“Interesting and sometimes quite brilliant.” – Stephen King

This is how the Master of Horror describes the Dollar Babies, short films made by young filmmakers looking to get their big break in Hollywood. King has been offering this to filmmakers since 1976, with Frank Darabont (Shawshank Redemption) as the biggest success story.

‘Dollar Deal’ is written by Dollar Baby filmmaker Shawn S. Lealos as he tells the story of 19 filmmakers who made it to the big time thanks to the generosity of Stephen King, including interviews with Peter Sullivan (Night Surf), Nick Wauters (Rainy Season), Jeff Schiro (The Boogeyman), Jay Holben (Paranoid), and many more.

Dollar Deal: The Stephen King Dollar Baby Filmmakers

In 2015, I released my book, Dollar Deal: The Stephen King Dollar Baby Filmmakers (BUY IT HERE) and went on to host a pair of Dollar Baby Film Festivals (one in Houston and one in Seattle).

During the two conventions I held screenings at, I realized a lot of people may not know what a Stephen King Dollar Baby film is? As someone who lived in the world of the dollar babies since 1999, this surprised me.

So, what are Stephen King Dollar Baby films and who are the Dollar Baby filmmakers that the program created?

This is the story of The Stephen King Dollar Babies. 

“I believe The Boogeyman was one of the first short films made from his stories. When I decided I wanted to try and make it into a film, I wrote Doubleday Books who owned the rights and eventually heard back. For years, I thought I was the only one who had this dollar deal!” – Jeff Schiro

However, he wasn’t the only one. Just one year later, a young filmmaker named Frank Darabont created The Woman in the Room. Darabont became the most famous Dollar Baby filmmaker of all time.

Darabont might be the first famous filmmaker to receive permission to make a Dollar Baby, but Schiro finished his movie first. There were also several made before them that remain undiscovered to all but Stephen King himself.

King loved Darabont’s movie so much that he gave the director a $1 option to make Shawshank Redemption. Of course, it cost much more than $1 once he made the movie but that film stands the test of time as one of the greatest movies ever made.

What are Stephen King Dollar Baby Films?

The Dollar Baby films are what the title proclaims. Stephen King offers student filmmakers the chance to make a short film based on one of his short stories. He only charges the aspiring filmmakers $1.

 Learn more about what the Dollar Baby films are here.

Articles About Dollar Deal: The Stephen King Dollar Baby Filmmakers

• Oklahoma Gazette article about Dollar Deal: The Story of the Stephen King Dollar Baby Filmmakers
• Interview with author Shawn S. Lealos at Through the Black Hole
• REVIEW: Tony Northrup / Through the Black Hole
• Daily Oklahoman article about Dollar Deal: The Story of the Stephen King Dollar Baby Filmmakers

REVIEWS FOR DOLLAR DEAL: STEPHEN KING DOLLAR BABY FILMMAKERS

“Dollar Deal works because the author gives you insight and a front row seat to how the Dollar Baby process goes. It’s really a great resource guide for anyone out there that wants to tackle and bring to life a Stephen King story.” – Matthew McConkey

“I found this book very entertaining, educational, funny at times, and a true gem to have in my personal Stephen King collection of books and collectibles.” – Tony Northrup

“Dollar Deal belongs in your Stephen King collection. It’s about a part of the Stephen King universe most of us know very little about. – David Squyres

“If you enjoy Stephen King’s deep cuts than you’ve certainly read his prolific volumes of short stories. If you’ve ever imagined how these stories would unfold as short films then consider this book– the perfect primer for Stephen King’s Dollar Babies.” – James Cox

“I have always considered King as the Shakespeare of our times and this book is a great addition to an admirer of his works and how young directors find their own voices and visions with his spark.” –Mikhail Tank

“Great book for an indie film fan, horror fan or Stephen King fan. Talks of fandom, filming and festivals. Each chapter interviews a different filmmaker on their experience making a DB film. Gives a lot of great info. on trials and tribulations of indie filmmaking in a small amount of space.” – Christophe Murdock

“While I respect and like Stephen King, I’m by no means a huge fan. What I am a fan of is the creative process and Shawn S. Lealos’ book dives right in with engaging interviews and insight that will pull you in from start to finish. Shawn even shares his own journey through the Dollar Baby process and I found it riveting.” – Steve Gustafson

Chapter Listing for Dollar Deal: The Stephen King Dollar Baby Filmmakers

Click on the links below to learn more about each of the individual Stephen King Dollar Baby Filmmakers.

1. Introduction
2. Frank Darabont, The Woman in the Room
3. Jeff Schiro, The Boogeyman
4. Jim Gonis, The Lawnmower Man
5. James Cole, The Last Rung on the Ladder
6. “The Good and Bad of Film Adaptation” by James Cole
7. Jay Holben, Paranoid
8. Shawn S. Lealos, I Know What You Need
9. Doveed Linder, Strawberry Spring
10. Peter Sullivan, Night Surf
11. Robert Cochrane, Lucky Quarter
12. Nick Wauters, Rainy Season
13. James Renner, All That You Love Will Be Carried Away
14. James Cox, Grey Matter
15. Mikhail Tank, My Pretty Pony and Willa
16. Rodney Altman, Umney’s Last Case
17. Juan Pablo Reinoso, Flowers For Norma (based on The Man Who Loved Flowers)
18. Warren Ray, Maxwell Edison (based on The Man Who Loved Flowers)
19. J.P. Scott, Everything’s Eventual
20. Derek Simon, A Very Tight Place
21. Damon Vinyard, In the Deathroom