Using Starwars Pics Legal?

Hey, i was wondering if it was legal to be using pics from starwars movies and websites for films. Like is it alright if i use screnshots from the DVD for my own fan film? I would be very happy if someone could give me an answer.
I would also like to know if it is a thing that only Lucasfilm doesn't bother about, e.g. its Illigal to take pictures and such, but George Lucas Doesn't mind. Im just weary of having to go to all that bother making ships and things, that i could just take form the film.
I was also wondering if it was okay to use music fro the CD's for use in a fan film?

Thanx a Bunch, Glynnagen

 

The general rule of thumb is this: If you have to ask, it probably is.

That being said, fanfilms are already pretty much a giant copyright violation. You can use whatever you want to in creating your fanfilm, but if you want it have a chance of being hosted on TFN, you can't use stills or video from the official films.

However, almost every fanfilm uses John Williams' score. Just don't use Duel of Fates or Battle of Heroes. You'll be lynched.



Welcome to TFN!!!

Nyar.

 

Would you then say it would be morally wrong if i was to make a fan film for my own and friends purposes, even if i wasn't actually going to send it to a website (e.g. TFN)

And if not, then is there a place i could get my hands on some legal pics and things to use for 2d space flights and stuff, it would be fun. I Use premiere elements for SPace flights just cause its easy and fun...

Thanx

 

Morally? Well, that's up to you, really. I'm not going to hand you my morals - or anyone else's for that matter - and tell you to live by them.

If it's just for you and your friends, and you don't intend on hosting it anywhere, do whatever you want. If you want to get it hosted, follow the guidelines.

Oh, yeah, one last thing: If you make any money from your film, in any way, shape or form, you're in trouble. So don't.

Other than that, you're good.

Nyar.

 

TFN will not host anything with any footage/images from any actual LucasFilm/Arts product.
However, for some reason they turned a blind eye for Emergence of the Sith and let them do it.

 

There are certain laws which allow for you to use copyrighted images/etc. in your own work

Usually, if you've altered it in some way to make it 'original' you shouldn't have to worry. (Like if you were to digitally alter the Mona Lisa and print it out. Just don't try and sell it, lol.)

However, putting copyrighted material online so the masses can download it is definitely something you can't do, and since TF.N is a frequently traversed website, they would most likely get some flak for hosting works with copyrighted portions.


And so on.
USUALLY there won't be a problem, but just be careful when it comes time to put it online.


-Vaportrail

 

I could be wrong, but I was pretty sure some TFN films have images from the official films in them. No video clips, though, save the explosion cut from ANH and pasted into TESBY and stuff like that.

 

The fan trailers hosted by TFN use things from the official films.

 

TFN places trailers and music videos in a different boat than fanfilms, though...

 

And those are all older films, back when standards were looser and Lucasfilm wasn't paying as much attention.

These days, tho, the rule is simple. If your submission doesn't have a license or permission to use footage from another source included in a submission, it ain't getting hosted on TFN...

Fenn

 

Wasn't there a fanfilm about Mara Jade (I think) that got in trouble for using stills of the Throne Room in ROTJ for a matte painting?

And like that...he's gone.

 

Actually... That's an incredibly strong point. PixelMagic had his trailer hosted for a few weeks, until it got downloaded a few million times. Not only did that have actual footage horked off of Hyperspace, but there wasn't a single credit for anything in the entire trailer.

And that was only a few months ago...

I'd like someone to clarify what made that film different.

All due respect to PixelMagic (for some excellent work) and TFN (it is their site, no matter what).

 

My suggestion would be too use parts of official films, but just add silly mustaches to all the characters, thus being able to be hosted.

 

Well the thing is i want to do a film using like jedi starfighters and stuff, and because i dont know how to do 3d animating, or can be bothered i use 2d pics, in premiere and stuff. So if i wanted a jedi starfigher do you think it would be alright if i cut out ships from the movies to use in my film. I am NOT planning to POST it on the net, probably just send it to friends.

I am also aware of the rules according to sale of copyright materials, u'de be in deep
****. Is music also out of the question? If i wasn't going to post it. Isn't there a law bypassing copyright if its for personal use? WOuld that still apply if i showed it to friends?

ANYWAYS! Thanx for all your comments!

from Glynnagen

 

If you're just going to be showing it to friends you can pretty much do what you like - the copyright stuff in regards to the video really only applies to distribution of the video online. If you were to send a DVD to your friend and they kept it to themselves nobody is going to give you trouble.

Hope that helps!

 

Thanxamundo!

Any other comments on this subject would be great, 'love' a good discussion

Cheers from Glynnagen

 

I would actually still like the staff (that is, the ones who choose the films and set the acceptable criteria) to respond to my last question.

I'll state it again...


On one hand, Fenn says that there is no allowance at all for copyrighted material to be used. On the other hand, PixelMagic's trailer (which IS A FILM), used actual LucasFilm footage taken from Hyperspace, and was hosted for a few weeks.
Not only that, but there was no credits in the thing whatsoever. By all accounts he didn't give props to even the actor's likenesses being used...

Side note: No one could possibly deny that it was a fantastic piece of work. And obviously a HUGE amount of work was done by PixelMagic that was NOT taken from LucasFilm (the lava FX, the models, etc...)

But, still... Clearly this is something that is very confusing to anyone who wants to submit their work for acceptance. And this is why I bring it up. I'm not trying to stir the waters or anything. I think some clarification is in order.

And, btw... Don't anyone be confused by my staff title. My staff-ness has nothing to do with the film acceptance. My responsibilities are totally unrelated. And, I am speaking as a forum member, and a forum member only.

 

I would never have accepted PixelMagic's trailer for hosting on TFN, and *I* didn't - not because of the quality, but because of the origin of the footage...

However, I'll state it again, since apparently you didn't read it last time - I don't know how I can make it any clearer... if a submission doesn't have a license to use or permission to use footage from any other source included in that submission, it ain't getting hosted on TFN... period.

End of line.

 

Yes, John, I did read it the first time. And, I still saw a contradiction. I was under the impression that you all decided as a team what got hosted.

So, I wasn't making any accusations of you personally. I was asking the entire selection commitee what was different about that film.

You've answered my question now. And, if I were you, I would now be asking that question of whomever it was that DID decide to host the film. You must realize that that film got a few million downloads in only a couple of weeks. Don't you think that that puts TFN at some risk - or at least it did at the time?

 

I was wondering about this exact issue too; I had an idea of doing flashbacks by using some footage from ROTJ... if nobody hosts it, it still would be a fun film to make. I say, just use your creativity. If it's good, then people will want to see it. Making fanfilms is all imaginative muscle work anyway...as long as you are not making money.

 

Hey again, i made a film using pictures of my lego starwars jedi STarfighter, and put me and my friend in them and stuff. WOuld that be legal, strictly speaking? If i was to try and do something to be posted on the net using STarwars Lego pics, taken by me, would that be okay?


Thanks again...