Bidding on Movie Rights: The US White House and December 2020 Events

The film industry's insatiable appetite for new and interesting storylines has led many aspiring and established screenwriters to ponder the allure of movie rights for dramatizing recent events. In this article, we delve into the feasibility and current state of securing movie rights for an unprecedented period in US history, focusing on the US White House transition between November 1, 2020, and January 20, 2021.

Understanding Movie Rights and Their Application

When we talk about movie rights, it’s important to clarify what they entail. Unlike event descriptions or people's biographies, movie rights are exclusively applicable to specific written works, such as novels, screenplays, or other literary forms. These rights grant the holder the exclusive ability to adapt, produce, and distribute the work as a film.

The Potential for Screenplays

With the events leading up to and during the US presidential transition on December 20, 2020, many screenwriters and creative minds are undoubtedly digesting these events and considering how they can translate these tumultuous months into compelling narratives. Whether these scripts are derivative works of fiction or historically accurate portrayals, the sheer volume of content makes it an exciting time for the industry.

Challenges in Securing Rights

While the potential for dramatic storytelling can excite interest from various filmmakers, securing the necessary rights presents several challenges. The first is the fact that anyone can write a screenplay about these events as a work of fiction. The quality of the script doesn’t necessarily affect its potential to be produced into a movie. Therefore, no one needs to "buy" these rights in the traditional sense to produce a dramatic take on the events.

Secondly, so far, no one has created a work that purports to describe the events in a historically accurate way. If such a work does exist and it is not a screenplay, buyers might be interested in acquiring the rights to produce a movie based on it.

Who Owns These Rights?

In the absence of a publicly owned or claimable copyright, it is highly unlikely that specific individuals currently own the rights to these events. For instance, the movie rights to World War II remain open for adaptation, with numerous films being produced to this day. One possible reason for this is that the person who might reasonably claim copyright is deceased.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while the interest in dramatizing the US White House transition between November 1, 2020, and January 20, 2021, is undeniably high, the process of securing movie rights remains complex. Screenwriters must produce a compelling and credible work that can persuade potential buyers to invest in its cinematic adaptation. As more accurate and detailed works emerge, the landscape for securing these rights will continue to evolve.