Amateur Babylon 5 kickstarter a possibility?

[valens_shadow]

I look forward to the new Babylon 5 big-screen movie reboot as much as anyone but I wondered about the possibility, if there were created people inclined, could people make a Babylon 5 kickstarter project? I mean legally collect money to make episodes/spin-offs/movies in the original Babylon 5 universe without legal ramifications? Presumably it would have to be non-profit but is it possible?

If it was, hypothetically, and enough funding could be produced. Would it be possible to engage original actors from the Babylon 5 universe to play their original roles in new stories? Expanding the current universe further. Even though technically they would be unofficial episodes.

[Jan]

First, let me say that I really don't have any idea what Warner Bros. would do but I've still got two pieces of advice:

First and foremost - try to get WB's permission. For two reasons. First of all, it's polite since they own it. Second of all because it's a very good possibility that Kickstarter or the others of that sort won't be willing to allow the campaign without their sanction. And thirdly, even if Kickstarter did allow the campaign, without permission, WB could shut the whole thing down. While I hate that they seem bent on letting the show founder, it's still their property and they get to say who plays with their toys.

Second, there does seem to be movement among fans wanting this sort of thing. You might want to connect with some people on this Facebook page and see where they stand on the project they were looking at a while back:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1492971234268465/

I think there's a whole lot to be done before even considering hiring the actors to play their former roles. But if you're willing to put in the work, I wish you luck.

Jan

[DaveNarn]

I'd like to see a fan film made in the B5 universe, but not a recreation of the cast.

Do you think there would be any objection to the crew of an EA Hyperion fighting the Dilgar, sort of like the Axanar Productions is doing?

Or a below decks on the station like The Red Shirt diaries does with TOS

[Jonas]

Legally speaking, this would only be possible if WB tolerated it. Chances are they wouldn't react too positively to someone doing a Kickstarter, even if the goal is ultimately nonprofit. It's still people making money off their copyright, even if they aim to reinvest that money into fan fiction.

Kickstarter is always tricky territory.

(Personally, I'm not interested in a B5 story not written by JMS.)

[Babel-17]

In the Pirkinning was a spoof/homage so it got a pass, yes?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wreck:_In_the_Pirkinning

P.S., and off topic: Speaking of such ...

http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/02/24/power-rangers-fan-film-starring-james-van-der-beek-and-katee-sackhoff-gets-dark-and-gritty

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vw5vcUPyL90

[DaveNarn]

In the Pirkinning was a spoof/homage so it got a pass, yes?

The original version is posted on youtube

All the CG was modified when Star Wreck: In the Pirkinning was for sale on iTunes.
The sets and uniforms remained the same, even the bad knock-off of Kosh.

All of their videos are pretty great
More info:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wreck

[Jan]

In the Pirkinning was a spoof/homage so it got a pass, yes?

As I recall it was a parody and so comes under different rules.

Jan

[wilbers]

There is a Star Trek (TOS) equivalent, but has got authorization from CBS/Paramount. No way of doing anything B5 related without WB prior agreement.

http://www.startrekphase2.de/en/about_us.php

Seem to get money from direct donations, not sure that kickstarter would work for something like that.

[Ubik]

There is a Star Trek (TOS) equivalent, but has got authorization from CBS/Paramount. No way of doing anything B5 related without WB prior agreement.

http://www.startrekphase2.de/en/about_us.php

Seem to get money from direct donations, not sure that kickstarter would work for something like that.

I don't see why not, Kickstarter is just a tool for gathering contributions. One bonus, is that it's actually more secure in many ways as money is only taken when the goal is reached and the production is fully funded. If it fails to reach its target, you're not out of pocket. I think there have been some instances where things have gone pear shaped, but at least Amazon take the payments, so refunds are more likely to happen.

WB seem to be quite friendly / open to fan films being made. Checking with WB first would be the smart thing to do. As long as it's totally non-profit, I can't see that they'd be too bothered. There are a million Trek fan films / series spin offs and that can only be healthy for keeping interest alive.

There was some effort made last year to co-ordinate some kind of B5 fan film but the FB group seemed to quickly degenerate into bickering about story ideas. I don't think anything has really come of it. There were some good ideas, and some utterly terrible ones. I think the project would need to be headed up by one film maker who was also a massive fan, using local contacts and friends to make it happen.

[Jonas]

Whoever did this also better be prepared for dealing with taxes for the Kickstarter! (Just because you don't plan to earn money doesn't mean you're a nonprofit.)

It's not that it couldn't be done in theory, but it would require a hell of a lot of planning.

[Jan]

It's not that it couldn't be done in theory, but it would require a hell of a lot of planning.

My bet's that no fan is going to go to all that trouble.

Jan

[Ubik]

My bet's that no fan is going to go to all that trouble.

Jan

Sadly, I think you're right.

The reason for this is that whist B5 was awesome, it never really achievd the kind of pop culture status that say, Trek did. So, by that token there are less fans, and there’s less chance of that very motivated, creative fandom that will make films. With something like Trek or Star Wars there’s that critical mass, there are so many people who out and out love it fervently, and may also have the required skills and funds to make it happen.

Some of the Trek / SW fan films are just phenomenal. But they have the sheer numbers to make it work.

[DaveNarn]

I was watching StarTrek the Motion Picture the other day at the beginning as the wolf-pack of Klingon D7 Battlcruisers are gliding in.
The awesome theme music of drums and horns and I so wanted to see instead of the energy cloud, a formation of G'Quan heavy cruisers throwing energy mines!

About that time the Federation listening post reports they've picked up the Klingons on a long range probe, saying "Who are they fighting?"

I'd buy that for a dollar