Director of Bohemian Rhapsody (Video) feels 'ripped off' by Queen.

- Bruce Gowers directed Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody 'video promo' for the BBC's Top of the Pops in 1975 and was only paid $590 for his role
- The 77-year-old said the British band has been using the footage ever since and he feels he deserves to be paid after four decades of its commercial exploitation
- He told DailyMailTV: 'The only thing that upsets me is that they have been using my video for 40 years and they have never paid me a dime or said thank you'
- Gowers added: 'The video was made for Top of the Pops and I [didn't think] it would go beyond that - certainly not be used live on stage for over 40 years'
- Bohemian Rhapsody is seen as not only the launch for Queen's global fame, but also for modern music videos – and the first step to the creation of MTV
- The British director says he is meeting with lawyers to fight Queen for millions in unpaid royalties for his role in creating the iconic video
- Gowers added: 'It changed the way music was perceived; everyone was doing videos and bands were seeing their sales and chart positions rise'


https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6329391/Director-Queens-Bohemian-Rhapsody-video-sue-British-band-millions-lost-royalties.html

Gold.

*Point number for basically sums up his legal argument (which is likely none)
He was paid a one time sum and likely the BBC if anybody owns the residuals.

But of course I don't know British copyright law

I suppose their legal team will have to look into it, but if the contract was properly executed back then he's most certainly SOL. They can always be nice to him and throw him a morsel or some recognition, but I'd say they have no legal requirement to do anything at all.

The Witcher saga writer rejected a sales percentage and instead preferred a one time <10k amount for the book rights, explicitly expressing he didn't believe they'd be successful. In a few years, the videogame series made hundreds of millions. Only recently he decided to go full-asshole mode, demanding 14 million euros in royalties and claiming that he could never have foreseen the games' success, so the initial agreement was not valid. Laughing ensued.

He was paid a directors fee.

The content of the video is a song written and performed by the artist visually depicted. If he didn't sign a royalty agreement I don't think he can claim anything. Even then the band certainly own the audio content.

He is looking at Bo Rhap, I wonder where all the other video directors who've worked on thousands of vids through the years stand. If it turns out he is owed (royalty payments) for his work then surely every director will end up being owed in the same way.

I don't know what the UK laws are, but I see no reason why anybody should be paid something else than the amount of money which was previously agreed on by both of the sides.

[QUOTE] [b]pittrek wrote:[/b]

I don't know what the UK laws are, but I see no reason why anybody should be paid something else than the amount of money which was previously agreed on by both of the sides. [/QUOTE]

Absolutely agree

I'm sure he's made some good money being interviewed for documentaries about his work directing the video. There's your residuals.

It was predictable the movie will free some vengeful genies from the lamp.
My bet was on Tim Staffell, "the original lead singer with pre-Queen trio Smile", as describes himself with an elaborate yet ambiguous formula, full of legal developments promises.
The moral recognition craving has only one cure - a lot of money.

[QUOTE] [b]aristide1 wrote:[/b]

It was predictable the movie will free some vengeful genies from the lamp.
My bet was on Tim Staffell, "the original lead singer with pre-Queen trio Smile", as describes himself with an elaborate yet ambiguous formula, full of legal developments promises.
The moral recognition craving has only one cure - a lot of money.[/QUOTE]

I thought the only cure for moral recognition craving was... moral recognition.

Anyway, Gowers has been open and honest about this. He wants money. As the saying goes, "Wish in one hand, shit in the other. See which one gets filled first."

[QUOTE] [b]Holly2003 wrote:[/b]

"Wish in one hand, shit in the other. See which one gets filled first."
[/QUOTE]

And that phrase will be on my family Xmas cards this year.

He made a few for Queen and many other artists. Like others have said it depends on the original agreement - although I doubt it says it is to be used ONLY for TOTP.He was paid for his work (I assume although that first post contradicts the payment info)


It would be a great gesture for QPL to give him something, but then who else would stick their nose in? Mick Rock for the original picture? Josef von Sternberg for the original idea? Countless other video makers who don't get points for their inclusion on Queen DVDs?

"but also for modern music videos – and the first step to the creation of MTV "

Hate this shit.

[QUOTE] [b]Holly2003 wrote:[/b]

[QUOTE] [b]Holly2003 wrote:[/b]

"Wish in one hand, shit in the other. See which one gets filled first."
[/QUOTE]

And that phrase will be on my family Xmas cards this year.
[/QUOTE]

"I'd rather shit in my hand and clap than getting another card for you. Merry Xmas!"


[QUOTE] [b]mooghead wrote:[/b]

"but also for modern music videos – and the first step to the creation of MTV "

Hate this shit.[/QUOTE]

He's a criminal then!

Funny reading his Wiki page where it says: "Gowers started his career in his native United Kingdom, where his music video for Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" brought him international recognition, leading to his relocation to the U.S. in the late 1970s."

I don't doubt that this is true so he seems to have gotten quite a lot out of it.

Music Videos aren't a form where the director is the main creative force (like they are often in the Film industry). They are hired hands who perform a role, get paid and then its done. I would, of course, be very happy in a world where everyone involved got paid more for their work but I don't see why the director should get millions while the assistant director, the camera man, or even the roadies don't get anything.