IS IT TIME TO THROW IN THE TOWEL?

It’s been well over a week since my last Zoom meeting call with Voyage Media. I was very excited at the thought of being given the opportunity to discuss my story openly with Robert Mitas, Voyagers Head of Originals, together with Development Manager Kaitlyn Brown. My microphone was muted during the meeting for technical reasons, but if I had a question, I could click on a button on the screen that would show a hand next to my face.

Following a detailed explanation by Robert and Kaitlyn of the purpose of the meeting lasting 50 minutes, Robert announced I could ask questions concerning my project. After carefully thinking about what I wanted to ask him, I clicked on the button, but as I did, several new faces popped up on my screen, all showing a hand to signify they wanted to ask to speak to him. I thought this meeting concerned me alone to discuss Arthur’s Seed, but I was wrong. It included a dozen or so candidates who, like me, had paid Voyage Media to join their Pitch a Producer Program and wanted feedback from their chosen producer's report. I must admit, I was shocked but carried on listening to some of the questions from them, and the answers Robert and Kaitlyn gave. Slowly, I began to realise that maybe, just maybe, the whole program was not the shortcut I thought it was to get my story in front of a Hollywood Production Company. After another 10 minutes of listening to questions from other candidates, I left the meeting before it officially ended. However, rather than judge from the outcome of this Zoom meeting, I would wait a week to see if Voyage Media would contact me personally to discuss the next step, but no, they haven’t yet. I’m not criticising them in any way, as they are a business, and they follow a certain procedure created by their CEO, Nat Mundel, that best suits the company’s principles.

I hear you asking what I hoped to achieve by paying Voyage Media to speak to a professional producer. Well, in many ways, after all the feedback I received from my readers of Arthur’s Seed that my story would make a great film or series, I wanted to get a professional opinion from a producer to judge my story’s worthiness. To be honest, I did actually achieve that by speaking to Bonnie Solomon, my chosen producer. Below is the actual report that she produced after we discussed the suitability of my story to be adapted during my phone call to her. She wrote the report after reading my seven-page synopsis of 4,884 words against the 88,896 words of the book, as I could not afford the £500 or so Voyage Media wanted me to pay for her to read all 230 pages of my book. Consequently, some of the story was left out due to the restricted page count I was allowed to send her. However, I was impressed by the thoroughness of her report so much it confirmed my belief that Arthur’s Seed would make a great film or series as long as a production company was willing to invest in adapting it. The fact that I’m an unknown author was the only thing against me. I leave you to judge for yourselves once you’ve read a copy of her report below.

BONNIE SOLMON’S REPORT ON ARTHUR’S SEED.

Logline/Hook: In a new take on the Arthurian legend, a modern teen girl is magically transported to ancient Wales, where she learns she’s the long-lost daughter of King Arthur and becomes involved in a plan to liberate the kingdom from Merlin’s corrupt, powerful daughter.

What are the strengths of this project? And why? This is an engaging, well-researched, broadly appealing cinematic fantasy offering a new take on a classic story. There are several complex, dynamic roles that could have appeal for actors, including Izzy and her two siblings, Arthur, Merlin (Myrddin), and Merlin’s daughter. With three planned books in the series, there’s plenty of content for adaptation.

What are the weaknesses of the project? And why? This is VERY expensive adaptation (historical settings and costumes, fantastical creatures like dragons, battles, magic, storms at sea, etc.) and is likely to be a tough sell unless the source material first finds a fan base (through a traditionally published novel and/or successful podcast). It doesn’t have quite a unique enough hook to overcome these obstacles. Also, as a self-published book the author didn’t have to think about target audience (e.g. middle grade, YA, or adult) and this may also be an issue with film/TV buyers and require a more targeted approach.

THE MARKET

What is the identified market for this project? studio feature or limited series for cable/streaming

Who are target buyers and key attachments? Netflix, Amazon, HBO, Starz, Universal, Warner Brothers, Sony, Radar Pictures, Left Bank Pictures, Tall Ship Productions

THE ROADMAP

Step 1: Screenwriter with experience in this genre adapts the book(s) into a feature film script or pilot script + series bible

Step 2: Meanwhile, author should try to garner a bigger fan base for the books, either via traditional publishing and/or podcast.

Step 3: Package the project with talent (e.g. director, cast), co-producers, and a budget.

Step 4: Shop project to buyers such as those described above.

Step 5: Best case scenario: project is optioned or sold, developed, and greenlit.

Other Notes: Another strategy to consider is breaking into the industry with a less expensive project (e.g. the computer scam story, which could be developed as an indie film) and THEN trying to pitch the high-budget fantasy.

(Note from me regarding Bonnie’s last statement concerning the computer scam story. Many years ago, I developed a screenplay for an ITV series for a friend of mine who is a well-known actress and was looking for a project she could get involved in. She loved it and took it to a TV producer, but nothing ever came of it. I mentioned this to Bonnie during our conversation; that is probably why she suggested it in her report.)

So, what now? I will continue writing books two and three as I owe it to my fans for supporting me since the first book was released as a video podcast and then by purchasing my first book when I self-published it. I’m not sure I will be able to afford to self-publish books two and three, but I will release them chapter by chapter from my website. I may even resurrect Gareth Jones from the depths of my computer, but that will take a bit more work. It would help me decide what route to take if you let me know what you would prefer in the comments.

As far as continuing on my voyage to find a production company to adapt Arthur’s Seed into a film or series, I leave that in the lap of the gods.