My screenplay-in-progress focuses on an American artist invited to England by a mysterious uncle. During her visit, Jennice is working steadily on creating new oil paintings she hopes will win a prize. In one scene I wanted to use a brief clip (20-30 seconds) from "Portrait of Jennie," a 1948 film about a portraitist. Is using old film footage very expensive?
Screenwriting : Question about using a short clip from an old film [i.e., "Portrait of Jennie," 1948] by LindaAnn Loschiavo
Question about using a short clip from an old film [i.e., "Portrait of Jennie," 1948]
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Probably depends on who owns the rights.
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Since you're not asking to show 20-30 seconds of some recent huge commercial success, I'd just go ahead and write it. Something tells me that such a clip wouldn't be cost prohibitive.
Thank you, Lisa. I'll make a note of that on my ms.
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Referencing a scene from another movie in a screenplay costs nothing. When you are finished with the screenplay and ready to produce it you can find how much the rights will cost. If they are too much for your budget then you can find an alternative. But for now how much the rights will be when you make the movie should not get in your way as the writer.
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I assume D Marcus meant "should not get in your way..."
Very interesting, Peter. Gary Dennis certainly is effective. I'll pursue the lead. Thanks! GARY DENNIS: In 2006, with the Movie Place as his calling card, Gary launched a one-man effort to rename 103rd Street Humphrey Bogart Place, in honor of the late actor who grew up there. In his argument before Community Board 7, Gary pointed out that Mr. Bogart was a not only the internationally recognized face of American film, but a product of the Upper West Side as well. Gary’s efforts paid off with not only a street renaming (a big deal in this city), but a plaque on the city-owned townhouse memorializing the structure as the childhood home (1899–1923) of Mr. Bogart.