Due to the SBCTEA, the first year that all works enter public domain will be 2019, when works from 1923 become PD, or Public Domain, so unless you can find a work prior to 1923, there aren't any works going to be available as PD.
Why not consider one of the classic tragedies in a contemporary setting? Hollywood does this daily, Shakespeare, Socrates, Homer, Philo....all had great stories that can be adapted to modern themes.

Thanks JonnyMac. Hey Spot thats exactly what I was trying to find out. I thought Copywrite only lasted so long. Different for Film then ! OK Adapt a book thats out of Copyright. Sounds good. I dont want to create a Masterpiece just perhaps a few scenes with good writing to practice with and maybe get feedback on.

OK MY next contempory Masterpiece will go.

London Town . Time ( Present Day)
" Unarm eros the long days task is done and we must sleep that thou deparst hence safe does pay thy labour richly Oh off pluck off the seven fold shield of Ajax cannot keep the Battery from my heart"

.............................................................Shakespeare Anthony and cleopatra

Sorry couldent resist .

Thanks again Spot

There are in fact 100s of movies whose copyright was let expire under the old rules. Many of these are currenlty being re released by whoever thinks there is a market for them. I MIGHT be able to get a list although as considerable money was spent checking out the entire copyright situation on each movie I think the list itself is 'copyright' if you know what I mean.

The trap is that although the copyright to the movie expired the copyright to say the music used in the movie didn't as it wasn't done as work for hire. I believe all movies from Warner Bothers fall into that category. I guess in that case if you didn't use the soundtrack you'd be in the clear.

You may be able to find this information from the Library of Congress. From some of the movies now in the public domain that I've seen I'd say the studio let the copyright expire because it wasn't worth the money to renew it.

Also, there are oogles and oogles of aspiring screenwriters in the world. Look for screenwriting communities on the web. I imagine that it is not hard for an aspiring fimlmaker to hook up with an aspiring screenwriter.

Before everyone dumps on this guy this is a good way to learn the craft. Trying to start out with original everything can be a mighty daunting task as you cannot focus enough energy on each element.

I repeat I'm talking about training OK!

Take a few minutes of a classic, something noted for its production values and try to reshoot it producing a frame by frame match.

Doing it that way you will come to see how the elements combine to produce the final look and feel of the scene. You can focus on things like how the scene was lit. Then how the talent was directed, how the camera moved and then how it was cut. Then you can look at how the music enhanced the mood of the scene.

I don't think anyone is 'dumping' but rather suggesting. Imitation is how the masters learned, nothing wrong with that at all. For that purpose, you could do your own version of whatever film you wanted. It's releasing that project that becomes a problem. This is exactly how I learned the piano, sitting down with records and learning to comp them. "Michelle" from the Beatles was my first...

Thanks Everyone. so far some very good information. What im trying to do and farrs has the idea is to copy camera moves tecniques ect ec.t I dont want to make a feature at least not yet... You would need proper funding running into at least a coupla million to do a decent job. No what Im after is to pursue my hobby without treading on any ones toes.

so If I make amatuer films then Copyright free is preferable If you went to drama school this would not be an issue you could perform on stage in front of an audience without worry. I feel that here in the forum and on chienworks is like a virtual film school with some of you guys as our teachers and as a hobby is a lotta fun too.

Sometimes I would just like to use a script so that you can test yourself and see how you rate against the pros. I realise that this is really hard, but if you can even begin to come a little close then that is progress Then use what you learn in your own film.

Feedback is ls quite important to see what areas are working or not ect.

Thanks everyone this forum is such a great asset to Vegas.

Spot I have no intention of trying to sell anything at this time my motivation is purely a continuation of my hobby and releasing anything I have done is not on the cards Im not a filmmaker Im a student more a hobbyist and I do not pretend to be anything else would I seriously contemplate making a movie with a canon xm2 ? No Chance you would need real film and lets be honest here DV Cameras do not make films Unless the film is going for that sort of look or post production is raising the footage up to a very high level. Cmon I only need to look at a 35mm film to realise my place in the scheme of things and perhaps learning is a waste of time but then I guess you could say ..so is every hobby So then is life whats The point.. The point is Im having fun. Thats why I bought Vegas or is everone buying Vegas that is not into video weddings a dreamer. That could be insulting to quite a few people buying vegas. As for making a Film you need craftsmen in all the different fields of expertise perhaps with years of experience not someone who got good with a video camera and learnt a little bit (Me) I hope not to have offended anyone because I want to have a go at copying films out of copyright For Training) really not my intention Its kinda a funny to think I would take my work as anything other than very amatuer But I thought that to be understood I certainly do .

Mark,
Lots of movies are shot with GL/XM 2's. Same with XL1's and PD 150's too. The Osbournes are shot with PD 150's and XL1's, and so are many, many features we're seeing now. At the Sundance Film Fest this year, it was determined that the highest percentage of films submitted this year were shot on pro-sumer DV cams. It's not the camera, it's the PD and/or director.
Don't think for a moment that you don't have a formidible, serious camera. You do. Learning how to use it is what makes it a great tool.
Good luck!

Before I wrote that post I had just seen the latest James Bond .The cinematography, the camera lenses. Everything just plain made DV Cameras look ancient. To think one of those lenses would cost more than Ten XM2s I agree. A lot of Films are being made.

But you need Good Acters Good Sound recording Sets well anyway you Know Where Im Heading A Picture is only part You cannot get decent DOP on any Consumer Camera You cannot compete lens wise You are limited by the format to break out you need Expensive Post Facilities .Certainly Sound On a DV Camera( Not up to the job at all) These things are not down to Skill But Finances. YOU are Limited by What you can do as a one man band

. I agree we have a thriving community of semi professionals using DV and even some Program Makers that also have everything else as well (Like a real studio) But there is a difference between making Money (Professional) And not (Amatuer) I also agree that occasionly someone may come along and break all the rules So there is always hope.

Anyway that is the Message I took from you Spot And iM A realist But I know there is always that one in a million chance too and lets face it you gotta be in it to win it.

So i WILL write a script AND practice using others probably Warner Bros silents

Keep in mind that you can do a satire of a movie, book, etc. and not violate copyright--this is the only exception to my knowledge. Camera moves and such could be a part of the satire.

I also agree that occasionly someone may come along and break all the rules So there is always hope.
There is nothing "occasional" about it, which is why the laws have gotten so perverted and subjugated to whims of momentary insanity. Were it only that it was 'occasional.' If you had ANY idea of how many films were rejected from Sundance simply because it was clear that copyrights were violated, it would astound you. Remember that over 15,000 films are submitted each fall.

I am serious about the satire;
Star Wars the Musical
http://www.infauxmedia.com/swmusical/STAR_WARS-The_Musical.htm
and
http://www.thereeltodd.com/swtm/
was done on stage several times with video clips on the web for years, but
it is untouchable because it is a satire
kinda like Space Balls.

Gerge Lucas I think Im right is pretty easy going about Indie Film makers, and starwars copyright. He recognises that fans are paying the Highest Compliment when they try to emulate there Heros. And the universe they create.

Much the same way you might support a football team. Buy the paraphenalia that goes with it. Arent we all Fans.. Look up to our peers, and hope for encouragement in our evolvement through Life. For Most of us there will be no success. But lets make it easy for the people that want to participate. They have a right to share in the dream.

Even if its only a small part.