How do you successfully adapt podcasts, games, and books for screen? Learn key takeaways from the hit Production Lot webinar, From IP to Screen, featuring Nikki Boyer, Dmitri Johnson, Mike Goldberg, and Rebecca Green.
Dying for Sex (FX/HULU)
Every great idea starts with a spark—and many stem from something that already exists: a podcast, a game, a novel, or even a true, lived story.
That’s the foundation of intellectual property (IP)—creative material that already carries an audience and a world producers can build from. Working with IP isn’t easier than starting from scratch; it’s more deliberate, and far more delicate because it means protecting the essence that made the content matter in the first place.
A candid look at the journey from IP to screen
Hundreds of filmmakers, writers, and producers from across the globe joined The Production Lot webinar, From IP to Screen, to hear firsthand how top producers navigate the complex journey from idea to adaptation.
The conversation tackled the full journey—how to identify strong IP, secure rights, navigate production hurdles, and translate existing worlds for new audiences—through the lens of producers who’ve done it successfully across every medium.
Moderated by Diana Mogollón (CEO, Rideback Rise), this discussion featured Nikki Boyer (Dying for Sex), Rebecca Green (It Follows), and Story Kitchen co-founders, Mike Goldberg and Dmitri Johnson (Sonic the Hedgehog, Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft). Each came to the table from a different corner of the industry—podcasting, independent film, gaming and talent representation—but they all echoed a single truth: Authenticity is everything.
What followed is an unfiltered look at how these producers find the right stories, earn trust with rights holders, and protect creative integrity while bringing beloved IP to life.
Why are IP projects so sought after?
To kick off the conversation, Dmitri Johnson summed it up simply: “There are so many distractions today—so many ways you’re competing for eyeballs. As someone who loves original stories, it’s just harder to get people in seats for something new. But when you tap into a story people already know, something that meant something to them growing up, that connection matters.” Rebecca Green added, “[IP] opens up a bigger well of ideas,” and not having to wait on the right story to land on your desk allows producers to be proactive. She reinforced Dmitri’s sentiment, “You can seek out stories that really matter to you.”
Lessons learned in getting to greenlight
Story Kitchen was built on the foundation of DJ2 Entertainment, the company Dmitri Johnson launched fifteen years ago with a clear mission: to prove that video game adaptations could succeed when handled with respect and understanding.
At the time, Hollywood had little interest in gaming IP, dismissing it as unadaptable after a string of poorly performing titles. As Mike Goldberg explained it, the real issue wasn’t the source material—it was the lack of literacy among the people making greenlight decisions. So, he and Johnson waited for a new generation of executives; decision-makers who had grown up playing games and saw them as complex storytelling vehicles rather than niche entertainment.DJ2 built its reputation on long-term relationships, authenticity, and trust—principles that ultimately persuaded Sega to collaborate on what became a decade-long journey to bring Sonic the Hedgehog to the big screen. They also pushed back against the ‘smash-and-grab’ culture of producers who option and abandon rights without care for the creators, fans, and communities behind them. When the film premiered in 2020, weeks before the pandemic closed theaters worldwide, it became a critical and commercial success—proving that fan passion could be a foundation rather than a liability.
Today, Mike and Dmitri carry the same philosophy forward through Story Kitchen. Mike says, “We are authentic. We are genuine. We are passion-first, and we are inclusive. And that is how we start building a new movie or TV show.” That care extends beyond IP to the people behind it: the developers, writers, and fan communities who bring each story to life.
Sonic the Hedgehog (Paramount)
When life writes the script: Turning grief into purpose
When Nikki Boyer’s best friend, Molly, was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, everything changed. Instead of retreating, Molly leaned into life. She ended an unhappy marriage and chose to live life on her own terms. For Nikki, witnessing that transformation sparked something she couldn’t ignore.
What began as a personal coping mechanism became a creative journey that would span nearly a decade. First, the two friends turned Molly’s personal blog into a Wondery podcast—recording raw, unfiltered conversations about love, loss, and living fully. The recordings were shaped into a powerful six-part series that resonated with millions—eventually inspiring an Emmy-nominated FX adaptation.
Nikki’s story echoed what every panelist said in their own way: the work only sustains you if it matters to you, and success isn’t guaranteed. But her conviction to tell stories that mean something, no matter how long the road, is what turned Dying for Sex into a movement of creative purpose.
Where does she find fresh inspiration? “A lot of new projects start in my DMs,” she admitted with a laugh. “People share their stories of transformation, loss, and second chances. You never know which one will be the next ‘yes.’”
Curiosity and intent go a long way
For producer Rebecca Green, operating without the safety net of studio development money means every project begins as a leap of faith. As she shared her journey producing independent films, Rebecca emphasized that trust is a producer’s greatest currency. She said, “Find something you love, build it out, and prove why it deserves to exist.” She also described production as inherently entrepreneurial—every project is a startup in its own right. Every project requires persistence, resourcefulness, curiosity, and conviction. “When something speaks to me, there are ways to check if the rights are available,” she explained. For example, “...most [authors] have a website. You can email their manager directly and just ask.”
Rebecca’s simple, hands-on approach has led to some of her most rewarding collaborations. Years ago, she was preparing for a meeting with an author whose book she’d fallen in love with. The reason she ultimately won the project? She’d actually read the book. “The day before [my meeting with the author], their agent said, ‘Well, you've read [the book], right?’ And I'm like, yeah! I've read it three times.” Her genuine connection to the story made all the difference. She said, “When you can express why you really love someone else’s story—and why they can trust you with it—that’s a superpower.”
Instead of chasing “hot” IP, Rebecca looks for stories that have been recognized but not overexposed; those that may have literary acclaim but aren’t on Hollywood’s radar. She recently took that approach, using a National Book Award–winning young adult novel as inspiration. “It didn’t end up getting made as a series,” she said, “but it got all the way through a pilot for Amazon—and that’s a win.”
It Follows (RADiUS-TWC)
The heart of every great production
Working with IP isn’t just adaptation; it’s preservation of the narratives that define who we are. While each producer shared their path, a few key themes rang out loud and clear:
- Act with grit, don’t wait for perfect conditions.
- Practice patience and persistence; meaningful projects take time.
- Trust that good IP never dies and know that timing is everything.
- Tune out the noise and protect your relationships.
Moderator Diana Mogollón captured it best: “Entertainment and Hollywood are shifting every quarter, every day, every week. So go back to the village—trust your partners, talk it through, and stress-test the game of chess.” Her words tied all the experiences shared throughout the webinar together: In a business defined by change, lean on the one constant: your community.
Keep the Conversation Going
From IP to Screen is available on-demand now. If this topic speaks to you, dive into the whole conversation, it’s filled with insights and observations every creative should hear.
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