Using Theatrical Previews for classroom...

Rick Meyer

Rick Meyer

Veteran
Hey gang-

My brother in laws father is a well respected music teacher in the Central Cali area. In fact, last year he was awarded the prestigious 'Teacher of the Year' award. He teaches 7th and 8th graders and always wants to find new ways to integrate technology with music.

He was asking me about music/film/movie scores and during our discussion we realized that a fantastic/inspiring project for his students was to utilize Hollywood film trailers to assign his students the task of rewriting the score/music that accompanies that trailer. It would give his students some great material and would also give them opportunities to focus their music talents for the film genre that really inspires them...drama, comedy, western, horror, sci fi...etc....

Could anyone please offer some insight to making this project possible? Legally is it possible? He only wants a minute long trailer but legally, even though its for a classroom, can he do it? Also, does anyone know of a site where he could download some decent quality trailers for which they can write music?

Please advise....

Thanks in advance-
Rick
 
i'm not a lawyer, but it seems like an educational endeavor like this would be fair use.
 
Also, does anyone know of a site where he could download some decent quality trailers for which they can write music?
Click to expand...

You can save the HD movie trailers from apple.com/trailers to your hard drive if you have a copy of Quicktime Pro...
 
Well, take a look at:

http://fairuse.stanford.edu/Copyright_and_Fair_Use_Overview/chapter7/index.html

If you look at the end of Section C, it would seem to indicate that the answer would be NO, assuming that a trailer is a standalone copyrighted work (it usually is).

However, if, rather than a trailer, you select a scene from a movie, or MAKE a trailer, it might be OK, as long as the length is less than 10% of the film, and doesn't represent the "heart" of the film.
 
ullanta said:
Well, take a look at:

http://fairuse.stanford.edu/Copyright_and_Fair_Use_Overview/chapter7/index.html

If you look at the end of Section C, it would seem to indicate that the answer would be NO, assuming that a trailer is a standalone copyrighted work (it usually is).
Click to expand...

Section C is just proposed guidelines, not formal ones:

In this section we discuss academic use guidelines that have been discussed and proposed, but have never been formally approved.
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As stated above, I too think this falls under fair use.
 
If you read the whole academic section, you'll see that the guidelines for academic use are LESS STRINGENT than general Fair Use. If you don't accept the academic guidelines, there's NO WAY this would be fair use.

Fair use is for criticism, commentary, or parody. Nothing else. The proposed use of trailers fits none of these categories.
 
Thanks guys for chiming in. And thanks for the links. He's an apple guy so its good to know that should he decide to move forward with this...he's got a site to go to...

I am reading section C. Its kind of confusing because I'm not sure how a movie 'trailer' fits in to the criteria of 'Fair Use' and 'Educational Purposes'.

I know David Jimerson can speak legalese. If you happen to see this thread...feel free to chime in please...

Thanks again all...very helpful links....
 
Well in my sound class our teacher had to use a student created video for us to put a sound design over.

I don't think it would fall under anything. Educational use usually only applies to viewing, not altering work. But I don't know the laws, especially not American laws.

Maybe you could ask someone from these boards to use a trailer of theirs. There's some talented people here, I'm sure you'll find something you'll like.
 
Thats a very good idea and I am/was considering that.

I figured I'd first entertain the Hollywood route because there are so many to choose from and the kids might already have some favorite movies in mind that would really inspire them. But if its not doable...you have a very good suggestion. I've seen a ton of trailers and films from board members that would be excellent!
 
This kind of thing gets done all the time. The key I would think to avoid legal issues is to not make any attempts to sell it, and don't let it out of the school or onto the internet.
 
I agree it's done frequently, and it's extremely unlikely there'll be any ramifications from doing it. I'm just saying that it's not strictly legal, since that was the question.
 
True. If the poster was initially looking to be to the letter of the law, you are very likely correct. He should find other avenues.
 
Actually, let me be precise, as well: not strictly legal UNDER FAIR USE. There are ways to obtain the legal right to do this, though they probably aren't convenient!
 
Hey All-

Again, I want to thank you for chiming in with your responses. They have been quite helpful. Ultimately, the legal line seems kinda gray so its going to be my brother-in-law's father's call.

Ultimately, he may prefer to go the safest route possible. Does anyone know where I/he could obtain copywrite-free movie trailers for such a venture? Again, its so his 7th/8th grade students can compose music to them. Or, even better, if you are here at this site and have a trailer you wouldn't mind donating for the sake of this project ALL will be welcome. I think its a good project for his students and it might be fun to see what the younger crowd/talent comes up with...

Thanks again in advance-
Rick
 
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