So I am filming a movie, the script is completely made up, events that happen in the script are made up. But the story is something I have heard about to happen in real life. So is there any legal issue I might encounter if in the promotional materials I will write " based on a true story ", do I need any legitimate prove that this has really happened or I could write that about any believable story. How is it regulated?
Base on a true story - when can I use
- Thread starter Levan Bakhia
- Start date
It's not regulated in any way. See Fargo or The Blair Witch Project.
To cover yourself, it's wise to include a disclaimer at the end of the movie stating that it is a work of fiction and any similarity to actual persons or events is coincidental and unintentional.
To cover yourself, it's wise to include a disclaimer at the end of the movie stating that it is a work of fiction and any similarity to actual persons or events is coincidental and unintentional.
Yes, similarity is another issue. But what I am interested is if I write that something is base on a true story, but if it is not actually based on true story. I mean I need to market it as "based on a true story", but it is not based on one. Any problems you see there?
Other than you are telling a lie, there is no "legal" problem.
No law enforcement agency will ask to see any legitimate
proof.
Using Fargo as an example - it wasn't marketed as a true story.
Blair Witch was and they got away with it. In fact their marketing
was very, very successful.
Agreed! Unless you're doing Blair Witch type marketing. Otherwise I too am curious as to why
