Legally making a LOTR parody

Now we've all read the threads decussing the legality of a fan film, Here .
But what about making a Lord Of the Rings, parody. Would that be legal?
Peter Jackson allowed MTV to make a parody for the awards show last year, (the clip can be found as an Easter Egg in the extended DVD). So we know he has a sence of humor.

What do you think?

 

Hey, a spoof is legal. But did you settle on a parody because you wanted to make a LOTR-based film and couldn't make a serious one, or do you actually want do make a parody in the first place ? If you wanted to make a serious film, you could always go for a fantasy, not LOTR related film. Original fantasy flick...

MTV to make a parody for the awards show last year, (the clip can be found as an Easter Egg in the extended DVD).

Really ? Where, and how do you access that ? I had this clip, tiny resolution and crappy compression, on my HD, so I wouldn't mind watching it in better quality.

EDIT : Oh, and like Neumann, I love parodies too. So if you're going to make one, cool. Can't wait.

 

I love parody. I wrote them for a number of years and I'm still hearing praise for them. Here are my suggestions:

* Diversify your source material. Don't just base your film on "Lord of the Rings". The more scenes from the more movies you can parody, the better off you are (and there are plenty of fantasy titles you can bring into the mix: "Dungeons and Dragons", "Legend", "The Neverending Story", "The Wizard of Oz", to say nothing of the other genres you can bring in). And with an original plot to go with it, how can you do wrong?

* Make your characters COUNT. Make them realistic. I really don't like parodys that exist simply to exist ("Not another Teen Movie" is a good example, where everyone knows that they simply exist to fill a role). Make your characters realistic, with real problems, and your audience will feel more for them. (A great example is "Blazing Saddles", the characters had good backgrounds and never stepped out of character).

* Obey the laws of physics. Just because you can do anything doesn't mean you SHOULD. Don't just pull something from your back that was never there before. Likewise, don't overplay the disappearing/reappearing prop or effect.

* Don't be crude. There's so much fun to be had without resorting to potty jokes and gratuitous cursing (though they can be fun, too).

Just what I think.

Chris

 

I want to make a LOTR parody, because I'm a filmmaker, I like spoofing other movies. I'd sit in the theater and think of ideas how to spoof a movie, while I'm watching it.
I've wanted to make a LOTR spoof since I saw the first one last year. Now I have more of an understanding about the movies, and I have some ideas. But far from production yet.

How to find, the MTV LOTR Parody

Neumann - Thanks for the pointers, I shall keep the in mind.

 

And definitely keep Monty Python's "Life of Brian" and "Search for the Holy Grail" as reference (I don't think anyone is going to debate me on those, especially if you need to do some creative casting).

I also have to say that "Jedi Hunter" is a good example of going the distance with a good parody idea (though it does get a little repetitive). Especially the fantastic space shots. Just because you're doing a parody, that doesn't mean you don't have to do things the right way.

And be sure to be consistent, I didn't say that before, but I think it still holds up.

Chris

 

Don't forget the Thumb movies, as reference (as much as I love them, kung pow, and all that razmajazz) for what NOT to do. www.thumb.com

 

Follow Neumann's suggestions and then check out the recent post Statute 107.

 

Here's a great TTT parody: Parody

 

Actaully, that is the parody I'm doing.
I've already spoke to the writer of it, and gotten the 'Greenlight'.
I just have to expand upon it, make it longer.

 

That script reminds me of FOTR in 2 Hours down at the Tolkien Sarcasm Page.

I've been thinking about a sort of Real World/LOTR parody with the characters being forced to live together in the fellowship.