Playwriting?

Question

I'm doing a school assignment in which I have to write an original play, and we have to treat the assignment just as if we are professionals. SO if my musical has been inspired by a movie, do I have to site that and/or receive permission from the creator of the movie?

What I mean by "inspired" is that I used the basic concept. The characters, however, are all my own.

Answer 1

Original in character or not, to Present it beyond a classroom, might be something you should research as to the legality. NOT very much exists in the public domain after the early 1970's.

Certainly you have to be aware, especially in the sense of a MUSICAL, that RIPPING OFF is a common practice, IE: West Side Story/ Street Car/ Grease/ Rent/ HSM/ Chicago/ EVEN WICKED,,, etc. etc.. That doesn't mean they did anything illegal, but certainly they, at the very least BORROWED a very successful concept.

In a CONCEPT sense, you might skate, but very honestly you already admit this is not strictly ORIGINAL, though I offer you an escape clause. THERE are NO Original thoughts any longer, just original ways to express them.

As a "School" assignment, possibly never making it to a stage, perhaps your teacher has some knowledge of ethics and morality, and you should question that, directing THIS to them.

Again, and with no real offense, INSPIRED is pretty much the same as BORROWING.

At the very least connect with the owners of the "RIGHTS" and ask them.