Theory Section

[rallytbk]

There's a difference between story ideas and speculation based on what has been seen. Read this post by JMS for some information about common-law copyright.

Oh! Now I understand.

Why does no story ideas restrict you to only posting what's bad about a show or movie?

Jan

I guess your right, but it is frustratingà

Just asking your opinion, donÆt you think movies today have lowered themselves in plot, character development and plain old sense?

Example: Mars Attacks and War of the Worlds, two movies involving alien invasions with big differences. The differences to me are that ôMars Attacksö spoofs alien invasion movies and continues that theme to a respectable ending. ôWar of the Worldsö had a high expectation of being an alien invasion movie based on the radio version, and it was badly doneà as I said too many disappointments.

[Jan]

Sad that this is going to court, but a lot of people are coming to the same conclusions for ôLostö, are they also going to sue just because they suspected the same events expected, before the actual shows aired?

There's a difference between story ideas and speculation based on what has been seen. For instance, if it's been shown that Morden is afraid of green penguins, it's speculation to discuss whether green penguins will be used against him. If you start saying you'd like to see a story about Morden and blue platypusses (platypi?) hatching a plot agains Ivanova, that's a story idea.

And that is why this site should post a warning/noticeà

Wouldn't help. Read this post by JMS for some information about commonlaw copyright.

True, put some legalize on this site that states postings belong to this site for fun and/or profit. If every bulletin board posted this notice I think free discussion of thoughts would overwhelm the non-posted fan fic sites.

As far as I know, there's no reason why you can't discuss anything OTHER than JMS projects here any way you like. Each site will have it's rules and guidelines, just as we have here. You've got to understand that pretty much any creator who'd like to interract with fans online is going to have this sort of rule, like it or not.

My problem is too many disappointmentsà I just donÆt want to continue posting what is bad about a show or movie for fear of being a nitpicker. Movies are great, but a movie gets better when fans have some input and participation

Why does no story ideas restrict you to only posting what's bad about a show or movie?

Jan

[rallytbk]

Because common sense and the law are two different things. In fact, I read that "Lost" *is* being sued à due to fan fic issues.

Sad that this is going to court, but a lot of people are coming to the same conclusions for ôLostö, are they also going to sue just because they suspected the same events expected, before the actual shows aired?

Thing is, the suing party doesn't have to win to make the fear of lawsuit just not worth the risk for writers. Consider that only the top 2 or 3 percent of WGA members make more than $100,000 per year and then figure that a serious lawsuit will cost that much to defend against. Winning is no bargain at those rates... except for the lawyers, of course.

Jan

And that is why this site should post a warning/noticeà

This site should warn users that ôanything posted to this site belong to this site and can be used by other writers for fun or profit, blah, blah, blahö

True, put some legalize on this site that states postings belong to this site for fun and/or profit. If every bulletin board posted this notice I think free discussion of thoughts would overwhelm the non-posted fan fic sites.

I have no problem theorizing or posting my thoughts on a subjectà If it is used on a future Babylon 5 or other sci fi projects then screw it! I am not a professional writer or a person in that industry, so I donÆt care about credits. People who strive to be professional writers should not be posting story ideas on the web anyway.

My problem is too many disappointmentsà I just donÆt want to continue posting what is bad about a show or movie for fear of being a nitpicker. Movies are great, but a movie gets better when fans have some input and participation

[Jan]

Screw it, if a few nerd boys theorize the direction of a show, book or movie and come to the same conclusion as some of the writers. Why should the writers fear for their writing and hide the obvious conclusions?

Because common sense and the law are two different things. In fact, I read that "Lost" *is* being sued because a writer back in the 70s allegedly proposed a similar series. Marion Zimmer Bradley (I think it was) had an entire book scuttled by her publisher *after it had been written* due to fan fic issues. And of course there's the story of how 'Passing Through Gethsemane' was held up for a year after a poster proposed a story similar to it where JMS could see it.

Thing is, the suing party doesn't have to win to make the fear of lawsuit just not worth the risk for writers. Consider that only the top 2 or 3 percent of WGA members make more than $100,000 per year and then figure that a serious lawsuit will cost that much to defend against. Winning is no bargain at those rates... except for the lawyers, of course.

Jan

[rallytbk]

I really wish that were not the caseà With new membership asking the same questions, making the same theories over and over again. I really wish writers and publishers would read this stuff and give people what they want. Screw it, if a few nerd boys theorize the direction of a show, book or movie and come to the same conclusion as some of the writers. Why should the writers fear for their writing and hide the obvious conclusions?

Would you kill the show ôLostö simply, because too many people are taking about it?

This site should warn users that ôanything posted to this site belong to this site and can be used by other writers for fun or profit, blah, blah, blahö

ThatÆs just my thoughts; let me know how you guys feel about it.

[Ex: Terminator 3 was garbage, because people posted story lines and fan fic killing any original scripts submitted at the time]

Warn the users that their posts belong to this site and you will see the fan boys stop writing fan fiction.

My only reservation about that is that with "theory posts", there is generally the anticipation of the next part of the story coming out and either confirming or debunking the theories. Currently, there are no plans for more B5 projects in the works. With the Wheel of Time, there is a new book due out quite soon, which, btw, looks to pick up the action a bit, if the prologue that was published with the paperback of "New Spring" is any indication.

I have no problem with such a part, but I believe that most of the turf there has already been mowed.

That and...okay, maybe I'm lazy but that sort of thing would need constant monitoring for story ideas (assuming we're talking about B5 theories). If it's in the Off Topic section and concerns other shows etc., then go for it!

Jan
who really appreciates how easy her 'job' here is!!!

[AaronB]

My only reservation about that is that with "theory posts", there is generally the anticipation of the next part of the story coming out and either confirming or debunking the theories. Currently, there are no plans for more B5 projects in the works. With the Wheel of Time, there is a new book due out quite soon, which, btw, looks to pick up the action a bit, if the prologue that was published with the paperback of "New Spring" is any indication.

I have no problem with such a part, but I believe that most of the turf there has already been mowed.

I have to order my copy....

[Jan]

I have no problem with such a part, but I believe that most of the turf there has already been mowed.

That and...okay, maybe I'm lazy but that sort of thing would need constant monitoring for story ideas (assuming we're talking about B5 theories). If it's in the Off Topic section and concerns other shows etc., then go for it!

Jan
who really appreciates how easy her 'job' here is!!!

[SpooRancher]

My only reservation about that is that with "theory posts", there is generally the anticipation of the next part of the story coming out and either confirming or debunking the theories. Currently, there are no plans for more B5 projects in the works. With the Wheel of Time, there is a new book due out quite soon, which, btw, looks to pick up the action a bit, if the prologue that was published with the paperback of "New Spring" is any indication.

I have no problem with such a part, but I believe that most of the turf there has already been mowed.

[AaronB]

I just read through the Is Jeffrey Sinclair really David Sheridan? thread and had a thought (and we all know how dangerous those can be...). On another fan site that I frequent (wotmania) there is a section of the site where different theories can be discussed and voted on (approve or disapprove). Understanding that the engines for the sites are different, can we do something similar here? I think that it would be a fun and active part of the site.