Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Preview/film Material Rights?

This is topic Preview/film Material Rights? in forum Ground Level at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://ft-forum.com/ft/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=5;t=002159

Posted by Andrew Bangs (Member # 4938) on 01-12-2009, 01:14 AM:

I had an odd thought the other day of trying to construct something (I don't want to give it away as it may be my million dollar Idea... or not) out of old previews. Now I am not going to use them in a way for which they were intentionally intended. Nor will you ever be able to see a particular frame clearly to know what it even was. I just want to use the mass of it to create a "sculpture" of sorts. Do you think their could be any legal ramifications to this as in from the studios? In theory I could do the same thing with blank film as with printed film however blank costs and the old printed stuff is either thrown out or recycled. I am in essence just recycling it in a different manor.

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 01-12-2009, 01:47 AM:

I've seen holiday wreaths and dress ties made out of scrap film.

I don't think you'd have any problem with this invention you're coming up with since it won't be presented on any screen anymore.

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 01-12-2009, 09:26 AM:

I had a cool idea once to make bookmarks out of old film. Just print the theatre name and phone number on the paper, add the film, laminate and cut-up to mkae cool bookmarks. But I never persued the idea due to

1. It was a lot of work

2. I feared the copyright issues

3. I keep hearing that nobody reads anymore anyway

Posted by Andrew Bangs (Member # 4938) on 01-12-2009, 09:42 PM:

quote: Mike Blakesley
3. I keep hearing that nobody reads anymore anyway

That's right they are all at the movies. [Big Grin]

My only issue would be copyright but again I don't think I have to worry as well since the film won't be viewable.

The bookmark was a friend of mines Idea as well but there you might get into trouble because you can see the performers faces and they might get touchy about you making money off their likeness. Then again they might not care one bit... You never know! Actually they will probably care when you make a million or two off of them.

Posted by Robert LaValley (Member # 4319) on 01-13-2009, 01:09 AM:

You could ask a copyright lawyer. Most are pretty happy to help in a way some for no fee some with minimal fee because in the end the hopes is that you would use them for representation to copyright whatever you make, and so on..

Its like the artists who used cars as sculptures. you know its a buick but did they get the rights to that buick??? get what I mean..?

Posted by James Westbrook (Member # 3690) on 01-13-2009, 03:07 AM:

One year, to decorate under the theatre lobby's Christmas tree, one of the employees wrapped up empty boxes to look like wrapped gifts using one sheet posters and used film (old trailers) as ribbon. It looked cool.
None of us thought about copyrights or the like. We didn't get in trouble either.

Posted by John Hawkinson (Member # 1135) on 01-13-2009, 03:54 PM:

No one's going to complain about your using old onesheets or trailers for in-theatre art displays. It's a non-issue.

If you're going to be selling a product or distributing them en masse in some way, studios might start to care.

--jhawk

Posted by Martin McCaffery (Member # 37) on 01-13-2009, 04:33 PM:

It's been a while since I've read the small print, but IIRC the posters and trailers are the property of the film companies and must be either returned or disposed of. If the "theatre" disposes of the material and "you" then retrieve it, all property considerations are taken care of. If you are not using the materials for their intended purpose, you are probably safe under copyright fair use. The situation is similar to a magazine seller tearing the front off of old magazines rather than return them and then using the destroyed mags to make collages.

As always, consult someone who knows, and don't mess with Disney.

Posted by Andrew Bangs (Member # 4938) on 01-13-2009, 10:16 PM:

quote: Martin McCaffery
don't mess with Disney.

Very Wise!

I will try and check with a copyright lawyer before I go any further.

Thanks all.

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 01-13-2009, 11:32 PM:

Since in your original post you say that it would be hard to tell what a frame contains, why not use the 'credit sequence' of an old print?

Or, use a "scope" trailer for an obscure title from a film company that's out of business and you'll never have a problem.

If you stay away from animation, it'll be almost impossible to tell what's on the film, I would guess.

Posted by Joe Tommassello (Member # 4632) on 01-14-2009, 03:50 PM:

If you can't clearly see what's on the frame they won't be able to tell what it was anyway. I say use any piece of film you want and don't worry about it.

Posted by Andrew Bangs (Member # 4938) on 01-14-2009, 06:30 PM:

I just need allot of film and I do mean alot like 10 full reels worth and yes before you ask we do have that much plus more lying around. They never throw anything out. I am going to go for it and when I am done I will post a pic. (if it works) now I just have to convince the owner he won't be liable for the film. Hmmmmm.... I may yet get something in writing from a lawyer...

Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 01-14-2009, 06:51 PM:

If you want a large quantity of cheap film with picture, order "picture sound fill" from an editing supply house (e.g. Christy's in Burbank, CA.). You can get it in 16mm or 35mm and it will be cheap. It will usually have a big scratch down the center of the picture, but is otherwise fine. It is generally lab reject film or weird stuff like American TV shows with Spanish soundtracks. For an "art project," it would be fine, and would have no rights or ownership issues.

Posted by Andrew Bangs (Member # 4938) on 01-15-2009, 10:23 AM:

Thanks for that info but right now instead of cheep it's free although the no hassle part may make up for that but then their is shipping to consider. If this falls through with my boss however I will look into your suggestion. Thanks again for the info.

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 01-22-2009, 03:15 PM:

No worries. I actually know someone who used to do this. You're not reproducing it or projecting it. It's just tactile material.