Hey guys, I want to film a script, and because of my lack of experience, I'm having trouble figuring out what I can and cannot use. There is a scene in which involves a character looking at a DVD cover which is in a bookshelf. There is no logo but it just shows the name of the DVD, for example Face/Off. Also, later on, there is a scene in which the character can be seen watching the DVD but nothing visually can be seen from the DVD. It is just from the character's P.O.V. Is this ok? And also, if audio from the film was played whilst the character is watching it, is this allowed either. It's just this is an integral scene and I'm not sure what can and cannot be done. This short film is not for profit or anything either. Thanks a lot.
Use of film references or clips from films
- Thread starter Scorsese on coke
- Start date
To the best of my knowledge any copyrighted material must cleared/licensed. This would include a DVD/CD cover.
There are a few films you can use that won't get you in trouble, for example Star Wars, Lucas is very lax about such things which is why Seth McFarlane uses it so heavily in Family Guy and Seth Green in Robot Chicken. Google can be your best friend!
Does it absolutely have to be a movie/dvd people have heard of/a real dvd? If not then why not design a fake DVD cover and right a small scene for that fake movie. Then just have your actors record it(disguising their voices if they can do it well).
Using the sound/cover/footage of a copyrighted movie is just not a great idea. Unless you have permission, of course.
Using the sound/cover/footage of a copyrighted movie is just not a great idea. Unless you have permission, of course.