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Questions and Answers
What characterizes a story that is 'based on' a true story?
Which film is an example of a movie that is 'inspired by' a true story?
Which term implies that names and events may be fictionalized within a historical context?
What is a characteristic of scripts that are 'inspired on' true events?
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Why does Hollywood prefer true stories?
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What benefits do screenwriters gain from creating scripts based on intellectual property?
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What does the Public Domain refer to?
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Which of the following is NOT a category of true stories for screenwriters?
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What is a key difference between a script that is 'based on' a true story and one that is 'inspired by' a true story?
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Which of the following films is characterized as 'based on' a true story?
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What does 'based on true events' typically imply in a film?
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Which film exemplifies a script inspired by true events with predominantly fictional characters?
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In the context of screenwriting, what is often more desirable than true stories?
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What type of story allows for the most creative freedom among the categories discussed?
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Which of the following statements correctly describes 'inspired by' stories?
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What is a common characteristic of films that are 'based on' a true story?
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Which statement accurately describes the difference between 'inspired by' and 'based on' a true story?
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What does the term 'based on true events' suggest about character portrayal in a film?
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Which film is commonly understood to fall under the category of 'inspired on true events'?
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What factor significantly enhances a script's appeal in Hollywood beyond true stories?
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How do the creative liberties in a 'based on' true story compare to those in an 'inspired by' true story?
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Which statement best describes the concept of 'true events' in screenwriting?
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What is a key characteristic of films that are tagged as 'inspired by' true stories?
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What common misconception might exist about a story 'based on' a true story?
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Study Notes
Types of "True Stories" in Film
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Based on a true story: Characters, storylines, and scenes are primarily based on real events. Examples include 127 Hours, Schindler's List, The Right Stuff, Lincoln, and Apollo 13.
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Inspired by a true story: More creative liberties are taken, including fictional characters, events, and cherry-picking facts for cinematic impact. The Pursuit of Happiness is an example, using the core story and character to build a fictional cinematic narrative with some factual elements.
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Based on true events: Names, people, locations, and events may be fictionalized within the historical event's context. Titanic is a primary example, though it is implied rather than explicitly stated in the marketing. Fictional characters are often created as protagonists and antagonists, using historical characters to enhance the story's historical legitimacy.
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Inspired by true events: These scripts use a true event to tell a cinematic story with mostly fictional characters and macro-events. Top Gun is inspired by the U.S. Navy Fighter Weapons School, known as TOPGUN.
Intellectual Property in Film
- Public Domain: Refers to works available for anyone to use due to copyright expiration, copyright loss, death of the copyright owner, or failure to file for rights.
- Scripts based on intellectual property are often more desirable in Hollywood than those based solely on true stories.
- Disney frequently adapts stories from the public domain, such as Aladdin, Cinderella, and Frozen.
- Other famous public domain stories, like Dracula and Robin Hood, have also been adapted for film.
- Works published in the United States before 1923 are in the public domain. This means anyone can use them without permission.
- While Norse gods are in the public domain, characters based on comic book versions created by others are not.
True Stories in Screenwriting
- Based on a True Story: The script closely follows actual events, with characters and storylines largely based on reality. Examples include 127 Hours, Schindler’s List, The Right Stuff, Lincoln, and Apollo 13.
- Inspired by a True Story: Screenwriters take greater creative liberties, inventing characters and events and selecting which facts to highlight for cinematic impact. The Pursuit of Happiness is a prime example.
- Based on True Events: The story takes place within a historical event's context, but names, people, locations, and happenings may be fictionalized. Titanic exemplifies this.
- Inspired by True Events: A true event serves as inspiration for a cinematic story, but most characters and events are fictional. Top Gun is an example, inspired by the U.S. Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN).
Intellectual Property in Screenwriting
- Public Domain: Properties are free for anyone to use due to copyright expiration, copyright loss, or failure to renew copyright. Examples include stories like Aladdin, Cinderella, Frozen, Dracula, and Robin Hood.
- Copyright Expiration: Works published in the U.S. before 1923 are in the public domain, making them free to use without permission.
- Copyright Ownership: While Norse gods are public domain, characters based on copyrighted comic versions require permission.
True Stories in Film
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Based on a True Story: Scripts using this tag primarily base their characters, storylines, and scenes on real events. Examples include 127 Hours, Schindler's List, The Right Stuff, Lincoln, and Apollo 13.
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Inspired by a True Story: More freedom is allowed, with fictional characters, events, and selective facts emphasized for cinematic effect. The Pursuit of Happiness is a prime example, taking the core of a true story and character to create a primarily fictional narrative with factual elements.
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Based on True Events: Fictional names, people, locations, and events may be created within the context of historical events. Titanic exemplifies this, using "based on true events" implicitly. Screenwriters often introduce fictional characters and use real historical figures to support the story's historical validity
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Inspired by True Events: These scripts take a real event and create a cinematic story with nearly all fictional characters and fabricated events. Top Gun, though not using the tag, was inspired by the U.S.Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN).
Intellectual Property in Film
- Public Domain: Works where copyright has expired are free to use. They fall into Public Domain due to copyright expiration, loopholes, death of the copyright owner, or failure to file for or maintain rights.
- Public Domain Examples: Aladdin, Cinderella, Frozen, Dracula, and Robin Hood are examples used by Disney, although original versions are in the public domain.
- Public Domain in the US: Works published in the United States before 1923 are in the public domain and can be used freely. However, characters based on comic book versions created by someone else are still protected by copyright.
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Description
Explore the various categories of films that claim to tell true stories. This quiz will take you through different classifications, such as 'based on a true story' and 'inspired by true events,' highlighting how filmmakers balance fact and fiction. See how well you understand the distinctions in storytelling methods.
