Who killed The Last Unicorn?
Jan. 13th, 2006 12:35 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
i_kenderNot normally the sort of thing I post, but I felt strongly enough to do so:
The writer Peter S Beagle, creator of The Last Unicorn among other books, is being stiffed of a phenomenal amount of money by Granada Media. He has received NO money from the DVD and video releases of the animated film of The Last Unicorn (1982), adapted from his book. It seems unlikely he will receive any money from the upcoming live-action remake either (2006). This shows flagrant disregard for the terms of his contract. Clearly, this is wrong on so many levels... not least of which is the fact that his 100 year old mother is ill and facing expensive medical fees, which he cannot afford to pay at the moment.
Why do I care? I remember the cartoon from when I was much younger. I loved it at the time. I think I still love it. It may be one of the reasons I like fantasy so much. I've just read the book for the first time (which is great too) and bought myself a copy of the film on DVD. The idea that the writer will receive nothing from the DVD I just bought upsets me, especially as it seems he really needs some money right now.
If you're outraged, or interested to read more, please consider clicking on the following link. You can join a letter-writing campaign, or donate money towards the legal fees. Or just read about what's going on, and spread the word. Remember: evil triumphs when good people stand by and do nothing.
(http://www.conlanpress.com/youcanhelp/ )
That's it. Thanks for listening.
The writer Peter S Beagle, creator of The Last Unicorn among other books, is being stiffed of a phenomenal amount of money by Granada Media. He has received NO money from the DVD and video releases of the animated film of The Last Unicorn (1982), adapted from his book. It seems unlikely he will receive any money from the upcoming live-action remake either (2006). This shows flagrant disregard for the terms of his contract. Clearly, this is wrong on so many levels... not least of which is the fact that his 100 year old mother is ill and facing expensive medical fees, which he cannot afford to pay at the moment.
Why do I care? I remember the cartoon from when I was much younger. I loved it at the time. I think I still love it. It may be one of the reasons I like fantasy so much. I've just read the book for the first time (which is great too) and bought myself a copy of the film on DVD. The idea that the writer will receive nothing from the DVD I just bought upsets me, especially as it seems he really needs some money right now.
If you're outraged, or interested to read more, please consider clicking on the following link. You can join a letter-writing campaign, or donate money towards the legal fees. Or just read about what's going on, and spread the word. Remember: evil triumphs when good people stand by and do nothing.
(http://www.conlanpress.com/youcanhelp/ )
That's it. Thanks for listening.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2006-01-13 05:32 pm (UTC)Three minor corrections...
1) Peter hasn't received "virtually no money" from Granada for the DVD and videotape sales of THE LAST UNICORN. He has received NO money from these sales, period. And Granada is claiming that the film will have to earn at least another [i]$15-20 million[/i] -- possibly more -- before they owe him a dime. Great people.
2) Right now it doesn't look as though the Continent Films live remake is going to get off the ground. We're trying to get the rights back. IF we succeed, Peter will be actively involved in any eventual remake and absolutely get his due.
3) While it is true that Peter can't afford to meet all his Mom's medical expenses right now, I don't want anyone to think she isn't being cared for. She is. It's just that the bill Peter will have to eventually pay off keeps getting bigger and bigger. It could wind up being a burden on him for many years.
Again, thanks for spreading the word and for caring so much!
-- Connor Cochran
Business Manager for Peter S. Beagle
p.s. Love your "Baby Delirium" avatar.
no subject
Date: 2006-01-13 06:46 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-01-13 11:28 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-01-14 06:58 pm (UTC)I'm afraid that this has nothing to do with the deal he signed, and everything to do with one large media corporation (ITC) lying for years about actual costs and earnings, in order to get around Peter's contract; and another large media corporation (Granada) deciding to stand on ITC's lie until they are sued, because to do otherwise would mean giving up hundreds of thousands of dollars before they are forced to.
You can find the whole detailed story at http://www.conlanpress.com/youcanhelp.
-- Connor Cochran
no subject
Date: 2006-01-14 07:06 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-01-14 07:14 pm (UTC)Companies like Granada get away with cheating artists (as they are now doing to Peter) because they know that most artists can't put together the financial and PR resources to fight them.
That's why we've gone public. To raise awareness and call on Peter's many fans for support through donations and letterwriting. When Granada sees that their usual "stonewall until sued" tactics won't work here, things will change.
-- Connor Cochran