Lit agent Claire Lundberg came to the defense of the U.S. studios during a debate on the books-to-TV business here in Edinburgh this morning.
Lundberg, CEO and founder of Paris-based CTL Scouting, said, “American studios get dinged for buying a lot and not making a whole lot,” but that this didn’t always reflect the reality. Writers or preferred producers being unavailable, or debates with the work’s author are among the issues that can slow down development after an option, she said, adding: “It’s like pushing jello up a hill.” Talking on a panel about literary IP here at the Edinburgh TV Festival this morning, Lundberg said that between “40-50%” of everything on television is adapted from existing IP, even with prices rising massively over recent years.
Hilary Strong , CEO of International Literary Properties, concurred, saying: “In a difficult market, having titles and authors does help to elevate a pitch. It gives commissioners something tangible. Taking raw work that’s had an extraordinary life before it into a commissioner gives confidence to that pitch, in this current market that is where people are nervous.
The past few years has seen an explosion of book adaptations in TV through the likes of Nine Perfect Strangers and Slow Horses , but Lundberg noted that they can only be successful if the development process is followed properly, and that commissioners are beginning to look for quicker turnaround projects. “Book IP can be a great way of bui.