I seem to recall that Eric Sevareid (sp?) served as "newscaster" during
launch sequences in THE RIGHT STUFF even though we all know that WALTER was
the real anchor. I often wondered why they didn't use actual Cronkite
footage -- probably couldn't afford the rights, or, more likely, CBS
wouldn't release them.
 
Then, during APOLLO 13, they used actual ABC coverage of the time with
anchor Frank Reynolds and Jules Bergman, their science correspondent. It
gave the picture an added touch of verisimilitude.
 
I'm CERTAIN I have seen actual newscasters in films commenting on fictional
invasions, crimes, etc. I tend to agree with the original poster that it is
a troubling practice. Using ACTUAL broadcasts about real, albeit
dramatized, events (i.e., APOLLO 13) is another story though. Does anyone
agree or disagree that these are fair game?
 
Of course, that brings up another question. Say you're using actual
television or newsreel footage of a historical event but you choose to
digitally alter the appearance of one of the people in the film -- say,
Brad Pitt as Charles Lindberg (God help us). That is, not recreate the
film, i.e., JFK, but alter it as in FORREST GUMP. Where is the line to be
drawn there?
 
____________________________________________________________
ALAN BELL                             Santa Rosa, California
============================================================
Survivor of Siamese Twins Joins Parents
                                -- Actual newspaper headline
 
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