Hey fellow filmmakers,
I have a great idea for a series. I have the first script already written and on my way to finishing up the second. The basic premise is this. Short films about famous songs. For example, The first one I wrote is a movie based on the song by 2Pac "Brenda's got a baby". The one I'm currently working on is based on the Beatles song "Rocky Racoon". I'm looking for a producer that would be able to get this project off the ground. Thanks for listening.
Isn’t that what music videos do, tell visual stories of the songs?
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In a way yes. But narrative songs dont have proper structure or there are things missing. Also they usually dont include backstories or elements that would make them complete stories. Thats where i come in. I do the research about the song fill in the plot points and add dialogue. Its not a music video. Its a movie about the song using the lyrics and background as a guide. In A Rose Grew, you get to see the family dynamics that made Brenda search what she was missing from her family and escaping the abuse suffered at the hands of her abuser. So when the news flashes "Prostitute found slain". While you feel it when you hear Pac say it, but now you see her entire story so it's more impactful.
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I can see how that may be an issue and i agree with you that before it gets produced we'd have to seek advice of council, but I'm not using the lyrics in the work verbatim. I may use a line for dialogue here and there. In the case of A Rose Grew, the song itself is based on a true story, but Pac's song is different than the actual event and my story is also different than both the song and the events. In addition to that, I've added some story elements and have included characters that aren't in the song. Same thing with with the Rocky Raccoon script. My point is, while I tried to stay true to the song, I've added and changed numerous aspects of the story to where it's an original work. I didn't just copy the song. Maybe 'Inspired by songs' would be a better phrase to use.
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Hi Johnny, I know that Irv Gotti produced a something very similar for the BET network called Tales. He, like, you created episodes based on songs. I would check out his series and his interview to see who he mentioned, I know he dropped a couple of names when talking about getting this series off the ground. Good luck!
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Thanks so much. I had no idea. I will check it out!