Fair Play

[Willy Van der Linden]

It really happened to me. As you know I'm making a dramatized documentary
about life in a concentraction or transit camp during WWII. It's situated
between the Belgian towns of Brussels and Antwerp. Last month I started editing
the film. I had done quite a lot of research. I had read some books written
by historians. I found an ex-prisoner-of-war who could tell his story throughout
the film. He had to stay in Breendonk for more than 3 months together with
his father. I found a German re-enactment group in Belgium and Holland. The
prisoners-of-war, who are members of my club, had to wear clogs while digging
off the fortress. I found these in a theatre group. I also needed 4 coffins
for the execution "ceremony". They could be delivered by the president of
an other film club. He's an undertaker. To make a panoramic view of the camp
I asked the local fire brigade if I could borrow their electronic ladder.
The only expenses I had : my wife Vera was in charge of the catering. She
prepared sandwiches and one day she even offered a snack in a tavern. I also
needed 6 old Belgian uniforms. I had to hire them. Mr Schmitt was the commander-in-chief
who walked round the camp together with his German shephard all day long.
I could find a well-trained "Hound of Baskervilles". Of course I also wrote
a detailed screenplay for that film. In the film all the prisoners-of-war
are members of my club. They don't have any experience, but they did it in
a prefect way (in my opinion of course).

The secretary of our club, Freddy, offered me to make "The Making of ..."
He would be helped by an other friend called Willy Brown. But what did this
man do ? He took shots from behind my shoulder and he made his own film about
the transit camp. He moved to an other club and he already showed his rough
film over there. I was furious though I knew that this man is not one of
the best filmmakers in the world. Luckily the secretary of that club called
me the day after and he told me that Willy Brown had shown his rough film
with spectacular scenes in his club. Some weeks before I had told that secretary
about my intention. All the members of the Board of his club have now decided
to refuse Willy Brown's film in the future. That was quite a relief ! And
I also appreciate their sign of friendship.

Anyway, I don't think that similar things may happen in Britain.

[Ian Gardner]

"Willy Van der Linden" <forums@theiac.org.uk> wrote:

It really happened to me. As you know I'm making a dramatized documentary
about life in a concentraction or transit camp during WWII. It's situated
between the Belgian towns of Brussels and Antwerp. Last month I started
editing
the film. I had done quite a lot of research. I had read some books written
by historians.

Dear Willy,
What a bad thing. So sad. He was a bit of a jerk really. I`m glad his new
camera club banned it. It would have been a good film to watch. It would
have made a really good Documentary in itself. I would have loved to film
it. He could have interviewed yourself, the cast etc. I would have been livid!
What a waist.

Anyway, I don't think that similar things may happen in Britain.

Yes. In England, there is alot of double crossing in our clubs. But we won`t
go into that!!!!!!!!!

Be good Willy and keep making the films. I like your articles in the IAC`s
mag.
See you......

Ian Gardner

[Dave Watterson]

"Ian Gardner" <ian@gardner44.freeserve.co.uk> wrote:

I would have loved to film it.
[i.e. the "Making of ..." movie]

Having had the pleasure of seeing some of Ian's work I can confirm that he
would have done a good job. His show-reel includes just such a behind-the-scenes
study of a BBC arechaeology programme being made near where he lives.

Dave

[Dave Watterson]

"Willy Van der Linden" <forums@theiac.org.uk> wrote:

It really happened to me.
The secretary of our club, Freddy, offered me to make "The Making of ..."
He would be helped by an other friend called Willy Brown. But what did
this
man do ? He took shots from behind my shoulder and he made his own film
about
the transit camp. He moved to an other club and he already showed his rough
film over there.

Anyway, I don't think that similar things may happen in Britain.

I have never heard of such a blatant "theft" of someone else's hard work
in our non-commercial movie scene ... but maybe others have .

I can imagine how furious you must have been ... but I guess that since you
had an army on your side, you could apply pressure!!!

What we do get in Britain - and I have seen it internationally too - is the
same idea coming up as the basis for a movie in several places at once.
The source is often the internet.

Dave

P.S. Willy how about adding some credits to the end of your film:
"Not shot by Willy Brown."
"Not staged by Willy Brown."
"Not directed by Willy Brown."
etc.