CBS & Paramount recently released and announced the new guidelines for fan films (productions). That they are fairly limited in scope for those who seek to create as part of their passion is pretty obvious. I seek anyone who is so empassioned to provide the well reasoned and respectful feedback that Star Trek deserves.
To reach for the stars, we need to reach a little higher.
To whom it concerns, I would like to voice a sentiment regarding the posted guidelines for fan film of Star Trek, which were posted recently here(http://www.startrek.com/fan-films).
In spite of what I believe to be the best intentions, I can't help but feel that the guidelines missed the mark. In the announcement today (23-June, http://www.startrek.com/article/star-trek-fan-film-guidelines-announced), which praised the passion and dedication of the fan base. If one were to read the announcement alone, one could pick up a tone purely of the affection and reliance of both the CBS + Paramount production companies and their fan base, well deserved on both sides, in my opinion. Clicking through to the guidelines, an entirely different tone is set, one which seeks to not celebrate the multitude of IP, if it can be described in so few of letters, but rather limit and act out of a fearful caution on the part of the production companies.
To the best of my awareness, no fan created film has done so well as to endanger the IP of the source content. Even if that were proven to have occurred, it is not true in the universe created by Mr. Roddenberry. In the argument, assuming such a thing were possible, I doubt that any such craft of love and passion, as is noted in the announcement, could possibly do any lasting harm to the origin Star Trek IP and its production companies. I also challenge that such dedicated works by the fandom can only increase the popularity of the source IP. The source IP has generated far from some small amount of success, to the point that I can't imagine a time in which Star Trek either won't be held in high regard, or anything other than successful. Placing such high limitations on fan created films stifles the creative process, curtails the outpouring of the passionate, and displays a certain lack of trust, when it is undeserved.
The Star Trek universe was created to bring together a world of inclusiveness and hope. In this world, a post-scarcity economy is merely the beginning, in which the full realization of a society brought together through curiosity begets a world of exploration and an age of reason. I know full well we live in the current age, one in which capitalism and licensing are paramount, but if we're to lend credence to the world of Trek, we need to believe in a better world being possible. I'm not capable of conveying an argument of reason and logic that a beloved Jean-Luc can, but I can offer the observation that opening up the IP to fan based, non professional productions can not only not harm, but enhance the Star Trek universe and community.
It is my hope that CBS and Paramount will find the reasoned approach in removing the time restrictions on fan created films and media. I believe this to be in the best interest of their fans and of CBS and Paramount themselves.
May you live long and prosper,
Eric McCormick
life-long Star Trek fan
P.S.- you can find a copy of this open letter at: https://gist.github.com/edm00se/06257928ec5f2f9f60cc7d520afb26d4
CBS and Paramount Pictures are big believers in reasonable fan fiction and fan creativity, and, in particular, want amateur fan filmmakers to showcase their passion for Star Trek. Therefore, CBS and Paramount Pictures will not object to, or take legal action against, Star Trek fan productions that are non-professional and amateur and meet the following guidelines.
Guidelines for Avoiding Objections:
The fan production must be less than 15 minutes for a single self-contained story, or no more than 2 segments, episodes or parts, not to exceed 30 minutes total, with no additional seasons, episodes, parts, sequels or remakes.
The title of the fan production or any parts cannot include the name “Star Trek.” However, the title must contain a subtitle with the phrase: “A STAR TREK FAN PRODUCTION” in plain typeface. The fan production cannot use the term “official” in either its title or subtitle or in any marketing, promotions or social media for the fan production.
The content in the fan production must be original, not reproductions, recreations or clips from any Star Trek production. If non-Star Trek third party content is used, all necessary permissions for any third party content should be obtained in writing.
If the fan production uses commercially-available Star Trek uniforms, accessories, toys and props, these items must be official merchandise and not bootleg items or imitations of such commercially available products.
The fan production must be a real “fan” production, i.e., creators, actors and all other participants must be amateurs, cannot be compensated for their services, and cannot be currently or previously employed on any Star Trek series, films, production of DVDs or with any of CBS or Paramount Pictures’ licensees.
The fan production must be non-commercial:
CBS and Paramount Pictures do not object to limited fundraising for the creation of a fan production, whether 1 or 2 segments and consistent with these guidelines, so long as the total amount does not exceed $50,000, including all platform fees, and when the $50,000 goal is reached, all fundraising must cease.
The fan production must only be exhibited or distributed on a no-charge basis and/or shared via streaming services without generating revenue.
The fan production cannot be distributed in a physical format such as DVD or Blu-ray.
The fan production cannot be used to derive advertising revenue including, but not limited to, through for example, the use of pre or post-roll advertising, click-through advertising banners, that is associated with the fan production.
No unlicensed Star Trek-related or fan production-related merchandise or services can be offered for sale or given away as premiums, perks or rewards or in connection with the fan production fundraising.
The fan production cannot derive revenue by selling or licensing fan-created production sets, props or costumes.
The fan production must be family friendly and suitable for public presentation. Videos must not include profanity, nudity, obscenity, pornography, depictions of drugs, alcohol, tobacco, or any harmful or illegal activity, or any material that is offensive, fraudulent, defamatory, libelous, disparaging, sexually explicit, threatening, hateful, or any other inappropriate content. The content of the fan production cannot violate any individual’s right of privacy.
The fan production must display the following disclaimer in the on-screen credits of the fan productions and on any marketing material including the fan production website or page hosting the fan production:
“Star Trek and all related marks, logos and characters are solely owned by CBS Studios Inc. This fan production is not endorsed by, sponsored by, nor affiliated with CBS, Paramount Pictures, or any other Star Trek franchise, and is a non-commercial fan-made film intended for recreational use. No commercial exhibition or distribution is permitted. No alleged independent rights will be asserted against CBS or Paramount Pictures.”
Creators of fan productions must not seek to register their works, nor any elements of the works, under copyright or trademark law.
Fan productions cannot create or imply any association or endorsement by CBS or Paramount Pictures.
CBS and Paramount Pictures reserve the right to revise, revoke and/or withdraw these guidelines at any time in their own discretion. These guidelines are not a license and do not constitute approval or authorization of any fan productions or a waiver of any rights that CBS or Paramount Pictures may have with respect to fan fiction created outside of these guidelines.
We all get it. It's about money when you get right down to it. We all get it. Paramount and CBS are protecting their property and investment into the Star Trek franchise and have every right to do so. Their is no argument there. But their is a limit, and I believe Paramount, CBS and the courts have crossed a line. It is a grey one but feel it is worth noting. Its called freedom of expression, freedom of speech. All these people want to do is tell a story using the Star Trek format. Not to take away from it, but to add to it. I can understand Paramount and CBS going after anyone who uses the Star Trek Format to make a profit, that is a clear line crossed. We all get that part too. But all these people want to do is tell a story with no profit. Some more elaborately than others and some stories better than others.
Paramount and CBS it is quite unfortunate that you still do not understand the fan base of the Star Trek franchise after so many decades. It is unfortunate that you do not understand that there are 2-3-4 generations of Star Trek fans, not just in the United States but world wide. That these fans are hungry for more. It is unfortunate that Paramount and CBS are blinded by arrogance and greed. It is unfortunate by this arrogance and greed that they have been negligent to their stock holders. It is unfortunate for the stock holders of Paramount and CBS that the leadership of said companies do not understand the value of fan based shows and stories. Real value, in dollars and cents to the Star Trek franchise. It's called "FREE ADVERTISEMENT". As any business owner knows free advertisement is ultimately the best advertisement. These fan based stories, video's keep the fan base going. Helping to keep the fan base hungry for the next big film or TV series. It is unfortunate that Paramount and CBS do not embrace these individuals for telling their stories, for putting themselves out there for all to see. It is unfortunate that Paramount and CBS do not understand the courage it takes to do what they do. It is unfortunate that they did not take an active roll in cooperation with these people. In this roll they could safe guard their franchise in a multitude of ways. Without inhibiting fan based films and stories. Further enhanced the fan base and possibly make some discoveries. It is unfortunate that Paramount and CBS lack the vision of possibly finding the next Gene Roddenberry, Issac Asimov, JJ Abrams, William Shatner, Lenard Nimoy......... It is truly unfortunate that the leadership of Paramount and CBS lack the ability to see future possibilities by embracing fan based films and stories.
I hope at some point in time Paramount and CBS understand their restrictions go to far. That the leadership of Paramount and CBS have done more harm than good for their stock holders and fans of the Star Trek franchise. It's also about business 101. Keep your customers (Fans) happy and hungry for more and never turn away free advertising. These restrictions, in my opinion is a bad business move and shows an utter contempt for the fans of the Star Trek franchise and by extension Star Trek fan based films and stories.
Unfortunately a disgusted fan of both the Star Trek franchise and fan based films and stories.