Legal Fictions

Posted on April 15, 2009 in Contracts and Law | No Comments

Eric M. Greenfield of Flowtv discusses the real legal facts filmmakers and producers must consider for “Based On a True Story” dramas and “Reality TV.”

…Based on a true story.” “Inspired by actual events.” “The [insert name of real person here] story.” Well, maybe.

Networks love to market a telefilm’s roots in actual events and real people. A production can be more compelling when the audience believes that the story really took place. Never mind that the films often depart so far from the events that inspired them as to better be considered fiction. Verisimilitude is rarely a goal. Entertainment always is.

— Flowtv.org | Read The Full Article