So say you want to write a book about the case. Or an article. Or how about a film?
Well, you COULD base it on one of the books about the case. The partially fictitious, fully self-serving HELTER SKELTER is pretty played out after that hideous TV remake a few years ago. Sanders' THE FAMILY, despite being a poorly organized checklist of events, might be a good idea, till you find out it is under option to Paramount Vantage (though with little likelihood that it gets made). There are other books out there too. Suppose you look around, realize that the upcoming books including Gypsy's, where she glosses over her crimes post-Charlie, and Tom O'Neill's ten year in the making book which tells us everything we already knew again are not for you, and instead decide to base your film on book XYZ by ABC.
Now remember, you don't HAVE to do this, simply because most of the material out there is in the publc domain. You could write an original screenplay. It doesn't have to be as bad and wrong as the MANSON GIRLS script hat Wyman and company were peddling (and still are apparently). Almost everything out there is open to the public- trial transcripts, newspapers, etc etc. You'd only have to worry that somebody who was never convicted of a crime who had a lot of money could come after you. And basically that's Melcher. And guess what- he's dead. After you're dead your reputation cannot be protected and you have no life rights. So I say go ahead and just write it kids. Or you could do like Wyman and get the life rights of someone like he did- Nancy Pittman. But why?
But suppose you really want to buy book XYZ? The normal way it works is that you give author ABC an "option". An option is a legal document that gives you the right to buy the book for a certain price during a set period of time for a small amount of money up front. For example, $10,000 for 18 months during which time at any point you can pay $300,000 for the film rights to the book. It is an option to DO something, in this case buy the book rights.
Well I recently learned that Xenon Films has optioned a book that they want to make into a film.
It is called "Will You Not Die For Me" by Tex Watson.
Fucking Hell.
This means that this company has given money to Tex Watson. A man who gleefully stabbed an almost nine month pregnant woman to death.
Charming.
I don't care whether they optioned the book for $1.00 or $10,000. They gave money to Tex Watson. They want to do his life story. Presumably how "poor" Tex was made by Charlie to commit 8 murders.
Sure they are a rinky dink company. Sure the film will likely not happen.
But there's a special place in hell for people who give money to someone like that. A hot place.
5 comments:
So.. Col why don't you write something. You once said "I know more about this case than I remember(forget)"You could truly write authentically (You have the means and connections to do so?)...I'd love to read it. I,for One, look forward to reading and/or seeing it! Do it!'Lil
who says I ain't
Well All RIGHT !
Bright side: This $$ will likely go to pay Mr. Watson's back child support, so that you taxpayers in CA won't have to.
The taxpayers of California have been paying for 40 years, and that isn't likely to end any time soon. Old Tex could live another 20 years or more. He doesn't exactly have a stress filled life walking the prison yard and sitting down to three meals a day.
I'm guessing it was unlikely his former wife was awarded child support, but maybe it'll pay the Aid to Dependent Children Welfare, Medi-Cal, California's healthcare for the indigent etc etc...all the services that probably supported his four children conceived in prison.
Regardless, it is despicable that any company would give the devil slasher killer of seven people and a full term baby money for the rights to his sick life story, pay back or not.
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