making a fan film

Over the years, the attitude toward fan films of SF properties has
changed a great deal. The attitude varies between different copyright
holders as well. On one hand, there is the idea that these fan productions
sort of "dilute" the ideas presented in the original properties (this has
long been Paramount's attitude toward Star Trek). On the other is the
important consideration that these fan productions help keep interest in old
properties.

There is nothing stopping anyone from grabbing their camcorder and
making a fan production and showing it to their friends. If you're using
copywritten music and sound effects, things get a little foggier (you're
never supposed to make copies of copywritten works... even under the so
called "fair use" laws). As long as you're not _selling_ the finished work,
or using it as a way to make money somehow there's nothing to prosecute you
for.

I think that the reason that you see so few fan productions of really
"professional" caliber is that anyone who has the technical and artistic
ability to create something truly professional will put that effort towards
something original i.e. something that will be entirely their property.

With technolgy being what it is, it has become easier for even amateurs
to make good looking fan films with a minimum of investment. There is a fan
Doctor Who group called "The Federation" who have been doing fan video for
15 years or so. Their newest productions feature computer generated special
effects, models, even a sort of "film look" to make their camcorder stuff
look a little slicker.

They do sell these videos, but I think that their prices cover media and
duping. Though that's still probably enough of a concern that the BBC could
ask them to stop. I just don't think that the BBC cares too much about
them. Similarly, you'd have to make a pretty big stink before sny of the
UFO copyright holders found out about your efforts and took action.

Then again, there are a few instances where fan productions are included
as extras on some DVD's and are shown at conventions. When there's nothing
new to show, fan based productions fill a necessary void.

Long story short, I don't think that there is any danger in creating a
fan project. I've been very successful in getting big companies to allow be
to use copywritten work when I've made clear what the end use will be, who
te intended audience is, and wht the benefit is to them. I've had instances
where the company gave me to go ahead, provided me with more materials, and
was really enthusiastic about the end production - all wihout costing me a
dime. Just don't expect to ever make a dime off of it.

- Bohus Blahut
(BOH-hoosh BLAH-hoot)

modern filmmaker