Ok, so a scene of mine calls for a toy to be trampled on by one of the characters as he is walking through a yard. Well, this toy happens to be a Star Wars figurine. So, is there any chance of getting permission from Lucas to do this? If so, what normally is the process? Also, is there a site, place, or book I can refer to for release forms and contracts for the cast/crew? Thanks in advance for any info offered.
anyone out there??????
seems like there are only 5 people on this site..including me :O(
You're never going to hear back from Lucas Arts. And if you somehow did the answer would simply be "No." Find a generic toy with no branding.
And for future reference, it occasionally takes more than a day for people to answer your question, depending on how many people know the answer.
Five people? Some people are active in film production, others are actively keeping a roof over their heads! So don?t be surprised if you questions aren?t answered instantaneously, I'm a part of a couple of other forums and can assure you that this is the most responsive of the three.
With regards to your question though, Is the figure vital to the narrative of your film?
Cleary.
www.myspace.com/b31_film_productions
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Oh and with regards to the release forms (Contracts) you can always download them from different film resources (I'll have a look for one for you), but personally I would recommend that you get help from a media agent who best knows how to word the release form as you don?t want to go to all the trouble of having them sign to you, what you believe to be the legal rights, only to discover that your release form is worthless because it was either misleading or missed a vital clause.
Cleary.
www.myspace.com/b31_film_productions
www.youtube.com/yoursayvideos
I cant see how the toy needs to be star wars becasuse if it was part of the story then you would be asking if you needed rights to use star wars name in your films. As i take it the stars wars brand isnt important just use a generic brand. Also i very much dount Lucas films will reply and like DaveD said if they do it will probally be a no.
Do you plan to release this film or show it to the public or at festivals because if you do go with the generic option but if this is just for you/family then i dont think it really matters if you use a star wars toy - im not sure though i dont know that much about this legal side. No doubt CI will have something to say that will help.
Rob - UK
Rob - UK
Thank you all for the responses. In regards to my comment about a few people being here I don't expect my questions to be answered immediately. I just have been browsing this site for a little while now and have noticed that there are maybe a few names on here that seem to be responding to everyones questions. Just thought there were more active users, thats all. But anyways, the Star Wars figurine is not vital but more so just a way to pay homage to the film that started it all for me and for many others. Since I plan on showing the film in festivals I would most definitely try and get permission if at all possible. Now, is it for certain that Lucas Arts will say no? Has anyone tried or heard of someone trying to do this? Thanks again everyone for the replies.
Do you actually need to get permision to use the toy in your film?
It seems a bit weird to me since it would not be saying or doing anything would it?
Personally I couldnt see a majour player like him taking legal action due to some thing as trivial as this?
But like all things film related, its better safe than sorry.
In any case I can see what your saying with regards to the people answering the questions, how ever I value their opinions regardless of a mass of people contributing.
Cleary.
www.myspace.com/b31_film_productions
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yes i agree with you cleary surely the line has to be drawn somewhere otherwise you will have to be asking permission to film when a burger king is in the background for 2 seconds or a bic biro is on a desk. I think only if the product is important to the script and is used alot.
Rob - UK
Rob - UK
quote:
Originally posted by Cleary
Do you actually need to get permision to use the toy in your film?
It seems a bit weird to me since it would not be saying or doing anything would it?Personally I couldnt see a majour player like him taking legal action due to some thing as trivial as this?
But like all things film related, its better safe than sorry.
In any case I can see what your saying with regards to the people answering the questions, how ever I value their opinions regardless of a mass of people contributing.
Cleary.
www.myspace.com/b31_film_productions
well the toy will laugh when stepped on...we were planning on using Salacious Crumb as the character. Its sort of an inside joke the writer and I have with that specific character but like I previously said I thought it would be nice to pay homage to Lucas..thats all...but if its too much trouble then of course I will have to use something else.
The only problem I see would be the stepping on the character(I don't mean I personally would have a problem but you never know with lawyers).
There shouldn't be a problem if the toy is just sitting there. Off the top of my head, think of the scene in the toy store in the movie "Big." I highly doubt that Penny Marshall had to get release forms from every toy that was shown in that film. Or even "E.T." or "That 70's Show" which both show many Star Wars toys being played with by characters. (I suppose E.T. is a bad example since I can't imagine George Lucas saying no to Speilberg since they work together and are good friends but I digress)
I honestly think you will be fine as long as your not using the toy as part of some evil ritual or snorting cocaine off of it, but in the litigious age we live in, I guess you never can be too careful.
i agree 100% with Moviemagicman. you cannot ask permission for every little thing that is in your movie otherwise your never gona get anything done. By what you have said i say just go for it, i cant see why you would have any problems and writing to lucusfilms is just wasting your time. good luck
Rob - UK
Rob - UK
Well, I'm so tempted to do it but I would hate to have the hammer thrown down on me and prevent my film from being exhibited. So, I think I will at least try and see if I can get permission. If not, its probably not worth the potential headache.
quote:
Originally posted by MovieMagicMan
The only problem I see would be the stepping on the character(I don't mean I personally would have a problem but you never know with lawyers).There shouldn't be a problem if the toy is just sitting there. Off the top of my head, think of the scene in the toy store in the movie "Big." I highly doubt that Penny Marshall had to get release forms from every toy that was shown in that film. Or even "E.T." or "That 70's Show" which both show many Star Wars toys being played with by characters. (I suppose E.T. is a bad example since I can't imagine George Lucas saying no to Speilberg since they work together and are good friends but I digress)
I honestly think you will be fine as long as your not using the toy as part of some evil ritual or snorting cocaine off of it, but in the litigious age we live in, I guess you never can be too careful.
On a different note: I was once given some really cood advice by an industry professional at a talk. Where by he adviced that its best not to tell inside jokes as with the exception of the neich of people who will understand it, the majourity of your audience will miss the point or even feel alienated! Which you dont really want, as a filmmakers our films should ideally be about our audience.
Cleary.
www.myspace.com/b31_film_productions
www.youtube.com/yoursayvideos
quote:
Originally posted by Cleary
quote:
Originally posted by MovieMagicMan
The only problem I see would be the stepping on the character(I don't mean I personally would have a problem but you never know with lawyers).There shouldn't be a problem if the toy is just sitting there. Off the top of my head, think of the scene in the toy store in the movie "Big." I highly doubt that Penny Marshall had to get release forms from every toy that was shown in that film. Or even "E.T." or "That 70's Show" which both show many Star Wars toys being played with by characters. (I suppose E.T. is a bad example since I can't imagine George Lucas saying no to Speilberg since they work together and are good friends but I digress)
I honestly think you will be fine as long as your not using the toy as part of some evil ritual or snorting cocaine off of it, but in the litigious age we live in, I guess you never can be too careful.
On a different note: I was once given some really cood advice by an industry professional at a talk. Where by he adviced that its best not to tell inside jokes as with the exception of the neich of people who will understand it, the majourity of your audience will miss the point or even feel alienated! Which you dont really want, as a filmmakers our films should ideally be about our audience.
Cleary.
www.myspace.com/b31_film_productions
Good point! But I think the way I am planning the scene I think the audience would understand my joke just as Family Guy and Robot Chicken have successfully done so as well. I get what you're saying though. Thanks
