Baby Dollar Deal Questions

**Stasia_39** · June 11th, 2010

Hi everyone!

Just joined but have been a Stephen King fan since I was in junior high.

I have some questions about the Dollar Baby deals and I hope someone can help me answer them or, point me in the right direction as to who I can contact.

I notice that the adaptation that I would like to do is not listed.

I know how Option deals work when you are submitted a script to Hollywood studios, etc.

However, I understand that this is not Hollywood – so, since this film would only be submitted to film festivals, do I have some flexibility in terms of:

1) Can I also make the adaptation event though someone else may have already made the film? Or, is only amateur filmmaker allowed and once they purchase the rights, they are gone.
2) What if someone purchased the rights but never produced the film? Can I then produce it?
3) Is there a time limit in which you must produce the film and if you don't, it becomes "up for grabs" for another amateur filmmaker?
4) Could there be another reason that my story is not listed?
5) Who can I contact to find out if I can still produce this film?

Sorry for all of the questions – this film idea has been in my head for YEARS and it would be heartbreaking if I couldn't do it.

Stasia

**Moderator** · June 11th, 2010

The information about the Dollar Baby program is in the FAQ. Only the stories that are on that list are the ones that are available--no exceptions. If it's not listed it is either because Stephen doesn't want it adapted, the rights are already optioned, or it has been adapted to film as a commercial project. The dollar baby rights are not exclusive to one person so at any one time, there may be several people who hold the option. It's up to each film maker to put their own stamp on it. I think this has answered your questions, but if not, let me know.