Writing about real people

[El Mariachi]

I am interested to know what the rules for writing a story about real people (i.e. a movie about The Rolling Stones) and what the requirements for doing so are? In other words, if a writer were to use these characters to develop a story that is fictitious, are there are any rules against it?

[NikeeGoddess]

i think your best bet is to write the story you want but change all the names. the characters and events can be totally ficticious but similar to those of the rolling stones but they should not be the rolling stones. no one has a copyright on events that happen in their life.

later, when you gather interest in your project, there's a razor slim chance that you found a producer who can make a deal with the rolling stones and you can rewrite it to fit.
or -- unless... and this is big - you have a deal with them to write a story -- they sell or give you the rights.

[El Mariachi]

My idea is to write a story about the band, that I had heard might or might not be true. In order to write it in a fictitious fashion, I would have to create a whole new band, and even deal with having to write original music. That is not my thing. So, I want to use the real band, and write from there.

[Hillgate]

My idea is to write a story about the band, that I had heard might or might not be true. In order to write it in a fictitious fashion, I would have to create a whole new band, and even deal with having to write original music. That is not my thing. So, I want to use the real band, and write from there.

Or work with a composer and get songs that are hopefully spin-off revenue-generative in themselves.

[scripter1]

are very protective of themselves.

1) they don't want to look bad

and

2) If money is involved they want some.

Made up people don't sue.

Sure, heck yeah, you can WRITE anything you want.

I know, you mean will it fly, can you market it?
Maybe, depends.
You have to be aware that if you deal with REAL people and REAL events things get REAL difficult.

[nmstevens]

My idea is to write a story about the band, that I had heard might or might not be true. In order to write it in a fictitious fashion, I would have to create a whole new band, and even deal with having to write original music. That is not my thing. So, I want to use the real band, and write from there.

The Rolling Stones are considered to be public figures and so the standard of protection afforded them is somewhat different from that afforded to private citizens.

That being said, no one could use so much as five seconds of their music without their permission (or, at any rate, the permission of whoever currently holds the rights -- I don't know if it's them or not).

And I don't see how you could possibly write a story about the Rolling Stones without using their music in the story.

That means that I don't see how you could write a movie about them without their permission and active cooperation -- and their agreeing to let you use their music.

And of course, they don't really "give" anyone permission to use their music. You, or whomever, has to pay for it. Pay a lot for it. A fortune.

So however you proceed, it would certainly present significant problems.

If you were already a major established writer/director you might approach them with the proposal. But you're not and so you can't (unless by some chance you happen to be related to or know or know somebody who's pals with one of the Rolling Stones). And even if you were to write the script on a hope, a song, and a prayer, there is no practicable way of getting it to them in an official capacity. And without getting it to them, and getting them to give you their permission and active cooperation -- in writing -- the project would be dead in the water. You simply wouldn't be able to get in the door with it anywhere.

So fictionalizing may be the only practical approach, however much of a compromise it may be.

NMS

[NikeeGoddess]

like i said ;)

[Mac H.]

I know the sensible thing to do is to change the details (simply because music rights will be a pain) but there are at least two low budget films that I can think of that had plots revolving around famous bands (and their music) and they managed to get made.

I have no idea how they managed to jump through all the hoops ... I suspect a hell of a lot of determination was involved.

One of the examples is http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0316763/ - the plot revolves around AC/DC (and has a lot of AC/DC music naturally) ... I'm sure every man and his dog told them to change it to a ficticious band.

I guess anything is possible ... even if that's not the way to bet.

Have a great day,

Mac

[J. Holmes]

Ya, the Stones are very protective of their name mostly b/c of Mick. Like somebody said above here, you can write anything you want...but when dealing with the Stones in particular, be careful, man.

[dpaterso]

Let's all give a big cheer for Rick "Big Lips" Dagger and the Tumbling Rocks who will be playing their latest smash hit, "Banjie"!

-Derek

[DanielD]

Dpat.
Soooooo that's how the stones would have been introduced on stage, had they been from the Highlands(Heelands).
Daniel.

[DanielD]

Looking at your question from a logical perspective, it would only be a problem if your Screenplay(trolling Drones), actually left your desk draw(Or computer), due to some interested party within the industry, and went into production.
That's when the big knives will be pulled out(For editing of course).
The interested party(agent,prodco ,ect) will/should inform you that your treading on thin/( and expensive) ice, therefore, they will advice you to re-write the names of your characters, and possibly some(if any) incriminating details, which could land you in hot water.
If it's a local act(Or someone you know), possibly someone you can have an up close and personal with, there's a good chance they may be more than happy to hear of your intentions.
It would be a mutually benificial project for both parties.
Daniel.

[WarrenP]

You know the Stones only have what, four more years left in them? ;)

Once they are, um, expired, then the game changes a bit. Of course, you are still paying music royalties, but guys who don't kick the tires anymore don't sue that often. Movies can take years, use that to your advantage!