I had the Idea to create a sitcom based on a famous film. The main character, instead of heading off to his destiny, chickens out and goes to work in a pub instead.
Meanwhile, the film storyline has changed, so lots of things happen based on him not doing what he should have done.
I know I will need to change names to protect the innocent, and stop me being sued, but what can I get away with regards to plot points from the film?
Hope this makes sense
Ross
Hard to tell from this description what you mean. Can you amplify?
But if you're relying on audiences to realise the divergences from the film line (in a parody fashion but subverting their expectations) then disguising it would defeat the object.
Sort of like-ish the Life of Brian?
This basically sounds like a spoof or a parody so you have quite a big scope. It sounds like you will recreate storylines and then have a different spin on it.
I immediately think of the fabulous French & Saunders spoof of Misery which stuck pretty close to the original premise but only as an outline.
As long as all the characters act differently from the originals it should be ok, if they act like they did in the movie but just the circumstances changed then you are creating a spin-off which would need permission.
Re: Danny's point. Yep but then 'Life of Brian' worked because we were aware of the parallels and subverting of similar events from another person's well-known life. If had been made as a standalone that drew on no parallels to any figure in history then certain of the jokes wouldn't have worked (or even been included) because there would have nothing to 'compare' to.
If, Rosco, you're going for parody then the audience has to 'get' your source. And if your audience gets it then so will the team of prosecution lawyers if you fall foul of anything. Can you tell us if we're in the right area?
ContainsNuts is in the right ball park re: parody. I think certain flexibility is allowed. As to how much?
I was thinking what would happen if Luke and Obi Wan got to Mos Eisley Cantina and Luke decided to take a job at the bar instead of destroying the empire. You'd have a sitcom that would be a cross between cheers and red dwarf. In the background, the world would be falling apart because the death star was never destroyed etc.
I think it could be funny, but I'm too scared of what George Lucas would do to me.
Ooh, that might be a problem. It's a great idea but characters are copyrighted. If Skywalker is Skywalker rather than a parody then it's copyright issues. There would have to be divergence.
You could make him a twin? Or even ask Lucas through his agent?
How about finding a point earlier where Luke was picked *instead* of your main character due to some ridiculous quirk (ie he fell over and lost his place in line) and from there 'the other guy' (Luke) got his break and your guy ended up in the bar? Then your bloke could keep seeing him at times and track his career that way. Maybe.
Dan
Hey Ross,
The premise sounds really similar to My Life In Film which starred Kris Marshall.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/mylifeinfilm/
It was okay but where the concept fell down was all the humour came from having knowledge about the particular movie they were parodying that episode. Therefore if you had never seen Fellini's 8 1/2 (and I would say most people haven't) the gags would go over your head.