CBS/Paramount sues to stop Axanar

[dmac]

My gut tells me that Paramount won't police the guidelines for very long if at all until the next corporate event happens. Paramount is actively looking for a minority investor to shore up declining profit margins. If a minority investor walks in with a few hundred million dollars and voices concern over the activities of fan films, the guidelines will have one word, "NO".
In the end fan film activities may have little to nothing to do with the outcome, except picking out the next worse offender for PR value.
If you think about it, the search for a Minority investor begin a month or two ahead of Anaxar's lawsuit announcement (public announcement was until feb 2016). Some of the people to date that have been privy to Paramount's books have turned and walked away, I believe that in the next 12-18 months either a Minority Investor or group will be found, Paramount will bring a long list of hot products to market (big doubt) or they will raise money with a stock offering.
However it happens, I wouldn't be investing much in Star Trek Fan films at this point.

 

[oswriter]

red cards

To reiterate an earlier point, I don't think "policing the fandom" is the real issue here. It's policing the crowdfunding sites that allow supposedly fan productions to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars using other people's IP. Nobody at CBS cares if a group of fans with a camera make a film. They do care if those fans try to raise $500,000 on Kickstarter for a continuing series of episodes.

 

[RedForman]

Speaking of raising/making money off of other people's IP, LFIM is apparently getting worked up over something he shouldn't.

(I read through the comment thread on the C/P v Axanar FB page and basically what happened is Terry redirected two domains he owns to alternate places).

I don't intend to dive back into the ins and outs of their perk fulfillment C.F., but at this point, they should start doing it by hand (seriously, set a goal of getting X out per day and come up with an ETA for this mess), or just don't - at this point, those who donated should realize (or be close to realizing) that the likelihood they will ever see their perks is next to nil

At the same time though, I think the reason LFIM is foaming at the mouth over this is that 'perk fulfillment' is one of his primary methods of reinforcing loyalty among the Axalytes (if they've donated already, then it's likely they might be willing to throw down on bootleg merchandise......if so, advertising various perks and getting the 'faithful' all riled up is a good way to reinforce loyalty as well as distract them from the reality/truth of the situation)

 

[dmac]

LOL, if the are Terry's domains what did Alec expect? Terry should keep paying for them until Alec moves his junk off of there.

 

[urbandefault]

Speaking of raising/making money off of other people's IP, LFIM is apparently getting worked up over something he shouldn't.

(I read through the comment thread on the C/P v Axanar FB page and basically what happened is Terry redirected two domains he owns to alternate places).

I don't intend to dive back into the ins and outs of their perk fulfillment C.F., but at this point, they should start doing it by hand (seriously, set a goal of getting X out per day and come up with an ETA for this mess), or just don't - at this point, those who donated should realize (or be close to realizing) that the likelihood they will ever see their perks is next to nil

At the same time though, I think the reason LFIM is foaming at the mouth over this is that 'perk fulfillment' is one of his primary methods of reinforcing loyalty among the Axalytes (if they've donated already, then it's likely they might be willing to throw down on bootleg merchandise......if so, advertising various perks and getting the 'faithful' all riled up is a good way to reinforce loyalty as well as distract them from the reality/truth of the situation)

He's staring down the gaping maw of a potentially multi-million dollar lawsuit, and this is an emergency?

 

[SITZKRIEG!]

What does LFIM stand for? I'm not familiar with the acronym.

 

[urbandefault]

Lord Foot-In-Mouth.

 

[muCephi]

Speaking of raising/making money off of other people's IP, LFIM is apparently getting worked up over something he shouldn't...

(I read through the comment thread on the C/P v Axanar FB page and basically what happened is Terry redirected two domains he owns to alternate places).

to where? california attorney general's office, please, please, please?

--

even if Terry owns them, if there are arguably enforceable trademark names involved, or perhaps if he expressed an intent that he was buying them on behalf of axanar (contract), I imagine he could be served with c&d & demand to hand them over in exchange for costs... did "axanar" ever get trademarked, or Ares Digital? Maybe Alec's incorporation name affords some protection too, but a different "Axanar" business in a different industry and location (noncompeting) may not have to abide by name exclusion.

 

[ThankYouGeneR]

It was decent cgi work, but that's about it. Looked less like a fan film and more like a sizzle reel for the FX studio.

I've often wondered if this is what the future of fan films will look like. No expensive studios, hand crafted props, not a lot of actors that have to get together in one place to create a production. Just a few green sheets, bunch of beauty shots, a computer and the talent to cut all into a film.
Once the VFX reaches this level, who needs plots, scripts and actors that can carry a full scene?

I get what you guys are saying here. And here's the thing - or at least 'a' thing - I see the possibility of coming out of the official guidelines that have come from this overreaching production now in litigation - that the trajectory of fan films may begin to broaden again. We've been moving steadily toward our wonderful story and live action character-centric fan films for quite a few years now. With several becoming wonderful web series. With fan movies on the horizon, if you'll forgive the pun. And now this overreaching production that has caused pause to the IP owners and used the other fan productions as fodder for it own purposes. And limits being set.

So what we may begin to see more of since this overreaching production has forced these limitations on us is more varied types of fan film productions making a place for themselves in 'addition' to our terrific story telling fan films.

Not everyone who might be interested in making a ST fan film will be talented or even interested in the same areas. But will want to make a fan film using what they know or love.

If my talents lie in story telling or acting... my fan film will focus in those areas with less focus on fx. If my talents lie in fx my ST fan film might use all my technical fx talent with minimal focus on dialogue-story, acting, props, sets.

Which doesn't make my fx fan film less than one that is story telling... just coming from a different perspective.

There is certainly room for the musician making a music ST fan film, the comedian making a comedy ST fan film, the serious story teller...., the serious set builder...., the lover of props...., the budding visual effects aficionado...., the lover of spaceships..., the live action..., the animation..., etc.

And where all that has been available all along of course.... the live action dialogue-story telling fan film has been the heavy weight focus for some time now... and because of the guidelines that this overreaching production has forced on us... I see it possible that the otherwise talented may again start producing more. Words & dialogue are one of many forms of storytelling.

Like 'Chasing The Infinite Sky'. Minimal dialogue, heavy vfx. But I was swept up in the story nonetheless. The future, space travel beyond the known universe, exploring. I saw the story, I felt it emotionally. For me it was a complete story... it was almost entirely told by vfx.

Not everyone responds to ST audio productions or animation fan films or vfx fan films or live action drama fan films or home grown fan films or comedy fan films...etc. etc. with the same degree of like or appreciation. That just is. It doesn't make one format better or less than another.

But, yup, sure, I can see that for awhile or longer vfx may be the 'thing' lots of fan film makers will jump into heavily. But I've been around long enough to see these things cycle. And if our films do go heavily into green screen or total cgi.... there will also come a time when that will cycle out again as a main format.

 

[jamestyler]

Shades of Nilo Rodis designs
Looks like this http://www.trekbbs.com/threads/wip-u-s-s-bozeman-revisited-aka-unused-tsfs-ship-design.66010/

Aha! I knew I'd seen that style before! I remember being quite fond of the merging between secondary hulls and saucers and kept forgetting to look for it

kinda hard to imagine establishing any new character well enough in 30 mins to convince people the character needs to be brought to justice, and then that it happened. the emotional experience for the viewer would be pretty rushed.

Not really. It happens all the time. One off the top of my head is Red Dwarf - the show has character moments to establish who's who, introduces a villain or story and completes it in less than half an hour. The Inquisitor was the one that spring to mind first - quick introduction of the antagonist, character moments that tell more than the rest of the series combined and a time travelling resolution and easy to understand sci fi plot - 29 minutes with opening and closing credits.

 

[Rincewiend]

Not really. It happens all the time. One off the top of my head is Red Dwarf - the show has character moments to establish who's who, introduces a villain or story and completes it in less than half an hour. The Inquisitor was the one that spring to mind first - quick introduction of the antagonist, character moments that tell more than the rest of the series combined and a time travelling resolution and easy to understand sci fi plot - 29 minutes with opening and closing credits.

And some cartoons do it in half that time...

 

[cultcross]

Like 'Chasing The Infinite Sky'. Minimal dialogue, heavy vfx. But I was swept up in the story nonetheless. The future, space travel beyond the known universe, exploring. I saw the story, I felt it emotionally. For me it was a complete story... it was almost entirely told by vfx.

Not everyone responds to ST audio productions or animation fan films or vfx fan films or live action drama fan films or home grown fan films or comedy fan films...etc. etc. with the same degree of like or appreciation. That just is. It doesn't make one format better or less than another

Exactly right. I thought "Chasing the Infinite Sky" told an engaging and emotional story in a short timeframe using what they were clearly talented at doing. It's far from the only way of doing that; that thread here a month or so ago with the guys who had done that Enterprise fanfic using two actors and two small sets - another great short story told well within the fan film guidelines.
Perhaps instead of searching for loopholes and rules they 'probably' won't enforce, we could be celebrating the productions that show what can be done within the boundaries of the generous playpen that CBS/Paramount have given the fans.

 

[ThankYouGeneR]

Exactly right. I thought "Chasing the Infinite Sky" told an engaging and emotional story in a short timeframe using what they were clearly talented at doing. It's far from the only way of doing that; that thread here a month or so ago with the guys who had done that Enterprise fanfic using two actors and two small sets - another great short story told well within the fan film guidelines.
............................. we could be celebrating the productions that show what can be done within the boundaries of the generous playpen that CBS/Paramount have given the fans.

I believe this is the Enterprise video you spoke of. Made within the new boundaries forced upon us by the overreaching production in litigation. Not what I've grown used to in size, scope, detailed story telling. With cgi almost zero. Yet... the amazing crafting of a single moment in the lives of two people in extreme crisis continuing to function admirably within it; fear, regret, resignation, gratitude, duty, sacrifice ....... two actors, six minutes, tiny practical sets.

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[RCAM]

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This is absolutely one of the best fan films ever made, in my opinion.

 

[Jedi_Master]

It's going to be (to use your terminology) red cards for most things that are easy to measure, preferably automatically or at least by an intern.

Things like:

• Length - simple - you only have to click on the YouTube link. You don't even need to start the film.
• Whether the disclaimer is up - fast forward to the end and look. Might take a little digging if the disclaimer is in a weird place (wouldn't it be interesting for a captain to see it on his/her PADD?)
• Use of pros - check IMDB pages. Might require watching some films from soup to nuts but it's not hard.
• Name doesn't have Star Trek in it - child's play to do this one.
• Crowdfunding amount - a little more digging but the usual suspects aren't too hard to check. Plus productions are going to be blasting those URLs everywhere, because they need for their funders to click.
• Use of 'a Star Trek fan production' - again, easy.
• Trademark and copyright registrations - just have a savvy intern check the US Copyright Office every quarter or so.

Harder stuff to police:

• Use of pros not on IMDB
• Knockoff costumes, props, etc. and distinguishing them from stuff hand-crafted just for a production
• Merchandise sales (kinda depends - eBay and etsy are the first places to look, plus anyone looking for $$ would be sharing the hell out of links. But it does require more Google-fu).
• Family-friendly Trek - some of these will be judgment calls. E. g. if a story line is about the trial of a genocidal maniac, that character might spew some nasty hate speech. Is it okay if he or she is brought to justice during the course of the film?
• Exhibiting for no charge - some of this is easier to check (e. g. free streaming), some is tougher (e. g. some Saturday night movie house out in Nowheresville).

It's possible the second class of stuff would be yellow cards unless it was ongoing. I don't know; we shall see how enforcement goes.

I see a two - tier approach based on a similar list... if there are "easy to find" violations than the fan production gets form letter that basically says "Hey bub - you might want to modify this film - or else."

If the fan production does not respond or change within 30 days, then the case gets kicked up to a more important person and their team, which then run the film through the whole gauntlet of guidelines and make a recommendation as to whether or not to pursue legal action.

 

[cultcross]

I believe this is the Enterprise video you spoke of. Made within the new boundaries forced upon us by the overreaching production in litigation. Not what I've grown used to in size, scope, detailed story telling. With cgi almost zero. Yet... the amazing crafting of a single moment in the lives of two people in extreme crisis continuing to function admirably within it; fear, regret, resignation, gratitude, duty, sacrifice ....... two actors, six minutes, tiny practical sets.

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That's the one. A true fan film, rather than a cheaply produced episode or Trek film. In my opinion, this is what CBS have in mind with their new guidelines. What they want to stop is full length productions with public funded budgets and Trek alumni popping up everywhere. Fans can still use their talent and passion to produce fantastic creations, but it seems we've not quite shaken the desire to make private hour long episodes.

 

[Jedi_Master]

I think that the tiny slice of fandom will appreciate "true" fan films produced under the guidelines, especially when all the nattering naybobs that have hijacked the fan film community for their own personal gratification and benefit have been cleared out.

 

[RedForman]

 

[Jedi_Master]

@TampAxanar is an international Cultural Treasure

 

[muCephi]

@TampAxanar is an international Cultural Treasure

its the Warehouse 13 artifact "Mirror of Axanaria" - whatever you say in front of it, your sleep deprived 8 year old self in the mirror says what you are really thinking.