Copying? Referencing??

[Jacob]

So, Yahoo has locked me out of my account 'cos it's a fucking joke of a service provider. Meaning I can't ask this VALUABLE question.

I "work" with 2 other guys and at the moment we're hashing around the ideas of sketch shows. It'll be audio, and the last one we did was like an advertisement.

I wrote out the sketch, another guy did the voice over. The other does the editing.

My issue is the last one we did, the guy doing the voice over did it in the EXACT SAME WAY as South Park's Rob Schneider ads. Same voice. Even same "It's harder than it looks" tag at the end.

So, those two are high-fiving each other, saying they've done well. Whilst I bring up the fact it's pretty much a poor rip-off of South Park.

They claim it was referencing. That it was a nod to South Park. But to me, it was just pure copying.

What do y'all think?

The script was original, like. I just don't want people listening to it thinking "Why, they're just copying from SP!" because my writing is pretty on point and I don't want their amateur bullshit bringing it down.

Discuss.

[Varrok]

Looks like ripping off, but, you know, we can't really tell without seeing it first. It's just, from the way you're describing it, it seems like copying.

[Havoc]

Are you asking from a legal point of view or from an audience point of view? Because legally I think you're fine. But an audience familiar with South Park will probably instantly make the connection and there's not much you can do about that if you use the same voice.

[Jacob]

Oh, just from an audience's perspective.

Legally I know we're sound. But, like, I don't want someone listening to my magic to be thinking it's a rip-off just 'cos he has a boner for Trey Parker (I know).

[Vlam]

Jacob, where can we see the video?

[Nate]

Aside from what other people are saying, I always think it's dangerous referencing or parodying a comedy. You can't make something funny funnier than it originally was. You'll invariably just look lame.

[Slog Bait]

If it's not intentionally meant to be a homage to SP it will likely come across as awkwardly executed to an audience that recognizes the "reference" material. But, that's to be seen, since an audience has yet to view it. I don't know the content of your skits, but if it's crude SP-like humour, then shouts of you guys ripping SP off, or copying it, are very likely and it will harm the overall quality and opinion of the final product. It's not always obvious when something's been influenced by something else, but it's always obvious when something was downright copied from something else.

If you're legally fine, I'd be more worried about what you think of it. If it feels like a rip-off or doesn't encapsulate the feel you want for the skit and assuming you have the power to say so, you have every right to just say "No, this isn't working," and tell them to record it in a different manner.

If you don't have that power, see if you can come to an agreement on how it should be re-recorded.

If they just flat out shut you down and don't even attempt to settle things in a mature and respectful manner, either bite your tongue and just cringe through the rest of the process, or just drop off the project and take your contributions with you.

[moxco]

I feel that if it stands on its own then it could easily be seen as copying. However, if you need to be familiar with the source material to understand the reference then it could be seen as a nod to South Park and you should be alright.

[Mac Sirloin]

It sounds blatantly derivative and annoying. It's one thing to have a cloying, patronizing voice similar to the one used in South Park, it's another thing entirely to overshadow the sketch you've written with an arbitrary, obnoxious reconstruction of a 'vocal gag' from more than a decade ago.

Could possibly explain to us what got you kicked off of Yahoo?

[Jacob]

"Jacob, where can we see the video?"

It's not a video, it's just a...well, it's supposed to be in the vein of radio adverts. Like, I'm fine with the material (because I wrote it, haha) just not the way it was produced. So next time we meet I'm just going to bring it up and say creative control goes to the creator, and if they want to ape, reference or parody shit...they can do it with their own material. Just not mine.

[Slugology]

You can't make something funny funnier than it originally was. You'll invariably just look lame.

I wish the people making the new Ghostbusters would understand this.

[Varrok]

I wish the people making the new Ghostbusters would understand this.

Oh gosh yes

[Jacob]

So, another add-on to this.

We are doing logos for our podcast. And the idea was to just have images of our heads, but with defining features. So one has his beard. The other his glasses. And then me with my hair etc.

The issue arises (with fucking South Park, AGAIN) that the logos we currently have are pretty lame. HOWEVER, I've recently discovered a South Park generator...and I've created (I think) really good fucking logos for us.

But...again, is this referencing or copying or what? 'cos with me...just having the heads, with no facial features as such...it doesn't rip-off South Park. But I am aware the whine I made about literally copying a SP joke into a sketch...and now I'm like "HOWEVER, LOGOS, TOTALLY FINE!!"

Thoughts on this?

[Varrok]

What kind of generator?

[Vlam]

Why aren't we allowed to see it?

[Jacob]

"What kind of generator?"

...a South Park generator...

Lol.

"Why aren't we allowed to see it?"

You can if you want, I guess.

[Vlam]

Jacob, you haven't shown a single thing.

[STM]

Jacob you're a sell-out shill with no creative backbone or solidarity. You are to failure what the French are to war-time capitulation.

Seriously though, just do what you like. Unless it's gonna get 100,000 listens what's the big deal? You can always change the logo if you want to. I'd say go for your own unique content but if you like what you've got then stick with it.

[Vlam]

Jacob, you should stop plagiarising South Park to be in peace with yourself.