http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/23141487/person/12800603101/media/2?pgnum=1&pg=0&pgpl=pid%7cpgNum

Till next time

Angela and Marla

Making a Big Deal for GREEN DARKNESS

"Screenwriters Angela Falkowska and Marla Hayes optioned the rights to the NY Times best-selling novel Green Darkness by Anya Seton.  First printed in 1972, the book has picked up a large fan-base over the years, and was reprinted in 2000.
Angela and Marla secured the rights from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company and will adapt this tale of undying love, suspense and reincarnation into an equally memorable and haunting screenplay.
Having the rights to an underlying property makes a script more desirable and credible to major production companies and Studios." From http://www.screenwritingu.com/buzz/?p=281


Finding an available best seller is almost as difficult as booking passage on the space shuttle. In our case it wasn't a first try, it was our second. As screenwriters who have yet to have a feature produced, it's desirable to have a novel with a great track record to base a spec script on. That's particularly true these days when every movie in your local theater is either an adaptation...or an adaptation.

It all started when I went searching for Anya Seton (it's time to re-read one of my favorite authors) and came across a blog that followed the trail of GREEN DARKNESS:  I was amazed to discover that some of the major sites in the book were still in existence. My screenwriter's imagination went berserk! I immediately called my screenwriter friend, Marla and began telling her about the novel. By the time I was finished we'd both ordered copies of the book! Right after that I shot off an e-mail to the publisher and received a response a week later to say they weren't the holders of the rights-- but they were kind enough to forward that info.

The publisher replied quickly and informed us that the rights were indeed available. She would contact the late author's estate and find out more. We were on our way. Meanwhile the book arrived and we both started reading. It's a thick book, and a rich but not quick read. We quickly discovered that my memory was not what it used to be and nostalgia had woven a sheet of rose-colored glass over the whole story. Looking at it through "adaptation" spectacles was an entirely new experience. But that's not enough to daunt two experienced and determined screenwriters...