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What legal rights do I have?

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appa
Posts: 2249 - Karma: 1,739
I am the subject of a documentary film that has recently been entered into the Trinity Film Festival. The producer has not contacted once about this and I have only heard about it from other sources. I feel as if I deserve recognition, however, that time has passed and now I'm simply wondering what legal rights I have in this issue. Without my consent, can he legally show this film (behind my back, mind you). Do I have legal standing to completely terminate the film? The story depicted is completely my own, true events from my life. The film was first shown at my school's film festival and has now taken on a life of its own. I feel exploited by the producer and I want to make a smart approach with the stand that I take.
If you know my identity, I request your discretion in this matter until it is resolved.
Thanks NS!
May 4 2012 5:09PM
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hot.pocket
Posts: 4225 - Karma: 10,625
You'll get a much more informative response in Media & Arts. Hopefully someone will come through in NSG.
May 4 2012 5:10PM
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JakeAssBeatClap
Posts: 6673 - Karma: 2,537
Why did they make a documentary about you if you don't mind me asking?
May 4 2012 5:13PM
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RoofDaRoofieDogg
Posts: 3090 - Karma: 1,989
You have the right to remain silent
May 4 2012 5:26PM
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paige.
Posts: 1932 - Karma: 924
did you sign an agreement when they initially were filming you? what was included in this agreement?
May 4 2012 5:43PM
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LivingColour
Posts: 1134 - Karma: 21
You have the right to go get a 12 gauge and shoot his ass through a window......or you could just talk to him about it
May 4 2012 5:47PM
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Bill.Nye
Posts: 4060 - Karma: 2,109
How do you become the topic of a documentary without knowing? Are you famous?
May 4 2012 5:48PM
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james6345789
Posts: 4763 - Karma: 467
Miranda rights are totally relevant here
May 4 2012 5:56PM
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sherwood4099
Posts: 1173 - Karma: 22
This unless it's your work you have no say if you knew and approved of being filmed
May 4 2012 5:57PM
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ryano
Posts: 4465 - Karma: 1,535
depends on what you signed when you did the shoot.
May 4 2012 5:57PM
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Lucas
Posts: 4881 - Karma: 1,575
Nothing
May 4 2012 6:02PM
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Davy.Crockett
Posts: 5373 - Karma: 324

depends wheather or not you signed something when they filmed. what is it about?

May 4 2012 6:05PM
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Mag
Posts: 8155 - Karma: 14,809
clearly a joke.
May 4 2012 6:10PM
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B.Aussie
Posts: 5852 - Karma: 4,531
If you didn't sign anything I doubt you have any rights other than your name in the credits.
May 4 2012 9:51PM
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james6345789
Posts: 4763 - Karma: 467
O RLY
May 4 2012 9:52PM
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Mag
Posts: 8155 - Karma: 14,809
Shit thought you said irrelevant
May 5 2012 3:40AM
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SteezyasPie
Posts: 1160 - Karma: 15
some relevant reading for you:

http://www.lehmannstrobel.com/files/pdfs/acquiring-story-rights.pdf

http://groups.csail.mit.edu/mac/classes/6.805/articles/privacy/Privacy_brand_warr2.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Privacy_laws_of_the_United_States

I'm assuming you are in the US.

I know that when I took a filmmaking class (in high school, so it doesn't really count), we had the opportunity to get our feature length movies broadcast on TV, and in small film festivals. We were told that in order to do that, we needed waivers signed by anyone who appeared in our movies, even if they weren't actors. So if they filmed you without your consent, I think that there's a good chance you can lawyer up and stop them from showing/distributing it any more.

good luck
May 5 2012 3:53AM
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Yeezy
Posts: 1652 - Karma: 206
you have the right to be an attorney
May 5 2012 3:59AM
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KrazyistKarl
Posts: 1725 - Karma: 599
pee in her but
May 5 2012 4:04AM
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KrazyistKarl
Posts: 1725 - Karma: 599
pee in her but
May 5 2012 4:04AM
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appa
Posts: 2249 - Karma: 1,739
wanted to make it at the time. filmer has used it for personal gain (without telling me about film festivals, awards, etc.) leaving me feeling exploited. The film is about an extremely personal life event. nothing was ever signed.
May 5 2012 9:31AM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51652 - Karma: 162,282
one million dollars?


























Click for larger image
May 5 2012 9:33AM
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dispatchQ_main
Posts: 2619 - Karma: 629
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHA
May 5 2012 9:39AM
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Smuffy
Posts: 4686 - Karma: 3,408
do you know the producer personally? and i sill think its weird he was able to make a documentary about you, without you knowing. how did you end up finding out?
May 5 2012 9:44AM
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appa
Posts: 2249 - Karma: 1,739
i do know him personally. i was a junior and he was a senior at the same high school. like i said, i wanted to make the film at first but my feelings have changed and he's not conducting himself pertaining to the film in a manner i find respectable or acceptable.
May 5 2012 9:47AM
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Dr.Powpow
Posts: 223 - Karma: 345
You have the right to have an attorney.
May 5 2012 9:51AM
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NinetyFour
Posts: 8650 - Karma: 13,409
Do you acctually show up in said film? Is your name mentions
May 5 2012 9:52AM
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NinetyFour
Posts: 8650 - Karma: 13,409
Sorry... Mobile. Is your name mentioned in this movie or? Would help if we knew in what sense you were acctually in this movie. I'm thinking if you aren't shown, and your name isn't in the film, then you would have no rights.
May 5 2012 9:55AM
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bo0b
Posts: 2964 - Karma: 996
See: The Carter
May 5 2012 10:23AM
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james6345789
Posts: 4763 - Karma: 467
Again, Miranda rights are totally relevant here
May 5 2012 12:15PM
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lineskier10
Posts: 11339 - Karma: 796
i know a way you can get him to shut his shit down for good you just have to tell me what the movie was about now im far too curious
May 5 2012 12:22PM
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Brock.
Posts: 5698 - Karma: 1,332
Honestly, just talk to the filmmaker. I don't know why you have to resort to lawful intervention at this point.

Also, link to said film please.


May 5 2012 12:51PM
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Utard
Posts: 2132 - Karma: 305
Big fuckin deal. I know that sounds bad, but you really have no rights to somebody else's intellectual property. Because you didn't film the footage, you have no say what he does with it. Unless he either A) Filmed you in a location generally considered to be private (such as your house or a bathroom) without your knowledge or consent, B) Filmed you with a camera that records audio without your knowledge or consent and you live in a state which requires mutual consent for audio recording, or C) You signed some agreement prior to the making of the documentary which gave you specific rights over the production and distribution of the documentary, you have no legal right to challenge him. Sorry that that's the way it goes but if it was that personal of an event and you were gonna make this big of a stink about it you shouldn't have let him film you in the first place.
May 5 2012 1:29PM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,404
if he is making money, he has to have a model release to use your image
May 5 2012 1:31PM
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NinetyFour
Posts: 8650 - Karma: 13,409
Have you tried talking to this guy OP?
May 5 2012 1:46PM
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DADDYlongLEGS
Posts: 1574 - Karma: 48
If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you
May 5 2012 1:48PM
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PhaedeD
Posts: 11498 - Karma: 327
just kill him.
May 5 2012 1:51PM
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mathmansam
Posts: 293 - Karma: 40
Sounds to me like the first paragraph from this link pretty much pertains exactly to this situation.  Production companies are paying big bucks for story rights nowadays. 

Disney bought the story rights for that one guy who sold his whole life and bought an island.  So I would definitely say you have some legal options OP
May 5 2012 1:52PM
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GnarshoSapian
Posts: 303 - Karma: 327
OP= Tom Wallisch
May 5 2012 1:53PM
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Utard
Posts: 2132 - Karma: 305
Dammit, I just read over that first part and it sounded pretty dick. Sorry, I didn't mean for it to come off that way.
May 5 2012 2:03PM
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SteezyasPie
Posts: 1160 - Karma: 15
He retains the rights to his life story, or events from his life though. That is, unless he signs them away/sells them. Any person who wants to create/display a depiction of his life (film/book/whatever) needs to acquire rights to the story, through licensing or purchasing them.
May 5 2012 2:50PM
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Abu_Hajaar
Posts: 2749 - Karma: 3,907
Most likely
May 5 2012 3:03PM
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appa
Posts: 2249 - Karma: 1,739
yeah man, the reason i made this thread is because i regret it........
May 5 2012 4:22PM
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scratchproteen
Posts: 5173 - Karma: 286
yeah dude...you have nothing on this kid...you wanted to do a film and you did but now your mind changed...that wouldn't hold up in court for a second.....if you don't have any proper documentation and such and you just verbally agreed to be in this kids video and your mind changed you'll get laughed at in a court case.


next time be prepared.
May 5 2012 4:53PM
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Brock.
Posts: 5698 - Karma: 1,332
Too bad, you live with your mistakes. Don't be a bitch about it.
May 5 2012 5:02PM
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AlwaysDisagrees
Posts: 248 - Karma: 45
POST THE VIDEO
May 5 2012 5:03PM
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Bateman
Posts: 8591 - Karma: 8,600
fuk u unecl dolan. i came here to post this.
May 5 2012 5:05PM
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Davy.Crockett
Posts: 5373 - Karma: 324
whats the movie called/about? im really curious now. sorry
May 5 2012 7:05PM
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NinetyFour
Posts: 8650 - Karma: 13,409
You regret what?
May 5 2012 7:12PM
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appa
Posts: 2249 - Karma: 1,739
having my story being exploited for the producer's personal gain, like going to film festivals without notifying my family or me.
May 5 2012 9:46PM
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accualyisdolan
Posts: 3295 - Karma: -192
dude ur in america. u dont even have the right to smoke weed outside breck cuz the machine owns your body.


May 5 2012 9:55PM
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