Whether they admit to it or not, many fiction writers secretly dream of seeing their works made into films. Beyond the hope of a Hollywood paycheck, it’s also something of a validation of the work—proof-positive that what they’ve written is a story greater than the limits of a single medium. All it would take is the right person to come along—cast, crew and camera at the ready—and make it happen.
Thanks to Asheville-based “book shorts” media company Writers-In-Motion, that dream is almost, but not quite, a reality. WIM is one of a handful of production companies across the country that specializes in turning upcoming books into promotional mini-films. Consider them a cross between a commercial video company and a vanity press. For a few thousand bucks, you can have a synopsized version of your novel turned into a 3-to-5-minute film ready to upload onto the internet, give away as a promotion, or use as a pitch reel to land that real movie deal.
What do the films actually look like? Not too bad, actually. WIM recently posted their latest book short based on the upcoming Tina Wainscott thriller Until The Day You Die on Google Video, and it’s well worth a look.
And what does a book short like this cost? According to Troy Scott Burnette, co-founder of WIM, the production costs vary much like they would for a feature film. Lots of set design and special effects can bump up the cost into the tens of thousands, while a relatively simple film can be shot for only a few grand.
Currently, the company is focused on creating films in the thriller/mystery genre, which tend to be relatively simple in terms of sets and effects. They’ve also been exploring breaking into the lucrative romance market, which sees hundreds of titles released each month. According to Burnette, the book shorts format could also be a tool for unpublished writers to pitch their book, hinting at a potential feature film deal.
But, does the idea really work? Are readers more likely to buy a book they’ve seen made into a short promo film? Let us hear your thoughts by commenting in the field below.
— Steve Shanafelt
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