Fictitious phone numbers ???

stinkpot

stinkpot

Well-known member
I know there are legal issues with putting a phone number in your script/movie that could possibly be a "real" number. Does anyone know of standard number prefixes that are commonly used for just such a scenario?
 
Yeah it is even what all the big hollywood movies do. There are work arounds if you can work it in, like 555 doesn't sound too bad if you dont see the number but they just type it into the phone and you hear the key tones. In dialogue you can say things instead of call me at 555- " you can be like call me at this number, and write it down.
 
I know this seems stupid but I was hoping for more choices than 555... trying to do a commercial (within a movie) that displays and announces a toll-free number such as 1-800-BLA-BLAH. Since I want to keep my text reference, I can't use 1-800 or 1-888... and 1-555 followed by 7 letters doesn't really have that "toll-free" feel to it.

Is 555 the only one? I ask because 666 is actually used by Ma Bell.

Thanks for the input.
 
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Just put any number in.

If/when the script goes into production legal will look over the script for things like that to change.

EJ
 
Why fictitious; you could just buy a prepaid phone (for like $30 w/o service plan) and use its number.
 
Now that I think of it, that's a really cool idea. Buy the number, keep it forever, and use it to promote the film. Have an recorded message when someone calls (and they will, if they watch the movie) and have it be the character from the movie saying he's not in, he went to go see the movie but will be back later. Something like that.
Lot's of possibilities. That's actually a great idea! Thanks!
 
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Or (instead of a character answering the phone), you could just promote the movie or whatever with the number... Like a hotline, but it can be as if your listening to a movie trailer on the radio haha
 
Why not just sign up for PrivatePhone? (http://www.privatephone.com/)

The "basic" plan is free -- you have to login every month or so, but so what?

The nice thing about this service is that you can get your number in almost any area code, so your film can be more realistic by actually featuring a number that could occur in the area your characters are in.
 
I don't know about the legality of this, but what about using a payphone number. At least if people call the number, the fact that it's a payphone should mean it's less likely to inconvenience anyone.
 
Problem with something like that is, someday that number may be reassigned, and it might get assigned to an individual's house or somewhere...
 
I think if you could locate the incoming number for a telemarketing company, that would be a good number to use...

Kills two birds with one stone - floods the telemarketing company with useless calls, and then helps them to capture the phone numbers of morons who call telephone numbers used in movies.
 
Just use 555 as the prefix, the area code doesn't matter. You're trying to re-invent the wheel. If you still want to use a private number, ask an entertainment attorney. They'll tell you to use 555 and charge you $90.
 
I can recall several movies who have used that idea, (A real number they purchased) it's great for marketing and promotion and gives an authentic feel to the story. I presonally am sick of 555 numbers,
 
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