Hi everyone. I wish you all have a great weekend and a greater Christmas day ahead. I've been thinking about it since long ago to use unique characters for writing a new storyline. For example Batman. But of course he is Warner Bros trademark so that's not gonna be an abc option, but is there any way to be able to write down a series about Batman stories which could be accepted? If yes, then I could use some advices. And also what about Arthurian characters or other fiction stories like Dracula? Thank you and merry Christmas!
Screenwriting : Writing a screenplay using popular characters by Allen R. Nelson
Writing a screenplay using popular characters
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For the most part, there would not be a way to do so. Not without permission. Unless you're doing the writing as fan fiction or for practice, in my opinion as a spec script it would be pointless. There are characters you can write about, as they are now in Public Domain, check out, http://free-universe.myartsonline.com/literature.html
Just as I expected, I need the owner's permission. Thank you.
Dracula is no longer under copyright, and neither are King Arthur and those Knights. 100 years after the death of the creator is usually safe (copyright is complicated, so this is the short answer).
Yes, I already saw Dracula in that domain but I was wondering about Arthur. Thank you.
Just don't make an Arthurian story based on a recent novel. Then you'll be back into murky territory.
Of course not. It's totally a fiction story and has nothing to do with the novels of king Arthur. Thanks for the heads up.
I guess the original storylines perhaps.
All of the Holmes stories that have fallen out of copyright - and the portrayal of Holmes in those stores - is fair game. All of the Holmes stories still in copyright - and the portrayal of Holmes in those stories - you can not use. Recent film used things about Holmes which only existed in latter (still copyrighted) stories (bee keeping). That's what got them into trouble. It's always best to create original character and original stories (and original everything else) because legal questions that may be tricky like this don't come up.
Agreed. But still, sometimes you need to use something popular to create something new and entertaining. Creating a new character with a new story is not as easy as it seems. Sometimes you're out of ideas and you need something to hang on. Creating a new story out of something old and cliche in a different way is more entertaining sometimes. For example the Avengers movie or the way we're seeing Batman characters' origins in Gotham.
Both of those were assignments, given to writers who had proven themselves by writing original material with original characters.
Yes, and that was just for example.
One more thing to consider is other people work based on public domain material. Yes Dracula is in the public domain, but if someone has created something unique in their telling of a Dracula story, that is off limits. Their original work is covered even though the character is in the public domain. So if I was going to create a Dracula story I would go read Bram Stoker's Dracula (which is one of my favourite books). From this book you can create your version, all other work is probably protected. I use Dracula as an example, but the same is true for all public domain stories and characters.
Well, that could be a problem. I read Bram Stoker's Dracula when I was eight I think I love the story and I always loved those kind of stories but what if I have a different idea for Dracula for example, and I use a different name and figure? But the character stays as what Dracula is.
Truth is the majorly known public domain characters have been done to death. There are numerous Dracula and King Arthur and Wolfman, Frankenstein and Wiz of Oz projects in development. Create something original instead! you don't want to compete against studio projects with millions of development bucks behind them.
Alright. As most people are suggesting not to use public characters then I guess I have to change my storyline and create something unique. Thank you all!
Add to that - you are going to write 100 screenplays over your career... you need to be able to create original characters or you will run out of PD characters and end up in big trouble. You want to create the characters that will create the sequels and franchises and remakes 30 years from now.
Dracula Untold shows you can take a character that has been "done" several times over and inject new life into an old story.
Exactly. That's what I going to do with a character like Dracula. The ultimate vampire lord in a brand new storyline which no one ever heard or seen.