I'll have NUN OF THIS!! Local film company steals other local company's plot...

M1chae1

M1chae1

Hello IT folk...

Just wanted to give you the low down on a down right low blow. Just caught wind of some dirty film related information. You know how they say imitation is the best form of flattery...well, you can toss that out the window when it comes to movie IPs...there ARE rules ya know!

Apparently a local film company has posted a casting breakdown for a film involving nuns that take on inner city mercenaries...sound familiar? Damn right it does, that's a complete rip-off of Scorpio Film Releasing's recent action comedy NUN OF THAT.

Sacrilege!!!

This just isn't right, in any form of the idea. NUN OF THAT isn't even out yet (its national release is January 12th)...to steal this obviously unique idea is blasphemy! :)

Now, I know there are other 'nunsploitation' films that have been made...but come on...another local film doing it within the same year of NUN OF THAT's release? There's no denying the bullocks of this relation.

I say CRUCIFY THEM!

FYI--here is the casting notice below:

--------------------------------------------

Thy Kill Be Done is the tale of one badass habit of nuns who are
forced to exact their murderous vengeance on a group of inner city thugs who kill the Monsignor of St. Catherine's Church.
We are holding a casting call for all roles! We are looking for
actresses ages 18-35 for the nuns, actors ages 18-25 for the gang, and
actors ages 22-40 for the Monsignor and Scratch, the head gang leader.
Contact Details: Greg Hanson Ghanson@isfilms.org


--------------------------------------------------

Am I just being paranoid? Me thinks not. And what do YOU guys think about it? Is there room (or a place for) legal action here?

(for those that haven't heard of NUN OF THAT on these boards yet--here is the trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5yBfouKhXw)

Thanks.
 
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Sounds like the same movie, although your puns are far better than "thy kill be done." LAME. If I were SFR's attorney I would send a cease-and-desist letter before the auditions are held, which might frighten Hanson into choosing another script.
 
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That sounds suspiciously similar, yah.

Go to the audition - they'll hook you up with the script (or at least some sides), and if you land the part you'll be an insider!

I'd let them spend lots of money on pre-prod before shutting them down, but that's just 'cos I'm petty. :blush:

So yah, go to the auditions to get more proof, and nail 'em if warranted. :)
 
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Since that idea/storyline isn't something that can
be copyrighted I don't see how anyone can have
them shut down. If their script is the same one you
used - or legally close enough - you can sue for
damages - if you can prove damages. You may be
able to get a "cease and desist" order, but again,
only if a judge determines that the script is remarkably
similar to yours.

That will take years and a lot of money.

But I get the feeling you aren't after legal advice - you
just want to vent.

I saw a movie at a festival two years ago about mercenary
nuns called "Old Habits Die Hard". Several years ago I did
some pyro efx for a movie about three nuns who picked
up automatic weapons in order to save their church from
a local gang. I don't remember the name of it but I know
"Brain Damage" picked it up. Maybe I can find it. And I saw
a casting notice in the local L.A. paper about a "hot young
nun" enacting revenge after the rape of her fellow sister.
Called "Dirty Habits" they pitched it as a "modern grindhouse
action comedy".

Again, I know this isn't what you want to hear (or why you
posted) but this idea of nuns with guns isn't original to you.
There is room for many different versions of that idea. The
supernatural element in yours seems to set you apart from
the others I've seen or heard about.

I have a very different take than the others. Rather than try
to shut them down, offer to help. Your group sure has a lot
of talent. These are fellow filmmakers trying to make their
way in this crazy business. What can you do to support them?
 
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Great take on things Rik...I appreciate the insight.

As I said in my original post, 'nunsploitation' is definitely a genre I know exists...it's just not too cool to me (or the director) to ride the habit-tails of a local film before it's even officially released.

But hey...I like your idea too--about helping out. Nice of you to be so positive and communal.

I realize I'm just being dramatic in my OP...and yes I'm just venting...but all I know is we certainly wouldn't ride a theme of another local filmmaker...that's an unspoken rule. At least to me and my circle of friends. It's an honor code.
 
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Pfft. This can only be settled with undercover ninja-justice, and shurikens.
smiley_ninja.gif
 
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Wait until December, and hopefully they will have things underway. Tip off your local diocese that a movie disrespectful to nuns is about commence filming. Watch them rally the congregation into a protesting frenzy. Alert the media to the issue. Watch the media decend.

Then, when all is frenzied to fever pitch...offer to give an exclusive interview as a local filmmaker who already has his OWN nun movie about to come out! Take advantage of the media to pimp your own movie ... already complete and DUE OUT on DVD January 12th!!! Pre-order your copy TODAY!

;)
 
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M1chae1 said:
t all I know is we certainly wouldn't ride a theme of another local filmmaker...that's an unspoken rule. At least to me and my circle of friends. It's an honor code.
Click to expand...

A few other things to consider as you take it all in.

This code of honor exists in YOUR circle of friends. Because
another group of filmmakers doesn't honor YOUR code doesn't make
them dishonorable. Unless, of course, you have discussed the code
with all the other local filmmakers. It could very well be this
other group had been thinking of a "nunsploitation" story for a
long time and hearing about yours ignited that spark. Perhaps
there was no disrespect to YOUR code intended. In fact, as you
previously pointed out, it could be seen as a sign of respect -
"If they can do it, we can do it."

It could also be that they had a script and were seeking funds
before they even heard about your project. They may very will be
upset that yours came out before they had the money to start
shooting but like their script enough to continue even with the
competition. Is there a possibility that this group doesn’t even
know about your movie?

I live in Los Angeles. If I were to follow your unspoken rule I
could never make a movie using any theme. All my fellow, local
filmmakers are making just about every genre and theme
imaginable. And in a city this large and with as many projects
as are being made I can’t imagine how I could know about even one
third of the projects being made as I go into production.

I wonder if it's time you speak that "rule" to all the other local
filmmakers. See if many of them agree to never touch the theme of
any other local filmmakers movie. Get that code of honor out
there beyond you group.

I know this is going to come off as sarcasm, but I am seriously
asking and asking in a respectful way: How long does this code of
honor last within your circle of friends? Can a local filmmaker
never make a 'nunsploitation' again, or is there a time limit?
 
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Who cares?

Let them make the movie! If they're silly enough to get inspired to make their nun film after hearing about yours and can't come up with an idea on their own, chances are the film won't be that good anyway. Just take it as flattery and move on. Why bring in lawyers? Your film is separate! If they end up getting press, then you can move in and steal some yourself! If not, no harm done. If it were me, I'd contact them and see if they wanted to combine efforts and do a double bill premiere... A double feature premiere like Nun other!!!

In the last Indietalk challenge, our script for French Onion was made by three groups (including ours)... I thought that was awesome! It was really cool to watch 2 other versions of the same film. Even though it was in the context of the contest, I still hold that philosophy outside... if someone were to make a "Mushroom Zombie" movie after I release mine, I'd be cool with it because it'd obviously be different than mine and it would mean I started a new sub-genre!

I understand why people are so tight about ideas and everything, but you gotta let go- there's more to life than being bitter about others! Save the lawyers for divorces and Judge Judy. Focus on making your own movies as good as possible and keep trucking!
 
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You can't copyright an idea. How much of your script did they take? Not sure if your basic premise is protected. You'll have to speak to a lawyer. How much of your script have they copied? Did you register your script before they registered theirs? Do you have a document file of your script on a hard drive that shows date create and last modified?
I would send them a certified letter with a "riot act". If they actually make the movie then how much is the producer worth? Any money to sue for or are they "broke"?
 
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John@Bophe said:
Wait until December, and hopefully they will have things underway. Tip off your local diocese that a movie disrespectful to nuns is about commence filming. Watch them rally the congregation into a protesting frenzy. Alert the media to the issue. Watch the media decend.

Then, when all is frenzied to fever pitch...offer to give an exclusive interview as a local filmmaker who already has his OWN nun movie about to come out! Take advantage of the media to pimp your own movie ... already complete and DUE OUT on DVD January 12th!!! Pre-order your copy TODAY!

;)
Click to expand...

Hell, we prayed for this to happen to us...but it never did. We were hoping for such a god-send of publicity. The most we got was a priest walking out of the film and bad mouthing the movie later...which is good enough for now.
 
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directorik said:
A few other things to consider as you take it all in.

This code of honor exists in YOUR circle of friends. Because
another group of filmmakers doesn't honor YOUR code doesn't make
them dishonorable. Unless, of course, you have discussed the code
with all the other local filmmakers. It could very well be this
other group had been thinking of a "nunsploitation" story for a
long time and hearing about yours ignited that spark. Perhaps
there was no disrespect to YOUR code intended. In fact, as you
previously pointed out, it could be seen as a sign of respect -
"If they can do it, we can do it."

It could also be that they had a script and were seeking funds
before they even heard about your project. They may very will be
upset that yours came out before they had the money to start
shooting but like their script enough to continue even with the
competition. Is there a possibility that this group doesn’t even
know about your movie?

I live in Los Angeles. If I were to follow your unspoken rule I
could never make a movie using any theme. All my fellow, local
filmmakers are making just about every genre and theme
imaginable. And in a city this large and with as many projects
as are being made I can’t imagine how I could know about even one
third of the projects being made as I go into production.

I wonder if it's time you speak that "rule" to all the other local
filmmakers. See if many of them agree to never touch the theme of
any other local filmmakers movie. Get that code of honor out
there beyond you group.

I know this is going to come off as sarcasm, but I am seriously
asking and asking in a respectful way: How long does this code of
honor last within your circle of friends? Can a local filmmaker
never make a 'nunsploitation' again, or is there a time limit?
Click to expand...


You had me there on your first post...but not so much on this post.

I wasn't trying to force 'our' code on anyone...it's an honor thing, as I mentioned. If you know of a local group that is--in that same year--releasing a nunsploitation movie...you don't jump on the chance to shoot it then...I completely agree with you that you shouldn't always worry about it because you'd never get a film done...but there is a huge difference waiting a little while after a films release before shooting, rather than doing it the same time. And let's be clear here...two companies doing a zombie film at the same time is totally different than two companies doing a vigilanti nun movie that takes on the mob because someone high in the church got murdered...and lastly, there are hundreds of films being shot at one time in LA...in New England, a handful...my point is pretty clear. One of these examples is something that happens all the time...the other...not so much.

I'm sorry I even mentioned the term 'code'...obviously that was something you took a different direction and ran with it.

Listen, an email was sent to the gentleman in a comletely friendly, 'hey, by the way did you know another film was just shot nearly identical to this plot this year...'

The guy wrote back and said...'Ohh...I didn't know that. I checked on IMDB and yes, you're right, the plots are very similar. I'll talk to my guys and see what they want to do about plot, so that we don't mirror your film.'

Not to mention--with all due respect--our films are on an entirely different level then theirs. So we simply aren't worried about it.

And lastly, my original post was being uber dramatic for entertainment value. We aren't losing any sleep over this....lol.

Thanks for all the comments everyone.
 
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Entertainment value is key. Thanks for keeping us engaged!

But I think there is some value to some of these comments. Combined efforts for marketing and media coverage, etc. You could both protest each other's movie.
 
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