What makes a movie a "Fan Movie"?

[spaceman-usa]

We are planning a movie in 2017 that is in the "Star Trek" universe, but:

1. Makes no mention of any Federation ship, base, or planet (It all happens on/near earth). All of the ships and locations mentioned are not part of the past or current Star Trek.
2. Uses different designs for ships, bases, badging, sets, weapons, uniforms, and communications devices than any Star Trek.
3. Star Trek is not used in any form (as it's not necessary). The trek-like words used include the Federation, Prime Directive, transporter, subspace, and phaser/communicator. The movie is set 10 years after DS9

The million dollar question is... is this a Fan Movie, or is it different?

 

[northstar]

Certainly a grey area, but if you retain nothing from Star Trek and don´t mention anything Star Trek universe specific, I´d say this is not a fan-film but an independent film, like Polaris.

 

[Tosk]

We are planning a movie in 2017 that is in the "Star Trek" universe

Then it's a fan film.

 

[spaceman-usa]

We are trying to make this as an independent film, so we have more funding options available, plus have the ability to sell patches, phasers, and other cool things. I'm not sure if it's possible.

 

[Karzak]

Unless you are CBS or Paramount, your film is a fan film.

 

[GSchnitzer]

We are planning a movie in 2017 that is in the "Star Trek" universe, but:

1. Makes no mention of any Federation ship, base, or planet (It all happens on/near earth). All of the ships and locations mentioned are not part of the past or current Star Trek.
2. Uses different designs for ships, bases, badging, sets, weapons, uniforms, and communications devices than any Star Trek.
3. Star Trek is not used in any form (as it's not necessary). The trek-like words used include the Federation, Prime Directive, transporter, subspace, and phaser/communicator. The movie is set 10 years after DS9

The million dollar question is... is this a Fan Movie, or is it different?

Maybe you can save yourself some trouble. Just decide that it's not in the Star Trek universe and then it's all yours!

It does make me wonder how this is in fact in the Trek universe if it incorporates nothing from the Ttek universe. In what ways does "being in the Trek universe" manifest itself in your production--and if it's minimal, why include it at all?

 

[spaceman-usa]

It's important enough script-wise to stay in the Star Trek Universe.

 

[OpenMaw]

Then it's pretty clearly cut a fan film.

 

[MikeH92467]

Are you planning (or allowing for the possibility) to make money on this in some form or fashion?

 

[Bixby]

What's the point of this thread? You're placing this inside an existing ''franchise universe'' that doesn't belong to you...It's a fan movie.
If it's a good film (webisode\short\etc.)? Well, we don't know anything based on your description.

 

[spaceman-usa]

I have to keep it that way for now. It will be called: Prime Directive, Starfleet: Prime Directive, or something similar.

 

[GSchnitzer]

I have to keep it that way for now. It will be called: Prime Directive, Starfleet: Prime Directive, or something similar.

"The trek-like words used include the Federation, Prime Directive, transporter, subspace, and phaser/communicator."


Yes, I would make arrangements to get CBS their cut for the use of their Intellectual Property or make sure your Top Line (not Bottom Line) is $0.00. If you can't reach an agreement on the licensing with CBS, yes--it's a fan film.

 

[Danlav05]

Interestingly in the 90s independent video makers licenced mosnters from Doctor Who from the creators (writers e.g. Robert Holmes estate for Sontarans) and sold them on VHS.

They did not get in trouble with the BBC and have been reissued on DVD.

 

[BillJ]

Interestingly in the 90s independent video makers licenced mosnters from Doctor Who from the creators (writers e.g. Robert Holmes estate for Sontarans) and sold them on VHS.

They did not get in trouble with the BBC and have been reissued on DVD.

Different copyright/trademark rules on that side of the pond.

 

[JoeZhang]

Are you planning (or allowing for the possibility) to make money on this in some form or fashion?

No..no... You ask for 'donations'

 

[Duane]

Unless you are CBS or Paramount, your film is a fan film.

I disagree. It's a fan film if you have non-professionals in front of and behind the camera. If all parties are professionals with credentials it is an independent film, not a fan film. Regardless of whether you call it Trek or not.

 

[Maurice]

Unless you are CBS or Paramount, your film is a fan film.

I disagree. It's a fan film if you have non-professionals in front of and behind the camera. If all parties are professionals with credentials it is an independent film, not a fan film. Regardless of whether you call it Trek or not.

Any way you slice it, it's still a Copyright (and likely Trademark) violation.

 

[Tosk]

Unless you are CBS or Paramount, your film is a fan film.

I disagree. It's a fan film if you have non-professionals in front of and behind the camera. If all parties are professionals with credentials it is an independent film, not a fan film. Regardless of whether you call it Trek or not.

It's still a fan film. It's fans making something set in the Trek universe, and they're doing it because they like Trek. That's a fan film, even if the fans are professionals.

 

[BillJ]

Unless you are CBS or Paramount, your film is a fan film.

I disagree. It's a fan film if you have non-professionals in front of and behind the camera. If all parties are professionals with credentials it is an independent film, not a fan film. Regardless of whether you call it Trek or not.

Sorry, dude, it is a fan film. Independent films can make money, these "Trek" films cannot.

 

[Jedman67]

If you're planning to make money on it, don't call it star trek. Replace phaser with laser, transporter with teleporter, for example. Or just call it a fan film and use the options available for such

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