Joel Gotler
Literary Manager | Producer
Intellectual Property Group - Stone Village Pictures
TVFilmRights.com has the rare opportunity to share a fun
conversation with Mr. Joel Gotler, perhaps one of the Industry’s
most respected and omnipresent Literary Managers and Producers
of book-to-screen adaptations for film and television. As head
of the Intellectual Property Group (IPG), he represents an
extensive slate of award-winning written properties that have
been produced as critically acclaimed projects for film and
television. Some of the projects he has brought to fruition and
represents, include; “L.A. Confidential”, “The Black Dahlia”,
“Angela’s Ashes”, “The Untouchables”, “Chocolat”, “The House of
Sand and Fog”, “Dangerous Minds”, and “Indecent Proposal”, as
well as countless other notables.IPG’s production arm, Stone Village Pictures, led by Mr. Gotler, is currently in development and pre-production on numerous feature films, including “Rififi”, starring Al Pacino, and directed by Harold Becker (“One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest”). Also on deck is the adaptation of New York Times Bestseller, “True Believer” by Nicholas Sparks (“The Notebook”).
A veteran of the industry, he provides a surprising bit of advice for screenwriters, and shares his thoughts on why audiences are addicted to films based on true stories.
TVFilmRights.com: Joel, we’re very excited to have this time with you. You’re a legend in the arena of intellectual property adaptation for Film and TV, and you’ve built what has become a cornerstone of the industry with the formation of IPG and Stone Village Pictures, bringing critically acclaimed novels and other IP’s to market, and delivering award winning film and television projects as an end product. From your start in the industry, and on your path to your current success, what has been the greatest challenge you’ve faced in creating your business? And the greatest victory?
JG: Survival!
TVFR: One word says it all. I like that. How did you get your start in the industry? At what point did you really find your niche in literary management?
JG: I began in the mail room at what was once called the William Morris Agency (now William Morris Endeavor). I found my niche when I got to Hollywood (a long story in itself). I answered a blind ad in Variety Magazine which led to an interview, which turned into a career. I was hired by a legendary Hollywood literary agent named H.N. Swanson, and that gave me my “spot” in the industry.
TVFR: Can you detail the current focus of IPG? Are there any specific genres you tend to gravitate toward, or is it more to do with branding potential that draws you to a particular project?
JG: I am focused on how the publishing industry is changing in view of electronic books and also on how the film side of the industry and the book side and interactive game side are all amalgamating…We gravitate toward what the market place desires. Right now in Hollywood family entertainment is what’s hot, although our tastes run across-the-board. A branded project is great, but we’d rather help create the brand!
TVFR: As you know, not all bestsellers translate well into film. Is there something you recognize that tells you a particular novel would play out well on screen? Is it a creative instinct you have, or a formula you see?
JG: After all this time, I have a bloodhound’s nose for what is salable.
TVFR: You work intimately with writers in various mediums. Do you think some people make better novelists than screenwriters? Is there a fundamental difference in the art?
JG: There is such a difference in the art/craft that I don’t even know how to explain it. The idea I try to convey to novelists when asked what the difference is, is “the camera.” However, there are novelists who can do both, but they are the exception not the rule.
TVFR: Can you share with us one specific project you’ve developed during your career (or being developed) that may be your greatest point-of-pride, and why?
JG: If I talked about any one project, my 50 other clients would want to know “why not ours?” I love what I do- let me put it that way.
TVFR: Your life and career have been immersed in examining “story”… Is truth stranger than fiction?
JG: Truth is so much stranger than fiction, especially from people who make up tall tales! But, when you get a great non fiction story that is proven to be true, it’s a lot of fun to watch people (Producers) come after it.
TVFR: What do you feel may be a reason that audiences gravitate so strongly to films “based on a true story”?
JG: They love the ability to identify with someone on an emotional level. Especially if there is triumph and/or redemption in the story. How many people can relate to James Bond in that way?
TVFR: Is there any amazing true story or subject that has yet to be told on screen, that you’d love to see come to life?
JG: The Moe Berg story. The producers have been working on it for 25 years!
TVFR: When we look at life story rights for adaptation in film, does that person or subject need to already be a household name? Is it different in film versus television?
JG: Not a household name- but ripped from the headlines, so to speak. There is a difference. In television the need is for fairly current true stories, but in film it doesn’t matter.
TVFR: How has New Media affected your business as it operates? Is it a beneficial outlet for any of your properties, or are you strictly focused on theatrical distribution?
JG: New Media is making us more diverse, making us think more creatively, making us use our intelligence to plan ahead for our clients and ourselves. And, it is allowing us to network more with interesting people.
TVFR: Where do you see IPG expanding over the next five years? Any unique agendas?
JG: I think we have a good size team and probably will keep it that way for some time. The only unique agenda for next year is that I will take a 2 week vacation.
TVFR: During which, I’d bet you’ll still be reading material! A little fun- If a biography were written about you, what would the title be?
JG: How I Survived the Cuckoo’s Nest and Lived to Tell About It!
TVFR: What advice can you give to the aspiring Screenwriter, related to selling projects?
JG: Write books! Many, many more books are made into films than original screenplays.
TVFR: Any thoughts you’d like to share with publishers selling their book sub-rights? Any mandate to pass along?
JG: “Lock all the doors, help is on the way!”
TVFR: Thanks for the fun chat Joel. Best of success with your new projects!
JG: Bless you!
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