It’s just one more item in a long list of things that makes me a copyfighter…
For those unfamiliar, allow me a few moments to explain this tragic situation.
Several years ago an independent film director by the name of Fergle Gibson, over in the UK decided to make a Max Payne fan film. That’s right, from the game Max Payne. It was to be called Max Payne: Payne and Redemption.
Admittedly, I’m a fan of the game series. The gameplay is fun but the element that really makes the game shine is the gritty storytelling and narration. At times it can be downright beautiful to watch and play. The characters are fleshed out and perform like stage actors in a grand play; the impact is truly emotional and brings what would otherwise be a run of the mill, over the top, violent action shooter up to the level of art. I know that might sound a bit cheesy in saying it, but if you play it through, you will see what I mean. And if films and books can be art, why not “interactive fiction”?
But this is not a game review, this is a report on the tragic demise of an innovative and fantastic project at the hands of big content.
For three years Fergle Gibson has worked tirelessly with his team, pouring hours of his time and great amounts of his own money into creating what was looking to be one of the best fan films ever created. I’d embed a trailer here now, but 20th Century Fox has ordered them taken down.
In fact, 20th Century Fox has demanded the film never be “officially” distributed. The geniuses over in their legal team and recently threatened the independent and non profit film team with a lawsuit if the distributed the film. All trailers and images pertaining to the film had to be taken down from the site, which can be found here.
Think about that for a second. A multi-billion dollar company threatened a non-profit independent film team who would have gained nothing in the way of profit from their 20 minute fan film.
In contrast, let’s look at the most successful movie franchise of all time, Star Wars. The sheer number of Star Wars related fan literature and films available online is incomparable. The closest thing to it might be Harry Potter. Imagine if George Lucas had issued a DMCA notice against the team who produced the short “Troops.”
Again, I reiterate, the most successful film franchise in the history of the world is partially this way because the creator allowed the fans to personally and intimately interact with the source material. It’s harmless. It did not detract from his canon of work. In fact, it only helped to promote it. So one has to wonder… is the (doubtlessly overpaid) Vice President of Intellectual Property over at Fox so bored sitting behind their desk, so tired of flicking pencils at the ceiling and fiddling with paper-clips that he or she had to spin the roulette wheel of properties Fox owns, input it into Google and make life miserable for some poor sucker to alleviate the sheer monotony of their life?
I mean, I can’t think of a reasonable explanation other than being a short-sighted bully for pursuing this sort of action, because it’s either that or someone has confidence issues.
In fact, the Director of Payne and Redemption makes a very important comment on the movie’s blog; you can just feel his frustration.
I feel gutted for the fans, the actors and the entire production team that Fox have decided to try to shut us down. Countless people have invested their time, energy and money into making this independent fan film what it is…or could be, and Fox are acting like yappy little dogs, insecure and ego-mad. Big dogs don’t need to bark and bark – they know they are the big dog. They know what is a threat and what isn’t. Like George Lucas, he is a big dog, and he is not threatened by fan films. But Fox is like a little Jack Russell – guarding its bone with primal rage, without applying any thought or consideration to the issue. You see, if Fox were George Lucas, they would realise that this fan film isn’t a threat to their multi million dollar marky-mark extravaganza. How bad must their film be that they would consider a 20 minute short a threat?! If anything it serves to augment the Max Payne fan base, which in turn means that more people would want to go and see the Fox film. But now, by acting the way that they have, they are alienating a set of previously shoe-in fans, who will boycott the “official” production (although I don’t know how it can call itself “official” – I mean, Ludacris as Jim Bravura?! That’s just, well…). And I encourage it – boycott away, slag the Fox film off, because I certainly will be. No more pandering, no more peace keeping. I wipe the brown off my nose and say F*** FOX!
It’s amazing, isn’t it? And yes, Fox is working on their own Max Payne film with Mark Whalberg right now, but the project has been kicking around since 2003. Who’s to say if it’s even going to be any good. (I tend to think it will be horrible, first because Marky Mark just doesn’t fit the Max Payne role, which is more of a Clint Eastwood/Dirty Harry on meds type of character. In fact, I can’t believe they would let the character of Jim Bravura be played by Ludacris. Jim Bravura is a blustery, middle-aged white guy, seasoned from his years in the precinct. Fox seems to have no respect for the source material, unlike our director, who’s independent film seems right on the money). In fact, there are still a couple copies of the trailer kicking around Youtube. Here is one of them:
It’s my sincere hope that someone in the upper ranks of Fox with more common sense than their litigious cronies will hear about this and allow the movie the be distributed. It would be in their advantage anyways. Having done this now, they are effectively angering their built in audience. Numerous Max Payne fans have been watching and eagerly waiting for this film to be released and this is just devastating news to all of us. In this next video, a fan recounts the crushing blow and resulting frustration of this ordeal.
While Fox is at it, they might as well sue the Troops team for distributing their film, because don’t they own the rights to Cops, the series which the video spoofs?
What Fox needs to do is issue an apology and remedy the situation. The only way this can happen is if you show your support for the film and utter outrage at their actions. You can do this by spreading the word; Digg this article, submit it to other social sites like StumbleUpon, Reddit, Mixx, etc. Get the word out and
So really Fox, it comes down to two choices. Either benefit like George Lucas from your content’s fans, or utterly alienate them because of your irrational fears.
And hey, if Fox really decides to bring down the hammer and not allow them to officially distribute the film, I’m sure we’ll be seeing unofficial torrents in the near future.
A final note to all big content: you’re going to, at the very least, have to compete with free in the near future at a greater extent and the present at a lesser extent. Creative Commons is already legal and here to stay. Things like NIN’s new album (which is some of the freshest work I’ve heard in a long time) are going to be your competition. Read up on the subject at Free-culture.cc before you go and make fools of yourself again.
this sucks, i was following closely that project and its really frustrating watching Fox acting like little jelous girls