Using information posted on Facebook

[Zigner]

...

Hey, how'd you get your sig-line back?

 

[quincy]

Balderdash. You're not looking to help them provide for their family; you're looking to make money off someone else's pain whether they like it or not. And that's despicable.

There are some stories that can be written about another person's life and their pain that can be of great benefit to the public.

From what has been described so far by sm70911, however, I see nothing unique about the person's life and I see nothing original or creative about the storyline. In fact, it sounds to be a rather common, almost pedestrian tale.

Whatever the case, I fail to see any public benefit to be gained from the relating of this person's story or anything worth the very real risks of a lawsuit (although I suppose the damages awarded in a lawsuit could benefit this "friend" ).

 

[sm70911]

Your definition of friend is certainly an odd one. From Webster's New World Dictionary, a friend is defined as: 1. a person whom one knows well and is fond of.

Your post above indicates that you are more than willing to publicly denigrate (and even defame) your "friend" to cash in on his/her life's troubles. I see no "fondness" there.

A correction to your idea that all films and TV stories have some basis in fact: All film and TV stories are created from ideas. Some of the best authors, however, have grown stories from seeds that have germinated solely in their minds and not from facts or experience.

You have received legal advice. Now it is time for you to decide what you want to do. Whether that is to get written permission from the individual whose life you want to use as the basis for your script (as recommended), or whether that is to see a publishing law professional in your area (as recommended) or whether it is to plunge ahead with your script without a care to the legal risks you face (not recommended), it is ultimately your choice.

Thanks for the legal advice. I have an appt with a EA to discus.
As for friendship, I'm not alone in the way I feel and everyone who I know now sees this person as someone who consistently makes very bad choices. Sure you can conjure up story ideas but that's not what me and my writing partner do, and the reality is we all love to watch train wreck lives as they happen. That makes great TV, in the way Don Drapers disastrous married life or Pete Campbell's' missteps are played out in Mad Men and provide us with far more entertainment than Bert Coopers predilection for all things Japanese.

Currently we are planning on making the minimum changes necessary in order to avoid extensive litigation, however we will be consulting with Lawyers every step of the way.
Thanks again.

 

[cbg]

There are some stories that can be written about another person's life and their pain that can be of great benefit to the public.

Granted. But, like you, I see no indication that the OP forcing this story on the public over the protests of the person in question benefits anyone. I started to say, except the OP, but decided that a better qualifier would be, except the lawyer that the OP has to hire to defend him from the inevitable lawsuit.

 

[quincy]

Thanks for the legal advice. I have an appt with a EA to discus.
As for friendship, I'm not alone in the way I feel and everyone who I know now sees this person as someone who consistently makes very bad choices. Sure you can conjure up story ideas but that's not what me and my writing partner do, and the reality is we all love to watch train wreck lives as they happen. That makes great TV, in the way Don Drapers disastrous married life or Pete Campbell's' missteps are played out in Mad Men and provide us with far more entertainment than Bert Coopers predilection for all things Japanese.

Currently we are planning on making the minimum changes necessary in order to avoid extensive litigation, however we will be consulting with Lawyers every step of the way.
Thanks again.

I am happy to hear you plan to consult with a lawyer or two before you publish your story and find yourself having to consult with a lawyer or two to help you work on your defense to a lawsuit (or two).

Entertainment takes many forms and, yes, the "reality TV" watchers among us seem to like watching real people (or fictional characters) with charmed lives (or crappy lives) make wrong or stupid decisions. The difference between reality TV and the story based on a real life that you wish to publish, however, is that the participants in a reality TV show are getting paid to participate and do so voluntarily (and after signing legal documents releasing the producers from all liability). Your friend, on the other hand, is not willing to sign any release, is not a willing participant and is not getting paid to be the "star" of your story. Those are major differences.

 

[sm70911]

Look we're in the TV business. Its a job and whether you like it or not story's that have issues which are dark, and chime with peoples personal faults are invariably more successful than the warm and fuzzy ones. This is the preserve of all TV not just 'Reality TV'. Personally I prefer very dark comedy which is exactly where this is located. The reality is we know this is one idea among millions being presented so the chances are nothing will happen with it.

The person whose story this is got themselves into their current situation and no amount of friendship or help will get them out of it until they take a good look at themselves and understand why this happened. Personally you're right I couldn't give a damn, I just want them to continue so we have more and more material, because that's my business, and I'm not in it to make friends, or help and provide for anyone but my own family.

 

[Zigner]

Look we're in the TV business. Its a job and whether you like it or not story's that have issues which are dark, and chime with peoples personal faults are invariably more successful than the warm and fuzzy ones. This is the preserve of all TV not just 'Reality TV'. Personally I prefer very dark comedy which is exactly where this is located. The reality is we know this is one idea among millions being presented so the chances are nothing will happen with it.

The person whose story this is got themselves into their current situation and no amount of friendship or help will get them out of it until they take a good look at themselves and understand why this happened. Personally you're right I couldn't give a damn, I just want them to continue so we have more and more material, because that's my business, and I'm not in it to make friends, or help and provide for anyone but my own family.

So, now it's a friend, but no longer a friend, and you find it to be comedic.

Your character is still shining!

 

[sm70911]

Like a beacon !!! ... hey Im still waiting for your address, the person we are writing about is ready for your help ... LOL


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