Screenwriting : Rights issue? by Brian Corey

Hi Brian, I've often wondered that myself, as I asked the group a similar question a few week's back. My understanding is that a public figure should be in the public domain to depict if he or she has passed, but I'm not too sure. I've written a biopic (miniseries, actually) and didn't seek the life rights for my subject, as I used the project as a calling-card spec. I hope you find out!

Hi, James Welday thanks for the info. I am also using this script as sort of writing sample, though I would love to see it made someday!

I wrote it some years back, and I wish, having many years of experience under my belt, I could go and tighten the script (all 10 hours of it). If you're serious about reading it, I'd be happy to send it your way.

Brian, I wouldn't worry much about it. A public figure lives in the public domain but keep your facts true and verifiable to avoid slander/defamation of character issues. IF your sample writing script should ever be green-lit, then the Producer will take care of any 'rights' issues.

I wrote a fictional biopic about a very famous filmmaker recently. It's a completely untrue story, and from what I've gathered that's totally okay to do. However, it's also caught the attention of people who work with this filmmaker and I've already had a meeting with them as a result. They're pretty interested in it. So from that experience alone, I say go for it and worry about the rest later.

depends on the producer (buyer) and how powerful their lawyers are. Plenty of original specs purchased about real-life rich people with their own powerful lawyers. Examples, "Blonde Ambition" (Madonna), "Boy Genius" (Snapchat founder), "Hustlers" (Main Stripper sued Warner Bros), "Bubbles" (Michael Jackson's chimp), "Chappaquiddick" (Ted Kennedy's coverup car accident)

Dan... does Bubbles have a lawyer? I will lose my mind if Bubbles has a lawyer.