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Ellison is pissed

David cgc said:
... Ellison demands to be fairly compensated for use of the script he hates and disowned...

This is inaccurate. Ellison wants compensation for use of the original elements of his teleplay - specifically, the Guardians or Sister Edith Keeler - not for any accretions pertaining to the studio rewrite (which he does disavow).

I imagine that it's arguable whether "The Guardian" donut is identical to the "Guardians" of Ellison's script, but it is certainly directly derived from them. I've looked over the 2004 WGA MBA and frankly can't make heads or tails of the "separated rights" issue.
 
Angel4576 said:
MattJC said:
I hope Ellison ends up suing Paramount and Abrams.

broken_record.jpg

This would be the first time I mentioned anything about Paramount and Abrams getting sued. Try again.
 
Was Ellison compensated for the recent novel series that spun off the "Guardian" episodes? I recall that he shrieked about that one as well.

Also, I can't believe that we're talking about Ellison and no one has mentioned the Great Harlan Ellison boob-grabbing incident.

I recently read his book about the "making of" the "City" episode, and when finished I seriously wondered whether he is mentally ill. His continued obsession over that script, so many years later, seems to border to psychosis.

That said, I think it's pretty clear that he would indeed be owed some royalties if elements of his script were to be used. However, that fact certainly hasn't been confirmed, and I'm quite sure that Paramount's legal department would happily fork over the cash, given that it would be a miniscule amount of money compared to this movie's budget.
 
MattJC said:
This would be the first time I mentioned anything about Paramount and Abrams getting sued. Try again.

Your irrational continued vendetta against Abrams' new Trek film is obvious in every post you make. You're not fooling anyone here.
 
CaptJimboJones said:
Also, I can't believe that we're talking about Ellison and no one has mentioned the Great Harlan Ellison boob-grabbing incident.

Possibly because it's in no way relevant to the discussion.

Although I know that never stops us...
 
Would any of this be happening if the WGA was not on strike at the moment? One wonders. If not, then it's not about the money; it's not about Ellison; it's not about the characters, Trek, etc.; it's about solidarity with his guild. That's it. So, it's not being done because he actually values the material or his work; it's being done so he can make a statement for the Gipper.
 
peacemaker said:
Would any of this be happening if the WGA was not on strike at the moment? One wonders."

There's no reason to wonder, if one is aware that Ellison has brought this up time and again - most recently some months ago with reference to Pocket Books' publishing program. No one was on strike then.

So, it's not being done because he actually values the material or his work; it's being done so he can make a statement for the Gipper.

A conclusion based on an invalid premise; see above.
 
CaptJimboJones said:
Also, I can't believe that we're talking about Ellison and no one has mentioned the Great Harlan Ellison boob-grabbing incident.

I recently read his book about the "making of" the "City" episode, and when finished I seriously wondered whether he is mentally ill. His continued obsession over that script, so many years later, seems to border to psychosis.

The line between genius and madness, my friend. Anyway, Harlan's personal conduct and sanity aren't on trial here, it's his ability to acquire cash from other people using his creations.
 
I have a hard time believing that someone didn't already think of this, if it is in the script.

I also have a hard time believing Abrams would let such a major plot detail leak this early... but then, it was on AICN ages ago, and I'm still not convinced.
 
Lumen said:
I have a hard time believing that someone didn't already think of this, if it is in the script.

They would have had to if they're also using Carol Marcus, as well.
 
What about D.C. Fontana? They're using Sarek and Amanda from her episode "Journey to Babel", are they not?
 
Aragorn said:
Harlan Ellison is Trek's Kevin McClory?

I can see it now:

Never Say Edge of Forever Again, the all-new Star Trek film, produced by Harlan Ellison. Starring a 78-year-old William Shatner as Capt. Kirk!
 
Kegek said:
What about D.C. Fontana? They're using Sarek and Amanda from her episode "Journey to Babel", are they not?

To boot, both of those characters have appeared on the big screen as well and even with younger actors portraying them once.

So is this an issue that would come up with any old writer or is it just because its Harlan Ellison?

Sharr
 
Kegek said:
What about D.C. Fontana? They're using Sarek and Amanda from her episode "Journey to Babel", are they not?

Amanda is definitely in the film. Haven't heard about Sarek yet.

But Amanda already appeared in ST IV, and I don't remember a big brouhaha about that. Maybe DC is just not as much of a pest as Harlan is. :p

Side note: I just thought of another good choice for Sarek. L&O:SVU fans will know who this guy is. Peter Hermann
 
Sharr Khan said:
So is this an issue that would come up with any old writer or is it just because its Harlan Ellison?

Let me amend that for you:

"So is this an issue that would come up with any old writer or is it just because its Harlan Ellison who has a long-standing grudge against Star Trek because they re-wrote his script?"

The answer to that question, of course, is yes.
 
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