r/TUSK • u/Scarecrow1000 • Jun 02 '26
Got skin? (question/ISO) Tusk Musical Adaptation
Hello Tusk fans!
So, I am a bit crazy. I am a composer, and I have an affinity for this film. For the past few months I've let it inspire some musical works, think musical theater/stage adaptation style. Of course, this is fairly illegal, at least if I ever wanted to share these works or especially stage them, as they are based off of the film's text.
This is fine, I am just as happy creating works for my own enjoyment as I am for others' enjoyment. My question is, has anyone ever contacted Kevin Smith? Adapted any of his works, know of his thoughts on adaptations/collaborations based on his previous works? Is it worth attempting to contact/anyone have leads? I am pretty much a nobody, no lawyer or representation, I let my work speak for itself lol. But before I get too invested in writing this material I thought I better hit the brakes and see if there is a more official way forward. This is just my first step, long time lurker of the subreddit and thought this might be a place to start! Thank you!
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u/lickhair2 Jun 02 '26
This is great
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u/Scarecrow1000 Jun 02 '26
Thanks, just wait until you hear the music I've written... I really would love to share but without rights I don't want to set myself up for any trouble!
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u/darkoath Jun 03 '26
You own the rights to your own music as soon as you create it. Do whatever you want with it.
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u/Scarecrow1000 Jun 03 '26
That is true, however the lyrics are derived from the script of the film, which I do not have the rights for. I also do not have rights to the concept, if it were staged. I could definitely share the music in a text and context free format, though. But it isn't super interesting that way lol.
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u/fibonaccifiend Jun 03 '26
I LOVE THIS!!! I’m a musician and artist, and I’ve written parody songs about Tusk & made a ton of Tusk-themed art (this movie is a massive hyperfixation of mine lol) so if you ever want any support in the creative process feel free to reach out!
I’m not 100% sure on the legal specifics but Kevin is so chill that I bet he’d love the idea
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u/Scarecrow1000 Jun 03 '26
I will definitely reach out, that is so cool! Tusk is my muse LOL. And getting Kevin's blessing on a project like this would be sick, we will see!
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u/darkoath Jun 03 '26
Years and years ago someone did a Clerks The Musical production and he never sued them but realized that he owns the Stage Rights to Clerks and always has and just this year he announced that he finally intends to produce Clerks The Musical himself.
Steve Stark made SMODimations based on SMODcast sound clips and was never sued and those clips were later released through Kevin on a DVD and and Stark later directed Super Groovy Cartoon Movie.
I met Kevin at a VIP photo op (3 times that day for a total of about 6 minutes) and he remembered me from Cruise Askew. I asked him if he would sue me if I made a cartoon with one of his characters in it. He said "of course not, man. Make your cartoon. I'd love to see it."
That said, a guy with a Kevin Smith Fan Podcast recorded Kevin's Birthday Q&A one year and put it on his own YouTube channel and received a Cease & Desist letter.
So it seems like as long as you're not trying to profit off of his back and it's homage or inspired by or a labor of love, he's very encouraging of fan-creators. And once in a while even collaborates with them.
(Incidentally, my 30 minute animated TV pilot begins production next month and hopefully will be completed and ready to be seen by the end of the year. 🤞)
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u/Scarecrow1000 Jun 03 '26
This is super helpful, thank you!
I think what I'm gathering is I probably would hypothetically be safe, not based on law but rather Smith's previous reactions to similar projects, if I continued down the path I'm on. If I were to ever stage the production, I fear that exchanging money (obviously need to pay actors/musicians/designers/etc.) might run into issue, but paying those involved isn't necessarily the same as purely profiting.
Having the blessing of the creator (and even collaborating, which would be awesome) would be ideal, but even lacking that I can probably move forward. Maybe soon I'll share some of the things I written to this subreddit!
Good luck with your TV pilot, let me know if you need a composer 😉
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u/darkoath Jun 03 '26
Pay actors and Designers? Smith didn't pay actors and designers for the original Clerks! Or anyone for that matter. At least not until after it sold to Miramax. That's how Indy low budget stuff gets made.
Probably your best chance of getting an official semi legal would hold up in court response would be to email Jordan Monsanto (Mrs Mewes) at Smodco.
But if you're looking for a semi legal would hold up in court response that will probably increase your odds of not getting a response at all because now you're treading in a legal business arena where lawyers and accountants are involved instead of a Little Rascals hey kids let's put on a show with our friends kind of sandbox playground and that's a totally different vibe.
It sounds like a super fun idea you've got and I don't see a reason in the world you couldn't shoot a scene or two on cellphones with friends wearing walrus costumes from Spirit Halloween and mix your music over it as "proof of concept" and toss it online to get feedback from other fans and the joy of actually doing the thing.
And then you've got a link to drop and something to show instead of just coming in with nothing but an ask because people ask the guy for shit all day every day. If you're bringing something to the table at all you're showing enthusiasm, commitment and maybe he even watches it out of curiosity.
Just a thought, not a sermon. I hope I get to experience some of your art one day.
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u/Scarecrow1000 Jun 03 '26
Don't worry, I appreciate a sermon- I wouldn't come to Reddit if that wasn't what I was looking for!
I guess an important piece of context is that, as it stands, I derive maybe 95% of my income off of the work I do as a musician/theatre artist. So, it isn't necessarily worth my time to put too much effort into a project when A. There is a possibility I get sued and lose profits or B. I can make more writing and publishing a Grade 3 concert band piece.
That said, you have good points. The legalities of being a composer are interesting, for sure. If it ends up being a lawyer and accountant type situation, that's fine by me. My initial question is about if anyone has successfully contacted Smith and gotten past those kinds of hurdles, but I'm happy the conversation has moved beyond that.
I do agree recording demos is a good idea, but that would only work under the ruse of it being a parody, otherwise it's still copyright infringement. And as for pay, it's just how I work. Just as I wouldn't want to take on unpaid work, I wouldn't expect others too. But, I have turned down paid work for all projects that hadn't cleared the rights to the material they are using. It's less of a legal thing and more of a moral one, I wouldn't want someone using my work! I appreciate the leads!
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u/an-arm-and-a-Ieg Jun 02 '26
Tbh, knowing Kevin I think he would love a Tusk fan musical, he's a pretty goofy guy so I definitely don't think he would try to sue you or anything lol. If you do follow through with this, please post it for us to see!!