by Dina Appleton & Daniel Yankelevits Q: I am interested in writing a sequel to someone else’s movie. I was wondering, do I need permission from the original filmmakers, or can I just write the screenplay and market it as one of my own spec scripts? Margaret C., Far Hills, NJ A: Dina Appleton & Daniel Yankelevits respond: [...]
Entertainment Attorney Mark Litwak helps writers navigate the tricky legal issues involved when portraying real life stories with this educational FAQ. …Question: What are the legal issues pertaining to writing a screenplay based on someone’s life story? What rights need to be secured, etc.? Is it advisable to engage an attorney prior to any discussion [...]
by Evan Smith To steal someone’s car, money, parking space - that’s low. But to steal someone’s story? A little made-up tale? A hundred pages of FADE IN here and CUT TO there? Is that even stealing? Um, how can we put this - YES, DAMMIT! It is! Stealing of the worst kind! Because many hours have [...]