I really want to have some artwork on there. I think that it'd be possible to use public photographs, but I don't know all of the rules about copyright and all that stuff, and I'm not going to mess around with that.

But I did that outline for the cover, and I think I'll probably stick to that - at least in essence; I know that the final design will vary at some points.

Interesting it sounds, that book that CameronBlogspot compounds. In its mix, will it include any pics?

Yeah, but not too many. Most relevant pictures are copyrighted by one source or another. (I actually sent a fax to Lightstorm requesting assistance for clearance on some movie pictures. I figured I had about a .0001% chance of getting a reply, and, sure enough, I didn't.)

Most of the imagery are actually my own personal artwork and graphics explaining the effects and stuff like that.

Not right something is, a company is required to answer questions like these

No, I don't think that they're under legal obligation to respond to every single request that they get. I mean, it's a free country and all that.

Also, it's important to note that I don't think that Lightstorm actually OWNS the movies. The various studios do. Lightstorm just developed them and has profit participation. So, they wouldn't, technically, be in a position to give me clearance and that's why I was instead asking for assistance.

It would've been great if they'd helped me out, but I've gotten little or no replies from the vast majority of people I've contacted: William Wisher, Van Ling, Randall Frakes, Chuck Comisky, Glenn Darry, Ed Marsh, James Cameron, and many others. So I never expect responses, nor do I feel entitled to them. (But if anybody wants to be interviewed, please contact me!)

I stand corrected. Thats probably the reason why your emails were rejected. You must read about the photos copyrights on some various sites

I did an extensive research years ago about a copyright like this. I dont remember much, only that you can use copyrighted photos if theyre an artwork - so if its an artwork but done based on a real photo then you should be fine

Yeah, that's what I'm hoping because most of the artwork that I have in mind is modeled - at least loosely - off of real-world pictures. (It won't be just tracing or anything, but they'll be used as guides.)

My overall thinking is that, as long as I'm not egregiously hacking somebody else's work - as long as I'm adding to it and providing insight and context to it - then I'm not worried about breaking any copyright laws.