Using an actual business as part of storyline.

Ralph Dobbins

I want to use a couple of big box retailers as part of my story line.
My question: should I thinly disguise the name of the businesses or just refer to the actual stores?
Billy Letts used WalMart in her novel Where the Heart Is and it was made into a movie.
Any thoughts?

_________________
The task of the writer is to make you hear, to make you feel- it is, before all, to make you see. That - and no more, and it is everything.
Joseph Conrad

crazrick · Liger Joined: 28 Mar 2008 Posts: 780

just do it! get thru the first draft, see if the script 'makes it' with the real stores in play, and let someone else figure the details about using the real stores in the real movie...

my latest uses Wal-Mart, probably 25% of scenes are set there.

just write it out!

write on!
Cool

Mike Rinaldi · Posted: Sat Jun 20, 2009 8:10 pm Post subject:

I use "burger joint" a lot instead of specific names, but sometimes there's a specific reason to mention Carl's Jr. I would say it's fine to use a specific name if it's relevant, but make up something non-specific if it's unimportant. It's also fun to make up names like "Buy More" and "Nerd Herd" though. Either way.

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auntieant · Tiger Joined: 11 Oct 2008 Posts: 193

I read a bit of advice once that pretty much boils down to: if the name of the place is important, then use it. If not, don't. If your script gets picked up, unless you are producing and directing it yourself the likelihood of it being based in McDonalds or Wal-Mart or Wendy's is very unlikely.

Plus you have to be careful about image rights etc.

If your character is just nipping in to buy a shovel, then I'd say "Wal-mart" is fine. If your film revolves around the evil managers running Wal-Mart in Wyoming you're on dicier ground.

Ralph Dobbins · Posted: Mon Jul 06, 2009 6:15 pm Post subject:

Thanks all for your sage advice.

_________________
The task of the writer is to make you hear, to make you feel- it is, before all, to make you see. That - and no more, and it is everything.
Joseph Conrad

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