CBS/Paramount sues to stop Axanar

[Jody Wheeler]

30 minutes is the best thing to ever happen to the Axanar script. True, they could revamp it into Generic Sci-Fi Movie #438,922,180. But with what money?

They'll take the best bits of the existing script and cut it with pew-pew. They'll declare victory and forever tell tales about the awesome movie they could have made if the Haters™ had left them alone.

Everyone wins.

 

[muCephi]

So why is Alec suggesting Axanar Productions will have a life beyond these segments?

• And finally, all of Axanar Productions' future Star Trek fan film productions need to adhere to the "Guidelines for Fan Films" that were issued last June.

I suppose if they figure how to make something out of the 30 minute genre, they could. Alec as Shinzon, Alec as Kahless, ...

 

[muCephi]

...They'll take the best bits of the existing script and cut it with pew-pew. They'll declare victory and forever tell tales about the awesome movie they could have made if the Haters™ had left them alone.

Everyone wins.

And a bargain, at $1.4 million plus undisclosed private donations plus illegal merchandising income plus new donations.

 

[Potemkin_Prod]

As a fan film maker, I'm simply glad this whole thing is over. I initially suspected there would be no settlement, but delighted to be proven wrong. With the decision of the Hon. Judge K to release the financials, I suspect Axanar had more of a motive to settle than before.

Anyway, Axanar may need to do some work with its donors to avoid a legal entanglement with them, but other than that, I hope they proceed with the production of their fan film.

 

[Relayer1]

What were you expecting, exactly?

M1A3 Abrams tanks, Bradley FV's and Apache gunships laying waste to Axanar Studios with depleted uranium shells causing a nationwide spectacle that would make Waco and Ruby Ridge look like a Texas barbeque?

I was at least hoping for some long range railgun action...

 

[BillJ]

So why is Alec suggesting Axanar Productions will have a life beyond these segments?

• And finally, all of Axanar Productions' future Star Trek fan film productions need to adhere to the "Guidelines for Fan Films" that were issued last June.

I suppose if they figure how to make something out of the 30 minute genre, they could. Alec as Shinzon, Alec as Kahless, ...

Because he can vacuum up a hundred-grand from sycophants per thirty minute segment and spend a small portion of it on movies and pocket the rest.

 

[donners22]

I'm sure that in the next few days we will seem many Facebook posts from Axanar supporters (the clueless ones, anyways) who think they won. Fact is, they wont get the film they wanted, so that's no victory.

Ah, but they can blame it on the big bad studio for crushing the poor little guy.

In some respects, that's better than getting the full film and realising it just isn't very good.

 

[muCephi]

Because he can vacuum up a hundred-grand from sycophants per thirty minute segment and spend a small portion of it on movies and pocket the rest.

Yes, I suppose a few of those per year could keep the studio paid thus let him try to build a reputation as a SF producer and a Trek producer and celebrity. But don't the guidelines prevent the money being used for personal profit or making permanent production assets?

 

[BillJ]

Yes, I suppose a few of those per year could keep the studio paid thus let him try to build a reputation as a SF producer and a Trek producer and celebrity. But don't the guidelines prevent the money being used for personal profit or making permanent production assets?

I have no doubt his special accounting will continue. But, there's no way for CBS to really track private donations.

 

[muCephi]

I have no doubt his special accounting will continue. But, there's no way for CBS to really track private donations.

Good point. But the fan films can't be sold or used to make sidebar profit, such as through advertising, licensing, etc. The whole thing in their Kickstarter about building an empire of fan-funded new media off of Trek is a nonstarter now. Chances are after everyone who needs an Axanar has something to point to, the well is dry.

 

[Firebird]

So damn glad it's over. If this means that Alec can just shut up and actually make something, fine. Now the fanfilm community can get back to normal.

 

[Mudd]

True, they could revamp it into Generic Sci-Fi Movie #438,922,180.

You sure that count doesn't apply more accurately to Trek fan films?

Hard to get more generic than Trek.

 

[Crewman6]

Ah, but they can blame it on the big bad studio for crushing the poor little guy.

In some respects, that's better than getting the full film and realising it just isn't very good.

Heh. Well-said. He'll always have a go-to scapegoat for his failings.

The best thing that can happen is he goes away and ordinary fan film makers continue (quietly) going about their business, maybe making a few token changes in light of the new "rules", provided they don't rock the boat too much.

 

[jespah]

The official joint stipulation of voluntary dismissal is in my paws.

It says -

Plaintiffs Paramount Pictures and CBS Studios Inc. and defendants Axanar Productions, Inc. and Alec Peters, by and through their counsel, stipulate to the dismissal of this entire action with prejudice as to all parties pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 41 (a)(1). It is further stipulated that all parties will bear their own attorneys' fees and costs.

It is signed by David Grossman and Erin Ranahan.

3 other things.

1) Blog is up! Axanar Settlement Ends Year-Long Star Trek Case

and

2) A dismissal with prejudice means the case is done and cannot be brought again. However, if the terms are violated, then there might be something in the sealed documents which covers that. We probably won't know anything about that unless it has to happen at some future date.

and

3) Ms. Ranahan, if you're reading this, you might want to change your phone number so you don't get dragged back into this one.

I suppose I'll create a topic re Semantic Shenanigans itself, yes, if anyone wants to follow along in the other legal and societal follies out there that hit fandom. The Seuss case, for one, is just getting started.

#HereWeGoAgain #TeamPie

 

[Daddy Todd]

I hope jespah and carlosp collaborate on a book about the case in 3 or 4 years (after Axanar gets made, or doesn't).

I'd read the hell out of that book...

 

[jespah]

Aw, thanks @Daddy Todd !

@carlosp we could go on tour together!

 

[dmac]

Axanar and Mr. Peters have agreed to make substantial changes to Axanar to resolve this litigation, and have also assured the copyright holders that any future Star Trek fan films produced by Axanar or Mr. Peters will be in accordance with the ‘Guidelines for Fan Films‘ distributed by CBS and Paramount in June 2016….
Concerning the 15 minute guidance, does that mean invoking the understanding about allowing a production beginning pre guidelines to complete it's production?

 

[gazomg]

When I first saw Prelude to Axanar I was really impressed as every fan film prior was basically shit.
I know the others tried and seems cruel to knock them but it was the truth, with Prelude it really looked good and suspect CBS thought so too , and no surprising CBS for some reason to stop it.

Now it is somewhat resolved what now ?
Even if they make the film, what do we get a 30 minute short instead of a proper length movie.
Maybe have as well just killed it.
No one wins

 

[TrekFanProductions]

When I first saw Prelude to Axanar I was really impressed as every fan film prior was basically shit.
I know the others tried and seems cruel to knock them but it was the truth, with Prelude it really looked good and suspect CBS thought so too , and no surprising CBS for some reason to stop it.

Now it is somewhat resolved what now ?
Even if they make the film, what do we get a 30 minute short instead of a proper length movie.
Maybe have as well just killed it.
No one wins

That is so disrespectful to everyone in here who has either helped make or produced a fan film.

This is why Axanar has been the worst thing to happen in fan films for a long time it has brought this mentality out in people.

Smh :-(

 

[Firebird]

When I first saw Prelude to Axanar I was really impressed as every fan film prior was basically shit.
I know the others tried and seems cruel to knock them but it was the truth, with Prelude it really looked good and suspect CBS thought so too , and no surprising CBS for some reason to stop it.

You seem to be mistaking objective truth for subjective preference. Prelude looked like a 30 minute talking heads documentary with some special effects footage added for visual spice. It looked sleek, but whether it was any better than other productions like New Voyages or Continues has not been - nor will it ever be - definitively proven or judged. This tired refrain of "it was so good, CBS was intimidated" is a load of propaganda bollocks, and insulting other fan productions is highly disrespectful and doesn't help lend credence to your claim.