Is "Threat Level Midnight" copyrighted?

JakeSully

JakeSully

Well, I'm a huge fan of The Office.
I just watched the Threat Level Midnight episode (the long one, season 7), and found it hilarious, in a tacky and annoying way, ala Michael.
Anyhow, along friends of mine, we where thinking about shooting a Threat Level Midnight remake, with the same absurd dialogue, and crazy, illogical scenes, but with convincing acting, real special effects... A real short film, but with the crappy/hilarious content.
Now, before doing anything, I would like to know if there would be any legal trouble with this. I'm not thinking on doing it for profit, but just for fun.
 
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yes, anything once it is created is immediately copyrighted. In the case of a TV show on NBC, I can assure you, they also sent in the forms for the library of congress....
 
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Lot's of people make fanfilms, and as long as you aren't making any money on it it's usually ok. Studios have figured out that fanfilms help keep their franchise alive without them paying a dime.
 
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I think you wouldn't have any problem making a fan film.

Obviously, if you're using their story, characters and dialogue you won't be able to make a dime off it but it might be a good way to get people to interested in your work and to tap a different sort of fan base.
 
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Parodies should be fine.
Otherwise, nope.

https://www.google.com/#hl=en&sugex....,cf.osb&fp=638562478932eb61&biw=1280&bih=933

"No. Seriously. We were trying to be funny...
What... ? You didn't think that was funny?...
We thought it was funny.
Lettuce watch it again...
HA! HA! HA! HA!
Nah, man! THAT was some funny stuff we did...
What?
JAIL??!!!
Nah, man!
THAT ain't funny!...
No! Don't taze me, man!"



PaulGriffith said:
Ehhh, your asking people to donate so you're taking money in. Even if you don't turn a profit, money is changing hands. Fan films are generally done out of pocket.
Click to expand...
I wonder if donors can be prosecuted for aiding and abetting known criminal activity? Hmm...
 
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JakeSully said:
So, it's green light on fan made film.
What if I used kick starter to fund the movie?
Click to expand...
You might be crossing a line only lawyers can see. Can you afford to defend yourself in a lawsuit? Is making a fan film worth losing your crib and ride? The more you've got to lose, the more these things are worth reconsidering.

Good luck though.
 
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Something to think about when violating copyright;

It is not criminal - in that you will not be arrested. It has
nothing do to with profit. The right to copy lays (lies?) with the
owner who has the right to allow or not allow someone to use their
material. The copyright owner can sue even if no money has changed
hands. It is true that many people violate copyright and are never
caught. It is true that some copyright owners do not enter into
any action against “fan” violators.

So as a filmmaker you need to choose to violate someone's
copyright with that knowledge. The odds are you will never be
caught or sued. If you are comfortable violating a writers
copyright you will most likely get away with it. If you can get
funding from donations to violate a writers copyright you will
most likely get away with it.
 
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