Leonard Nimoy's Son Needs To Crowdfund Money For Spock Documentary... To License Photos And Videos

from the come-on-cbs-and-paramount dept

Fri, Jun 19th 2015 12:43pm — Mike Masnick

As you may have heard, Leonard Nimoy's son Adam Nimoy is working on what sounds like an incredible and touching documentary called "For the Love of Spock" -- about both the Star Trek character of Spock and about Leonard Nimoy's career (for the none of you who don't already know this, Nimoy played the iconic Mr. Spock in the TV show and movies). It had begun as a documentary just about the character of Spock, but after Leonard Nimoy passed away earlier this year, the focus has expanded to cover his life as well. It sounds really great, but Adam is trying to raise $600,000 on Kickstarter to make it happen. There are a lot of reasonable expenses included in that $600k, but one stood out to me: the need to license images and footage of Nimoy:

It will also enable us to license the hundreds of film clips and still photographs of Mr. Spock as he has appeared on television and in feature films over the last fifty years.

It's worth noting that part of the thinking behind this was to get the documentary out in time for the 50th anniversary of the original Star Trek. In other words, if anything, this documentary is only going to help draw a lot more attention to the whole Star Trek franchise which can only be good for the rightsholders. In other words, the fact that the rightsholders haven't stepped up and just granted a free license to Adam Nimoy is ridiculous and short-sighted.

Admittedly, the rights behind Star Trek are a little muddled due to the CBS/Viacom corporate split a decade ago, with each company still owning pieces. But, either way, it seems that both CBS and Viacom/Paramount Pictures should recognize that they stand to benefit greatly from having this documentary. The idea that they can't sort this out themselves and give Nimoy the photos and clips he needs seems ridiculous.

Supporting this documentary seems like a great idea -- and it sounds like much of the money will go towards all of the other important work in putting together an excellent end product. It just seems ridiculous that at least a decent chunk of the money has to be used to pay off CBS and/or Paramount to convince them to let Nimoy make a movie that will only help their own bottom line.

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Filed Under: adam nimoy, crowdfunding, documentary, leonard nimoy, licensing, spock
Companies: cbs, paramount, viacom

55 Comments

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Gumnos (profile), 19 Jun 2015 @ 12:56pm

Is there any way…
Is there any way this could be called anything other than a "Spockumentary"?
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- Anonymous Coward, 29 Jun 2015 @ 8:52pm
  
  Re: Is there any way…
  http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/587368/star-trek-mr-spock-leonard-nimoy-adam-nimoy-film-documentary -los-angeles-alcohol
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  - Anonymous Coward, 29 Jun 2015 @ 8:56pm
    
    Re: Re: Is there any way…
    Idk but this seems a jeer towards Leonard. Maybe his son only did it to be honest, no were did he say he beat him etc. So idk why he would tell people this was as such unless from spite and hate. Wouldn't want that type person making a Leonard documentary.
    [Sure his father could have possibilty done better things in relation to his son, but He could have also had a much worst father.]
    On top that Leonard encouraged so many people to bigger and better things that the article almost seems selfish of Adam
    
    Do NOT Support ADAM.
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Anonymous Coward, 19 Jun 2015 @ 1:10pm

So a rich man needs money to make a movie about his father. Shit can I has 600k to make a movie about my dad?
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- Baron von Robber, 19 Jun 2015 @ 1:46pm
  
  Re:
  How rich is he?
  
  /startwatch=enabled
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- That One Other Not So Random Guy, 19 Jun 2015 @ 2:05pm
  
  Re:
  Was your father a cultural icon?
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- PaulT (profile), 22 Jun 2015 @ 12:01am
  
  Re:
  "Shit can I has 600k to make a movie about my dad?"
  
  If you can convince people to fund your project, yes. Is your father interesting enough for people to invest that money? Once made, would that 600k be recouped by people seeing the resulting film, or would you be asking potential investors to lose their money? I hope the jealousy about the figure being raised hasn't blinded you to the fact that it's going to production costs, not into Nimoy Jr's pockets.
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- Wendy Cockcroft, 22 Jun 2015 @ 7:45am
  
  Re:
  The market will decide. People either will or won't donate the money and that is their choice. If you think your dad is interesting enough to make a documentary about, by all means put up a Kickstarter and see how you get on.
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Anonymous Coward, 19 Jun 2015 @ 1:10pm

didnt 'just granted a free license to Adam Nimoy is ridiculous and short-sighted.'

nothing other than greed involved here, as with everything that is 'entertainment industries' related!
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lfroen (profile), 19 Jun 2015 @ 1:21pm

What so ridiculous here
So he need money for license some copyrighted stuff. What's so ridiculous here?
Those photos belong CBS/Paramount and such due to high-profile nature, license cost is significant. Want make a movie - pay for it.
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- CK20XX (profile), 19 Jun 2015 @ 1:56pm
  
  Re: What so ridiculous here
  Dude, it's his freaking dad, and CBS and Paramount are missing a great opportunity for some free promotion. That anyone should have to pay that much for permission is rather unfair too, regardless of how rich one is.
  
  You always make more money and become more successful by being graceful instead of stingy. This is a kindergarten-level lesson.
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  - lfroen (profile), 20 Jun 2015 @ 12:50am
    
    Re: Re: What so ridiculous here
    Dude, his freaking dad sold rights for those videos/images while working for CBS and Paramount. There's nothing unfair here, regardless how rich he is.
    
    Did you already made more money and become more successful that CBS or Paramount? If not, please don't teach. This is kindergarten level lesson.
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    - CK20XX (profile), 20 Jun 2015 @ 8:11am
      
      Re: Re: Re: What so ridiculous here
      I really don't see why you would adopt this view at all. It sounds like you're advocating double standards for the rich, and if Leonard Nimoy's son is indeed rich, then I must admit that I find it odd that I'm forced into the position of arguing in favor of the 1% for once.
      
      We are, however, talking about an unusual and special situation here, and if a person refuses to take that into account, he just proves himself to be quite blind.
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    - Not an Electronic Rodent (profile), 20 Jun 2015 @ 10:33am
      
      Re: Re: Re: What so ridiculous here
      Dude, his freaking dad had no choice but to hand over rights for those videos/images while working for CBS and Paramount because the law was written by corporations like that to make sure a simple actor has no rights.
      There, FTFY....
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    - nasch (profile), 21 Jun 2015 @ 12:06pm
      
      Re: Re: Re: What so ridiculous here
      There's nothing unfair here, regardless how rich he is.
      
      I don't see anyone so far (haven't read all the comments yet) that it's unfair, just that it's stupid, short-sighted, and unfortunate.
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    - PaulT (profile), 22 Jun 2015 @ 12:03am
      
      Re: Re: Re: What so ridiculous here
      "Dude, his freaking dad sold rights for those videos/images while working for CBS and Paramount."
      
      That's kind of the thing being criticised here in the context of this project, do keep up.
      
      "There's nothing unfair here, regardless how rich he is."
      
      That's got nothing to do with what's being criticised here, do keep up.
      
      "Did you already made more money and become more successful that CBS or Paramount?"
      
      Did you? Why is that suddenly the qualifying metric?
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    - MrTroy (profile), 22 Jun 2015 @ 12:04am
      
      Re: Re: Re: What so ridiculous here
      Dude, his freaking dad sold rights for those videos/images while working for CBS and Paramount. There's nothing unfair here, regardless how rich he is.
      
      While CBS and Paramount have every legal right to require licensing fees for their footage for the documentary, the article is asking why they wouldn't hand over rights to the footage for free, in exchange for the timely, grassroots advertising to their franchise? That's literally the kind of advertising that money can't buy!
      
      Put another way, this is a business discussion, not a legal one. The stupidos are banking on being paid for their footage, AND the documentary working as advertising for their franchise, apparently discounting the value of any goodwill they might achieve by cooperating more directly.
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      - Wendy Cockcroft, 22 Jun 2015 @ 7:47am
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: What so ridiculous here
        Ifroen just made the case for shorter copyright terms. Adam Nimoy wouldn't have to raise as much money to cover the licencing costs if TOS was in the public domain, where it should be by now.
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Rhetorical Question, 19 Jun 2015 @ 1:22pm

Also ask why Adam Nimoy, surely well enough off to have or borrow $600K, is getting the poor to fund project that may bring him money.
I hope this falls flat and scams the contributors. Trekkism is one of the worst mental afflictions ever, stops development of the critical faculty. I'd outgrown the original series by high school. It's not science but space opera / fantasy that was convenient to film.

I see my questiion is so obvious was already asked.
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- Anonymous Coward, 19 Jun 2015 @ 1:31pm
  
  Re: Also ask why Adam Nimoy, surely well enough off to have or borrow $600K, is getting the poor to fund project that may bring him money.
  Yeah, all those scientists, engineers, physicists, pilots, and astronauts that were inspired by Star Trek... what failures they were.
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- Anonymous Coward, 19 Jun 2015 @ 1:38pm
  
  Re: Also ask why Adam Nimoy, surely well enough off to have or borrow $600K, is getting the poor to fund project that may bring him money.
  It's not science but space opera / fantasy that was convenient to film.
  
  The plotting was obviously too subtle for you, the original series were morality plays.
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- Anonymous Coward, 19 Jun 2015 @ 1:42pm
  
  Re: Also ask why Adam Nimoy, surely well enough off to have or borrow $600K, is getting the poor to fund project that may bring him money.
  Blue, let's just be honest here, it bothers you that people are successful and innovative, doesn't it? It also bothers you that others recognize useful things and respect certain people, right?
  
  So for the sake of honesty, just let it all out right now, you wish you could do something worthwhile, right? I mean you can't, but that's why you attack everyone else who does, right?
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Anonymous Coward, 19 Jun 2015 @ 5:52pm
  
  Re: Also ask why Adam Nimoy, surely well enough off to have or borrow $600K, is getting the poor to fund project that may bring him money.
  Complaining about poor people funding rich people? You mean like every time people fund your precious antipiracy schemes that never work out?
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- PaulT (profile), 22 Jun 2015 @ 12:06am
  
  Re: Also ask why Adam Nimoy, surely well enough off to have or borrow $600K, is getting the poor to fund project that may bring him money.
  "the poor"
  
  Citation needed.
  
  "I hope this falls flat and scams the contributors"
  
  Why are you such a small-minded petty man that this is what you hope for, rather than for the project to be successful and deliver exactly what the fans paying for it actually want?
  
  "Trekkism is one of the worst mental afflictions eve"
  
  Ohh... "waaah!!! People like what I don't like!". Do continue with your childish ranting on every thread, you provide free entertainment for the adults when they're not busy discussing real world issues.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
Anonymous Coward, 19 Jun 2015 @ 1:25pm

Wow, you bunch of negative Nancy sunuvabitches.
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- This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it
  
  Anonymous Coward, 19 Jun 2015 @ 1:29pm
  
  Re:
  Nimoy was worth over 45 million when he died, so you think his son who most likely got a good chunk of that money needs 600k to make a movie to profit on?
  
  Think you need to have a good look in the mirror, give your head a shake and ask if its worth begging people to pay up so you can make millions more.
  
  Your the negative nancy, ASSHOLE.
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  - Anonymous Coward, 19 Jun 2015 @ 1:48pm
    
    Re: Re:
    I do not know about US law, but in the UK, his money could still be tied up in probate, so his son may not have any access to ready funds.
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  - Baron von Robber, 19 Jun 2015 @ 1:53pm
    
    Re: Re:
    How do you know he didn't leave his money to the people of Calgary so they can afford to move somewhere decent?
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
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    Anonymous Coward, 19 Jun 2015 @ 2:10pm
    
    Re: Re:
    "Your the negative nancy, ASSHOLE."
    
    My mistake, just one negative Nancy, and he's obviously a closet gay. Come on out the closet fancy boy.
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - MrTroy (profile), 22 Jun 2015 @ 12:07am
    
    Re: Re:
    Nimoy was worth over 45 million when he died, so you think his son who most likely got a good chunk of that money needs 600k to make a movie to profit on?
    
    He's under no obligation to self-fund the movie, and you're under no obligation to fund the movie either. What's the problem?
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Anonymous Coward, 19 Jun 2015 @ 1:57pm

Well it has come out Adam is worth more then 10 million dollars and came into a bunch of money this year.

So to say he does not have it is a lie.
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- Baron von Robber, 19 Jun 2015 @ 2:00pm
  
  Re:
  You forgot to cite your source.
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- MrTroy (profile), 22 Jun 2015 @ 12:10am
  
  Re:
  Who said he doesn't have the money, and what relevance does that have to him fundraising on Kickstarter?
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
- PaulT (profile), 22 Jun 2015 @ 1:11am
  
  Re:
  "Well it has come out Adam is worth more then 10 million dollars and came into a bunch of money this year."
  
  If the same thing happened to me, I have some movie-related projects I'd love to work on, especially as having such a windfall would free me from things like a day job that would distract me from making it a reality.
  
  However, if I wanted to seek investors to help me out, would that somehow make me a hypocrite? I don't think so. Especially not if the results of the crowdfunding campaign helps me communicate the the audience for that project, get valuable feedback, gain marketing information that will help secure distribution later, etc. It's often not simply about raising $X.
  
  Besides, this argument is genuinely ridiculous whenever it's raised. It seems to be an emotional reaction to the fact that the public is being asked for funding, as opposed to a more traditional source such as a bank or high value private investors, but one not based in any kind of reality. Most projects are not funded solely from the founder's own pocket, even if he has enough in there.
  
  "So to say he does not have it is a lie."
  
  OK... who said that, though? I don't see anyone here saying it.
  
  I do, however, see people attacking someone for seeking external business funding just because he has some personal wealth, which makes no logical sense if you have any notion about how things are usually funded.
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  - Anonymous Coward, 22 Jun 2015 @ 1:55am
    
    Re: Re:
    I think it's funny how out_of_the_blue constant uses his $100 million costs to excuse the wasteful extravagance of Hollywood.
    
    But when someone wants money to make such a movie - look at him run! Run, out_of_the_blue, run!
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    - Anonymous Coward, 22 Jun 2015 @ 4:46am
      
      Re: Re: Re:
      Every successful crowd-funding project for a movie moves the 100 million dollar funding for his movie even further out of his reach.
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      - PaulT (profile), 22 Jun 2015 @ 5:06am
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re:
        "his movie"
        
        Yeah, right. I'm not sure why he's so obsessed with attacking everything this site supports and defending the kinds of movies that only multinational corporations are even attempting to make. But, I can say for sure it's not because he genuinely has a movie production that would be funded for $100 million if only crowdfunding wasn't happening.
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Anonymous Coward, 19 Jun 2015 @ 2:09pm

The source is your ass.
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- This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it
  
  Anonymous Coward, 19 Jun 2015 @ 2:11pm
  
  Re:
  "My mistake, just one negative Nancy, and he's obviously a closet gay. Come on out the closet fancy boy."
  
  "The source is your ass."
  
  Called it.
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  Baron von Robber, 19 Jun 2015 @ 2:21pm
  
  Re:
  So you're full of shit. Noted.
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Anonymous Coward, 19 Jun 2015 @ 2:19pm

And there is a problem with being gay? Do you not like Gay people?

How much more of your anti-gay hate speach can you through at me now?

Do you really want to go down this road and bring being gay into this?

This is about a rich man asking others for money to make more money.
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- This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it
  
  Anonymous Coward, 19 Jun 2015 @ 2:24pm
  
  Re:
  So report me to the authorities, by the way I'm gay you homophobic semen stain.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
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  Anonymous Coward, 19 Jun 2015 @ 2:25pm
  
  Re:
  "How much more of your anti-gay hate speach can you through at me now?"
  
  Wow, English much?
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Anonymous Coward, 19 Jun 2015 @ 2:22pm

K blue, we know you hate the gays, but this is a bit to far to go.
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Anonymous Coward, 19 Jun 2015 @ 2:53pm

Well if you can write in more than 10 languages step up.

English is not my native language, asshat.
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  Anonymous Coward, 19 Jun 2015 @ 3:30pm
  
  Re:
  They can see your stupidity from the space station. They would like you to step in front of a train or a kitten or something.
  
  You truly crack me up.
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Anonymous Coward, 19 Jun 2015 @ 3:31pm

"English is not my native language, asshat."

Yes it is, and you do it poorly.
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  Anonymous Coward, 19 Jun 2015 @ 3:40pm
  
  Re:
  proof?
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Anonymous Coward, 19 Jun 2015 @ 3:34pm

"Well if you can write in more than 10 languages step up."

Ouch, feel the burn.
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John85851 (profile), 19 Jun 2015 @ 4:08pm

Why?
Why would CBS or Paramount want to help support this when they're pouring money in the rebooted version? Yes, everyone knows Nimoy played Spock in the old series, but I'm sure the studios would prefer to promote Zachary Quinto as Spock.
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- Marcel de Jong (profile), 22 Jun 2015 @ 2:45am
  
  Re: Why?
  You're forgetting Leonard Nimoy's cameos in both movies?
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Anarchist, 20 Jun 2015 @ 2:03am

Really not joking...
If watching TV for free is truly an issue I should feel remorse about... you better start doing a better job of convicing me... because you could stop making shows right now, and I would simply find a better past time than your garbage brainwash... you have no power here... signed: 2015
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Anarchist, 20 Jun 2015 @ 2:03am

Really not joking...
If watching TV for free is truly an issue I should feel remorse about... you better start doing a better job of convicing me... because you could stop making shows right now, and I would simply find a better past time than your garbage brainwash... you have no power here... signed: 2015
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Reality bites, 20 Jun 2015 @ 10:23am

Can't expect corporate Parasites to have a brain.
Bank accounts don't think nor do they have logic.
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dogsdreams (profile), 20 Jun 2015 @ 2:33pm

CBS/Viacom aren't the only rights holders; not all others rich
A bit of reality from an entertainment lawyer. A lot, if not most, of the rights Adam needs were never owned by CBS/Viacom so they can't give the rights to him for free or otherwise. Ordinarily, many content items in a production are only licensed to the studio, and the licenses almost always contain a prohibition on the studio re-licensing the content for use in another production. It's worth noting that Adam doesn't need their permission to do the documentary, so none of the licensing budget is for that. Also, some, probably many, of the licenses are for content that CBS/Viacom never had anything to do with in the first place, and most likely a good amount of it was created or obtained for purposes of selling to the public or private collecting. It's doubtful that many, if any, are getting rich, or even making much money at all, from Leonard Nimoy content. Publicity? With very rare exceptions, even the best documentaries (which this could very well be) get very little attention, even on cable (not talking about "reality shows"). Most important, though, can anyone seriously say that the Star Trek franchise needs more publicity?
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