Legal ins and outs of adapting works for puppets

[Dagger Claws]

I've been wanting to adapt several folktales from a book that was published a few years ago into a anthology puppet show. The book has several stories in it, and I wanted to adapt 3 or 4 for the show. My question is, would I need to obtain the author's permission to use these folktales in my show? Even though he has written them down into a book and I'd like to use his situations and dialogue, is the fact that they are folktales make a difference on whether or not his or his publisher's permission is needed?

If anyone can help out with this please do, because I'd like to know the ins and outs of adaptating and the legal stipluations with plays, stories, and published work into plays for puppetry.

Take care,
Marc

 

[Buck-Beaver]

Well, assuming the folktales are traditional ones you could make a show based on them. You can't use the author's particular intrepretation of the folktales or specific situations and dialogue without permission.

The best thing to do is contact the publisher. Call them and explain you're interested in a literary adaptation (for children's theatre) of some of the book and ask how to proceed. Normally you have to write or fax a letter explaining what you want to do and the publisher or author will respond. They'll either refuse to grant permission or set terms. Usually this involves some kind of licensing fee as well as a percentage of the money you make from each show.

This sounds pretty involved, but most publishers and authors are pretty cool about this kind of thing...as long as you respect their rights. Emphasize that it's a children's show and regional in nature. That often can help to keep the fees down.

Licensing can cost anywhere from $1,000 - $10,000 + royalties. Occasionally an author will make a deal and give you rights for free and just want royalties but that's pretty rare, especially if you are not esthablished. It might be easier to just invent your own thing.