TransmediaCreatorsAdaptation

Pitching Graphic Novels for Film & TV: Lessons from The Orangery’s Success

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2026-01-24

10 min read

How to package graphic-novel IP for film/TV deals, using The Orangery’s WME signing as a 2026 playbook — step-by-step pitch, rights, and deck templates.

Turn your graphic novel into a transmedia-ready package — fast

Authors and creators: you’re drowning in long-form work, short on time, and under pressure to turn your graphic novel into a viable film or TV property. The gap between a great comic and a closed deal is rarely artistic — it’s packaging, rights clarity, and marketplace fit. That’s why The Orangery’s recent signing with WME in January 2026 is a roadmap for creators who want to move from pages to screens.

Why The Orangery–WME moment matters (and what it proves)

On Jan 16, 2026 Variety reported that European transmedia IP studio The Orangery, founded by Davide G.G. Caci, signed with WME. The Orangery holds rights to comics and graphic novels like Traveling to Mars and Sweet Paprika — and WME’s pick-up signals a few clear market truths for 2026:

Buyers increasingly favor packaged IP with consolidated rights rather than fragmented, single-format assets.
European and non-English IP is competitive globally when presented with a clear adaptation roadmap.
Agencies and studios are treating graphic novels as transmedia hubs — not just source material for a single film.

Variety (Jan 16, 2026): The Orangery’s WME signing highlights growing agency demand for transmedia-ready graphic novel IP.

The core strategy: package for transmedia before you pitch

Don’t wait for a producer to ask for the hard stuff. If you want interest from agencies like WME or development execs at streamers, show up with a productized IP: clear rights, a visual language, audience data, and a modular adaptation plan for film, TV, games, and audio.

Step-by-step: How to package your graphic novel IP

Consolidate rights up front — Ensure you control or have clear assignments for core rights: audiovisual, sequels/prequels, merchandising, game and interactive, and international. If collaborators (artists, co-writers) are involved, secure written agreements that specify ownership percentages and approval mechanics.
Build a crisp one-line and logline — Your one-liner should be pitchable to an exec in 10 seconds. The logline must outline the protagonist, conflict, stakes, and tone.
Create a 2–4 page series/film bible — Include: high-concept hook, character sketches, world rules, season arcs (for TV), and key visual references. Make it shareable as a PDF.
Prepare visual assets — Moodboards, a 6–12 page cinematic treatment, and 3–5 full-color splash pages or concept posters. Buyers of comics-to-screen content expect cinematic frames that translate to storyboards and key art.
Draft a showrunner or screenplay sample — Even a polished pilot sample (10–20 pages) or a feature treatment proves you understand pacing for the target medium.
Assemble traction metrics — Sales, crowdfunding numbers, social followers, engagement rates, foreign rights sold, reviews, and festival/showcase placements. Contextualize these as comparable audience value for a buyer.
Map adaptation routes — Spell out how the property will work as a feature, limited series, animation, podcast, and game. Provide a prioritized roadmap with timeline estimates. For audio elements, show where you own the field recordings or where you can license them.
Prepare a pitch deck — 12–20 slides: cover, one-line, comps, audience, visual style, characters, season/film arc, episode examples (if TV), budget band, attached talent (if any), and next steps.
Secure chain-of-title documents — Contracts, assignments, releases, and copyright registrations. Buyers will ask; delays on these are fatal to momentum.
Set rights strategy and deal terms — Decide whether to option, sell, or enter a joint-venture production model. Draft model term sheets to speed negotiations.

Pitch deck essentials: a quick blueprint

Your deck is your handshake. Keep it fast, visual, and authoritative.

Slide 1 — One-line + visual: Immediate hook and cinematic image.
Slide 2 — Comp titles: 2–3 comps that locate tone, audience, and budget range.
Slide 3 — The world & tone: Short beats showing stakes and genre mechanics.
Slide 4 — Characters: 3–5 core characters with stakes and arcs.
Slide 5 — Story roadmap: Season arcs or feature three-act map and key set pieces.
Slide 6 — Visual references: Moodboard, key panels, sample storyboard frame.
Slide 7 — Audience & traction: Concrete metrics and endorsements.
Slide 8 — Business terms: Option structure, desired participation, and rights you’re offering.
Slide 9 — Attachments & team: Creator bios, showrunner, any attached director or talent.
Slide 10 — Next steps: Contact, timeline, and ask.

Rights management: the invisible deal-clincher

Invest time in legal clarity before outreach. WME and other top agencies can’t move on properties with unclear chains of title or missing assignments. In 2026, with AI tools complicating authorship and derivative work claims, clean paperwork is more important than ever.

Rights checklist for graphic-novel creators

Copyright registrations for the graphic novel and each contributor’s work.
Written work-for-hire or signed transfer agreements from artists, letterers, and co-creators.
Assignment of audiovisual and merchandising rights (or a clear plan for licensing parts of the portfolio).
Sample model option agreement & term sheet to accelerate offers.
Reversion clauses and minimum development milestones (protects creators over long option terms).
Territory breakdown — retained vs. licensed international rights.

How The Orangery packaged value — practical lessons

Look at what The Orangery did implicitly: founded as a transmedia IP studio, they consolidated rights for multiple properties and presented a portfolio approach rather than a single-title ask. That matters in 2026 for three reasons:

Scale: Agencies want IP that supports multi-year franchises — a single graphic novel is stronger when it sits inside a pipeline of storylines, spin-offs, and format variants.
Cross-border appeal: European IP with clear localization plans is highly salable. The Orangery’s European base plus global rights thinking made it attractive to a U.S. agency like WME.
Transmedia-first framing: By positioning the graphic novels as hubs for audio dramas, games, and merch, they increased perceived value beyond box-office or streaming licensing fees.

Transmedia adaptation roadmaps — film, TV, games, audio

Each medium has different needs. Prepare a short, concrete adaptation plan for each route you want pursued.

Feature film

90–120 page screenplay treatment and a 10–20 page sample scene.
Budget range banding: micro ($2–10M), mid ($10–40M), studio ($40M+).
Suggested directors and visuals; proposed cast archetypes and age ranges.

Limited series / TV

Season arc outlines (6–10 episodes), pilot draft, and episode beat sheets.
Showrunner bios and series bible with long-term roadmap (3–5 seasons).

Games & interactive

Core mechanic, platform (mobile, console, PC), and monetization model.
Prototype wireframes or a simple playable demo if possible — buyers love proof-of-concept (see examples from physical-digital bundles).

Audio & podcasts

Episode outlines for a 6–8 episode season, suggested casting, and a sample script.
Opportunities for serialized audio dramas or companion behind-the-scenes podcasts — and be explicit about any field recording sources you control.

How to approach agents and buyers in 2026

Signing with WME shows the value of strategic representation. If you’re not ready to engage an agency, aim first for a manager or entertainment lawyer who can prep your materials. When approaching agents or execs:

Lead with traction and a packaged ask (option vs. produce vs. JV).
Offer exclusive windows for a limited period (e.g., 120 days) to create urgency.
Be transparent about IP retained and what you are offering to license.

2026 market trends to factor into your pitch

Plan with current market realities in mind — here are the dynamics shaping deals this year:

Selective streaming commissioning: Streamers prioritize IP with built-in engagement and global potential. Show how your property can reach multiple markets.
Demand for modular IP: Buyers want content that can be repurposed across formats. Lay out ancillary revenue potential early.
AI tooling and IP risk: Use AI for concept generation but keep provenance and ownership clear. Buyers will vet AI use in production and creation.
Short-form and platform-first series: Consider short-form spin-offs for platforms like TikTok/YouTube Shorts to build fandom pre-launch.
Global localization: Non-English origin IP is a premium if you prove localization and dubbing/ADR plans.

Metrics that sell — what execs actually ask for

When development teams evaluate IP, they want quantifiable signals:

Units sold (print and digital), and topline revenue.
Social followers and engagement rates over 6–12 months.
Crowdfunding backer counts and average pledge value.
Newsletter open & click-through rates (proves direct audience reach).
Foreign rights and licensing deals already closed.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Creators often sabotage deals without realizing it. Avoid these pitfalls:

Incomplete rights: Missing artist assignments are a deal-killer.
Overly long pitch decks: Keep it tight and visual — execs skim in 60 seconds.
No adaptation roadmap: If you can’t show how your story lives in another medium, buyers downgrade interest.
Unrealistic budget asks: Provide ranges and comps — buyers want credible numbers.

Advanced strategies — increase value before you pitch

Bundle properties: If you have multiple works, present a slate for cross-promotion and franchise building.
Micro-proof content: Produce a 60–90 second proof-of-concept scene or sizzle reel. It’s cheaper than a pilot and often persuasive.
Attach talent early: Even a director or a high-profile illustrator attachment increases perceived value.
Pre-sell foreign rights: Demonstrates international appetite and increases leverage.
Leverage community: Launch community-driven content (fan art contests, Patreon episodes) to show sustained engagement.

Example timeline & budget estimate (realistic baseline)

From finished graphic novel to option offer — a typical timeline if you’re proactive:

Weeks 0–4: Consolidate rights, draft logline, and one-page bible.
Weeks 4–8: Build pitch deck, moodboard, and 2–4 page treatment.
Weeks 8–12: Produce a 60–90s sizzle reel or sample scene (optional).
Weeks 12–20: Outreach to agents, managers, and targeted execs; negotiate term sheet.

Indicative costs (creator-led): legal & contracts ($1k–$5k), deck & art assets ($500–$3k), sizzle reel ($2k–$15k). Costs vary based on scope and geography.

Quick template: 60-second verbal pitch

Use this to open a conversation:

"[One-line]. It’s like [Comp A] meets [Comp B] — we’ve sold X copies, have Y followers, and we’ve packaged audiovisual and gaming rights. We’re seeking an option/development partner to build a limited series with global localization. Can I send a 2-minute deck and 60-second sizzle?"

Final checklist before outreach

One-line, logline, and 3-sentence treatment ready
12–20 slide pitch deck with visual samples
Chain-of-title and signed contributor agreements
Clear rights table (what you own, what you license)
Sample pilot/feature pages or sizzle reel
Metrics and comps sheet

Parting lessons from The Orangery

The Orangery’s WME signing isn’t magic — it’s strategy. By consolidating rights, treating graphic novels as portfolios, and positioning works for multiple formats, they created scalable IP in a market that rewards clarity and versatility. As a creator in 2026, your job is to make your IP easy to buy, simple to adapt, and primed for scale.

Actionable takeaways

Start with rights: get contributor agreements and register copyrights now.
Ship a tight pitch deck and a one-page roadmap for film, TV, and games.
Create a micro-sizzle (60–90s) — it moves deals faster than a 40-page pilot.
Bundle where possible: studios pay for pipelines, not single skirmishes.
Track traction metrics and translate them into buyer-relevant KPIs.

Want the exact templates The Orangery-level teams use?

We built a downloadable Graphic-Novel-to-Screen Pitch Kit with a 12-slide deck template, a model option agreement, a rights checklist, and a 60-second sizzle brief. It includes sample language for reversion clauses and a fillable adaptation roadmap tailored for film, limited series, animation, and games.

Ready to stop hoping and start closing? Download the kit, or subscribe to our weekly creator brief for templates, case studies, and an invitation to monthly live pitch clinics — where we workshop decks and provide direct feedback.

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Senior editor and content strategist. Writing about technology, design, and the future of digital media. Follow along for deep dives into the industry's moving parts.