based on true story

[Ty Fancher]

can u say a movie is 'based on a true story' if it isn't? there's nothing illegal about it, right? im not sure if this is the right place to post this. thanx

 

[Zak Forsman]

yes, you can.

 

[brianluce]

can u say a movie is 'based on a true story' if it isn't? there's nothing illegal about it, right? im not sure if this is the right place to post this. thanx

Yes but off hand I'd say you're getting started on the wrong foot. You've detroyed, right out of the gate, the underlying trust between writer and reader. Even fiction, there should be an honesty and conviction on the writer's part. It feels manipulative and cheap to me, although, I could be completely missing the boat here without knowing the story and set up.

 

[neilmcc]

I'm not sure why you'd want to. A good script is a good script. Trying to make a bad script more appealing by adding "based on a true story" won't help. And if the script is great already then don't bother.

There is also "Inspired by", but that could mean anything when you really think about it.

There are definitely no rules...

 

[Ty Fancher]

just didn't know if you could do it. i agree, it would be cheap and kinda cheesy. thanks for the info

 

[Blaine]

What does Hampton have to say about it?

 

[Zak Forsman]

somebody's been watching blade runner.

 

[MichaelP]

or Fargo...

 

[Zak Forsman]

or Fargo...

i was referring to Blaine's "Hampton Fancher" reference.

 

[alex whitmer]

Much depends on the film. If it's tongue in cheek, you could say something like 'based on a rumor', or 'based on something overheard ....'

But if it's a serious drama or of the like, I'd avoid it.

a

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