Fair use in humor

Triangulos · Dec 21, 2007

If I write a humorous story which briefly recreates an iconic film moment (such as the motorcycle chase in The Great Escape or Ursula Andress rising out of the waves in Dr No) am I right in thinking there's no copyright worries whatsoever there? I'm thinking of just making a 'nod' to those instantly recognisable scenes in a way which makes readers go "Aha, I see what he's done there", but otherwise doesn't take anything else from the films.

Thanks,

T.

megan_d · Dec 21, 2007

You say they're instantly recognisable but both of those scenes would be lost on me. I've never even heard of Dr No! You have to be careful "in-jokes" like this, because you run the risk of alienating parts of your audience. And if part of your plot hinges of the reader's understanding of the scene...

Ageless Stranger · Dec 21, 2007

You're absolutely safe and it has been done in the past to hilarious effect-check out the city watch series by Terry P, there's a few brilliant references to dirty Harry in Guards!Guards!

L M Ashton · Dec 21, 2007

Just to offer a dissenting opinion, both of those scenes are instantly recognizable to me. Perhaps it's an age/generation thing? Part of the whole "know your audience" bit...

jchines · Dec 21, 2007

I've done it a few times with Lord of the Rings scenes. Like folks said, you should be safe, but also make sure that readers who don't catch the joke won't be confused by the scene.

Triangulos · Dec 22, 2007

Thanks all - looks like I'm safe, that's the answer I was hoping for.

T.

Triangulos · Dec 22, 2007

megan_d said:
You say they're instantly recognisable but both of those scenes would be lost on me. I've never even heard of Dr No! You have to be careful "in-jokes" like this, because you run the risk of alienating parts of your audience. And if part of your plot hinges of the reader's understanding of the scene...

Dr No was the first Bond film, early 60s I think (with the world's first Bond girl looking pretty racy for the time as she made her entrance out of the sea), and the Great Escape is a WWII POW escape film starring Steve McQueen, also from the 60s. You're right to be wary of alienating people - the references I'm making aren't vital to the story so if they go over people's heads then it won't spoil their understanding. Hopefully those who do get it will raise a smile and read on.

T.

Evaine · Dec 22, 2007

Mentioning the Great Escape motorcycle scene reminded me of the comedy programme Goodness Gracious Me!, which is written and performed by Asian comedians. They did the Steve McQueen bit in a bicycle rickshaw!
Very, very funny, and no copyright problems I'm aware of.

Stormhawk · Dec 24, 2007

Just think of it this way: if they don't recognise it, they're going to think it's original and praise you for it. ^_^

I once wrote in a scene that was a reference (ok, fine it was a ripoff) of the "running and hiding in a bookstore" scene from The Neverending Story. No one recognised it. What's familiar to you isn't necessarily familiar to someone else.

johnrobison · Dec 25, 2007

In Look Me in the Eye, I make reference to many past events, such as happenings at rock concerts. I'm aware that many readers will not have personal recollection of a KISS concert in 1979, but my story about the show may well lead someone to learn more about it and thereby expand my story beyond the book itself.

Letters from readers suggest that's true for them, too.

Based upon that, I think this: If I referenced an obscure movie, some readers would get it. Some would research it and then get it. Some would pass it by.

There's no harm in any of those things.

lfraser · Dec 25, 2007

If you do it well, it can be hilarious. An earlier poster mentioned Terry Pratchett. His Discworld series is liberally peppered with sly references to iconic film and literature moments. Shakespeare and Tolkien, Dirty Harry...the list goes on and on. Nothing is sacred. And it's very, very funny.

Fair use in humor

Triangulos

megan_d

Falling in the milk

Ageless Stranger

Dave Brubeck kicks your ass.

L M Ashton

crazy spec fic writer

jchines

Got the hang of it, here

Triangulos

Triangulos

Evaine

Stormhawk

Angry Bunny Girl

johnrobison

A Free Range Aspergian

lfraser

Bored and Frantic