“Scare Tactics” co-creator Scott Hallock has filed a copyright infringement lawsuit over the Netflix show “Prank Encounters,” saying his former partner had no right to create a show similar to their original.
Hallock filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday against Kevin Healey and Propagate Content, the producers of “Prank Encounters,” which premiered last year and was hosted by “Stranger Things” star Gaten Matarazzo. (Netflix is not a named defendant in the lawsuit).
In the lawsuit, Hallock says when he and Healey parted ways in 2016, Healey signed over all his rights to “Scare Tactics” — a scripted comedy/horror hidden camera television show that began production in 2002 and ran for five seasons on Syfy.
Also Read: Katy Perry Wins Appeal in 'Dark Horse' Copyright Infringement Case
Hallock says that Healey eventually went to work at Propagate and later created “Prank Encounters.” According to Hallock, the new show used a number of...
Hallock filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday against Kevin Healey and Propagate Content, the producers of “Prank Encounters,” which premiered last year and was hosted by “Stranger Things” star Gaten Matarazzo. (Netflix is not a named defendant in the lawsuit).
In the lawsuit, Hallock says when he and Healey parted ways in 2016, Healey signed over all his rights to “Scare Tactics” — a scripted comedy/horror hidden camera television show that began production in 2002 and ran for five seasons on Syfy.
Also Read: Katy Perry Wins Appeal in 'Dark Horse' Copyright Infringement Case
Hallock says that Healey eventually went to work at Propagate and later created “Prank Encounters.” According to Hallock, the new show used a number of...
- 3/25/2020
- by Daniel Goldblatt
- The Wrap
They grow up so fast. It seems like only yesterday that the SciFi Channel was a toddler, and now look at it. It changed its name as a teen, getting all independent and calling itself Syfy, and is now moving into its twenties with confidence. It’s even throwing its own birthday party:
Syfy Will Celebrate Two Decades Of Imaginative Entertainment With Star-studded Syfy 20th Anniversary Special, Premiering Monday, December 10 At 9Pm Features Talent From Alphas, Battlestar Galactica, Being Human, Caprica, Defiance, Eureka, Farscape, Haven, Lost Girl, Sanctuary, Stargate: SG1 And Warehouse 13 Plus Hosts Of Destination Truth, Face Off, Ghost Hunters And Total Blackout
New York – November 27, 2012 – Happy Birthday, Syfy! On Monday, December 10 at 9Pm (Et/Pt), the Channel will celebrate two decades of award-winning, imaginative entertainment programming during the star-studded Syfy 20th Anniversary Special.
From iconic series such as Farscape, Battlestar Galactica and Warehouse 13 to Ghost Hunters,...
Syfy Will Celebrate Two Decades Of Imaginative Entertainment With Star-studded Syfy 20th Anniversary Special, Premiering Monday, December 10 At 9Pm Features Talent From Alphas, Battlestar Galactica, Being Human, Caprica, Defiance, Eureka, Farscape, Haven, Lost Girl, Sanctuary, Stargate: SG1 And Warehouse 13 Plus Hosts Of Destination Truth, Face Off, Ghost Hunters And Total Blackout
New York – November 27, 2012 – Happy Birthday, Syfy! On Monday, December 10 at 9Pm (Et/Pt), the Channel will celebrate two decades of award-winning, imaginative entertainment programming during the star-studded Syfy 20th Anniversary Special.
From iconic series such as Farscape, Battlestar Galactica and Warehouse 13 to Ghost Hunters,...
- 11/29/2012
- by Erin Willard
- ScifiMafia
Two aspiring show creators launched a lawsuit against TruTV today for supposedly lifting their idea for a series about shoplifters. In their suit (read it here) Harry Dunn and Steven Bloch say that in March 2008 they pitched TrueTV a show called Hands Off The Merchandise about identifying and catching shoplifters for retailers. Actually, the duo, who say they came up with the idea for the show, didn’t actually engage with the network. Producers Scott Hallock and Kevin Healey, with whom Dunn and Bloch signed a collaboration agreement, did that for them. In 2009, after various meetings and “enthusiasm,” as the suit puts it, on the network’s part, TruTV told Hallock and Healey that they were going to pass on the idea. The producers passed the bad news onto Bloch and Dunn. In February 2012, TruTV ran a special called Caught Red Handed. The network plans to air a series of...
- 10/31/2012
- by DOMINIC PATTEN
- Deadline TV
We at Blogomatic3000 like a good scare now and again and love nothing more than a good prank, so SyFy’s hit reality prank series Scare Tactics hosted by Tracy Morgan is right up our alley! We talked to producer Steve Hallock about what kind of wild pranks we can expect from this season!
Aaron M.K.: Hello, how are you today, Mr. Hallock?
Scott Hallock: Great, Aaron, how about you?
Aaron M.K.: I’m doing good! Our fans are really excited about the new season of Scare Tactics.
Scott Hallock: Great!
Aaron M.K.: What kind of pranks will they be seeing this season?
Scott Hallock: Very funny ones! I’ll tell you what kind of pranks we’ll be seeing. I mentioned [one eariler] that Tracy will actually be appearing in in the premiere episode. [Let me give some examples.]
One thing you can’t escape on television...
Aaron M.K.: Hello, how are you today, Mr. Hallock?
Scott Hallock: Great, Aaron, how about you?
Aaron M.K.: I’m doing good! Our fans are really excited about the new season of Scare Tactics.
Scott Hallock: Great!
Aaron M.K.: What kind of pranks will they be seeing this season?
Scott Hallock: Very funny ones! I’ll tell you what kind of pranks we’ll be seeing. I mentioned [one eariler] that Tracy will actually be appearing in in the premiere episode. [Let me give some examples.]
One thing you can’t escape on television...
- 10/9/2011
- by Phil
- Nerdly
Photo by IsabellaVosmikova/Syfy
Each week on the Syfy series Fact or Faked, Ben Hansen and his teamset out to prove whether or not an unsolved mystery has any basis in reality ornot. Among the topics they’ve covered are Sasquatch, the Lunar Landing and awhole slew of alien visitations. But in a recent conference call interview Benrevealed that as the series has evolved, he’s had to take a look at his ownbelief system along the way.
Being exposed to bogus scenarios ona regular basis has affected the way Hansen looks at the world at large. “I dohave a little bit of sense of being jaded. I didn't know there were so manyhoaxes out there until we actually got into making this TV program. I really wouldlike to sit down and watch a video on YouTube and believe there's maybe a 90%possibility this is exactly what somebody filmed or...
Each week on the Syfy series Fact or Faked, Ben Hansen and his teamset out to prove whether or not an unsolved mystery has any basis in reality ornot. Among the topics they’ve covered are Sasquatch, the Lunar Landing and awhole slew of alien visitations. But in a recent conference call interview Benrevealed that as the series has evolved, he’s had to take a look at his ownbelief system along the way.
Being exposed to bogus scenarios ona regular basis has affected the way Hansen looks at the world at large. “I dohave a little bit of sense of being jaded. I didn't know there were so manyhoaxes out there until we actually got into making this TV program. I really wouldlike to sit down and watch a video on YouTube and believe there's maybe a 90%possibility this is exactly what somebody filmed or...
- 5/9/2011
- by Pop Culture Passionistas
- popculturepassionistas
The Syfy Channel has renewed the hilarious comedy hidden camera reality series Scare Tactics for a fifth season. Actor-comedian Tracy Morgan (30 Rock) will return as the executive producer and Host for the half-hour show. SyFy picked up 13 new episodes for season 5. The show will start production this spring for a fall 2012 premiere. The series was created and executive produced by Scott Hallock and Kevin Healey.
This is one of the few reality TV series that I watch because it always makes me laugh. I really enjoy watching this show, and I'm happy to see that it's not ending. I love watching these people go through and react to insane situations.
Here's the full Press release with all of the details:
Syfy has re-upped its frighteningly funny hidden camera reality seriesScare Tactics for a fifth season, it was announced today by Mark Stern, President Original Content, Syfy and Co-Head, Original Content,...
This is one of the few reality TV series that I watch because it always makes me laugh. I really enjoy watching this show, and I'm happy to see that it's not ending. I love watching these people go through and react to insane situations.
Here's the full Press release with all of the details:
Syfy has re-upped its frighteningly funny hidden camera reality seriesScare Tactics for a fifth season, it was announced today by Mark Stern, President Original Content, Syfy and Co-Head, Original Content,...
- 4/6/2011
- by Venkman
- GeekTyrant
Tracy Morgan on Scare Tactics. Photo byChristos Kalohoridis/Syfy.
Everyone knows Tracy Morgan stars in 30 Rock with AlecBaldwin and Tina Fey on Thursday nights. But not as many people are aware ofTracy's other TV gig on Monday nights on Syfy. The comedic actor hosts a hiddencamera show called Scare Tactics, where all the pranks have some kind ofsupernatural theme.
Friends and family help the Scare Tactics team set up thevictims in elaborate movie-style hoaxes, with very convincing, top-notch visualeffects and make-up. The marks are set up in outrageous situations fromencounters with alien abductions to confrontations with zombies to brushes withmad scientists. In last week's Season 4 premiereepisode, Tracy’s 30 Rock co-star, Judah Friedlander, made a special guestappearance involving a stand-in and an enraged co-star.
We spoke with the series creatorand executive producer, Scott Hallock, on a recent conference call aboutworking with Tracy, the best victim reactions, and going too far.
Watch...
Everyone knows Tracy Morgan stars in 30 Rock with AlecBaldwin and Tina Fey on Thursday nights. But not as many people are aware ofTracy's other TV gig on Monday nights on Syfy. The comedic actor hosts a hiddencamera show called Scare Tactics, where all the pranks have some kind ofsupernatural theme.
Friends and family help the Scare Tactics team set up thevictims in elaborate movie-style hoaxes, with very convincing, top-notch visualeffects and make-up. The marks are set up in outrageous situations fromencounters with alien abductions to confrontations with zombies to brushes withmad scientists. In last week's Season 4 premiereepisode, Tracy’s 30 Rock co-star, Judah Friedlander, made a special guestappearance involving a stand-in and an enraged co-star.
We spoke with the series creatorand executive producer, Scott Hallock, on a recent conference call aboutworking with Tracy, the best victim reactions, and going too far.
Watch...
- 10/18/2010
- by Pop Culture Passionistas
- popculturepassionistas
Here it comes, Syfy fans, the big list of premiere dates.
Unscripted Programming
Ghost Hunters – Returns Wednesday, August 25, at 9Pm – The fall season of Jason, Grant and the rest of The Atlantic Paranormal Society will feature some of the team’s most thrilling locales, including cases at the famous Philadelphia Zoo and the Baseball Hall of Fame. The crew kicks it off with an investigation at the historic Otesaga Hotel in Cooperstown, New York, where they come away with stunning video evidence of paranormal activity. In addition, the crew will host a trio of special guest investigators at Atlanta’s Rhodes Hall: Bravo’s The Real Housewives of Atlanta’s Sheree Whitfield, NeNe Leakes and Kim Zolciak. Ghost Hunters is produced in association with Craig Piligian’s Pilgrim Films and Television (Dirty Jobs, The Ultimate Fighter, My Fair Wedding). Piligian and Thomas Thayer, along with Rob Katz and Alan David,...
Unscripted Programming
Ghost Hunters – Returns Wednesday, August 25, at 9Pm – The fall season of Jason, Grant and the rest of The Atlantic Paranormal Society will feature some of the team’s most thrilling locales, including cases at the famous Philadelphia Zoo and the Baseball Hall of Fame. The crew kicks it off with an investigation at the historic Otesaga Hotel in Cooperstown, New York, where they come away with stunning video evidence of paranormal activity. In addition, the crew will host a trio of special guest investigators at Atlanta’s Rhodes Hall: Bravo’s The Real Housewives of Atlanta’s Sheree Whitfield, NeNe Leakes and Kim Zolciak. Ghost Hunters is produced in association with Craig Piligian’s Pilgrim Films and Television (Dirty Jobs, The Ultimate Fighter, My Fair Wedding). Piligian and Thomas Thayer, along with Rob Katz and Alan David,...
- 8/18/2010
- by Jon Lachonis
- TVovermind.com
If you wake up tomorrow and see a zombie reaching for you, you would have every right to freak out: it's too early for Halloween and you're not on the set of George Romero's new film. Take a deep breath, though. You might have been set up for the new season of Scare Tactics. Syfy's Candid Camera-style show with a scary twist returns Tuesday, October 6th at 9/8c and we have a preview clip for you. To watch it, click the Video tab above. Be warned, though: it might make you scream and it contains strong language.
Scare Tactics gives people the opportunity to set up their friends and loved ones in elaborately staged scary situations involving movie-style special effects and makeup. The horror hoaxes are intentionally designed to tap into the victim's deepest fears of paranormal and supernatural phenomena. The series is hosted by comedian and actor Tracy Morgan (Saturday Night Live,...
Scare Tactics gives people the opportunity to set up their friends and loved ones in elaborately staged scary situations involving movie-style special effects and makeup. The horror hoaxes are intentionally designed to tap into the victim's deepest fears of paranormal and supernatural phenomena. The series is hosted by comedian and actor Tracy Morgan (Saturday Night Live,...
- 9/29/2009
- CinemaSpy
ShineReveille International has taken over the overseas distribution rights to NBC's upcoming reality series "Howie Do It," executive produced by and starring Howie Mandel.
Additionally, the international sales and distribution arm of the Shine Group has extended its roster of output deals, inking pacts with South Africa's MNet and Israel's Dbs.
Created by Mandel, Scott Hallock and Kevin Healey and produced by Mandel's Hdi Prods., "Howie" features Mandel in disguise pulling pranks on unsuspecting marks.
Starting at Mipcom, ShineReveille International will sell the six hourlong episodes and the format rights to the project, which the company's senior vp John Pollak called "a perfect package of producers and a star."
ShineReveille handles international sales for such unscripted series as "The Moment of Truth" and "The Biggest Loser."
As for the output deals, Dbs has picked up three Mrc-produced scripted series whose international distribution is being handled by ShineReveille: the CW's...
Additionally, the international sales and distribution arm of the Shine Group has extended its roster of output deals, inking pacts with South Africa's MNet and Israel's Dbs.
Created by Mandel, Scott Hallock and Kevin Healey and produced by Mandel's Hdi Prods., "Howie" features Mandel in disguise pulling pranks on unsuspecting marks.
Starting at Mipcom, ShineReveille International will sell the six hourlong episodes and the format rights to the project, which the company's senior vp John Pollak called "a perfect package of producers and a star."
ShineReveille handles international sales for such unscripted series as "The Moment of Truth" and "The Biggest Loser."
As for the output deals, Dbs has picked up three Mrc-produced scripted series whose international distribution is being handled by ShineReveille: the CW's...
- 10/3/2008
- by By Nellie Andreeva
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
TORONTO -- Canadian broadcaster CanWest Media has picked up NBC's upcoming Howie Mandel sitcom "Howie Do It".
CanWest's Global Television network will simulcast the unscripted comedy to be shot in Canada by Mandel's production shingle Alevy Prods.
Global Television already airs NBC's "Deal or No Deal" game show, and last year produced a local "Deal or No Deal Canada" version, also with Toronto-born Mandel as host.
Mandel, the series' creator, will share executive producer credits with Scott Hallock, Kevin Healey, Morgan Elliot and Michael Rotenberg.
CanWest's Global Television network will simulcast the unscripted comedy to be shot in Canada by Mandel's production shingle Alevy Prods.
Global Television already airs NBC's "Deal or No Deal" game show, and last year produced a local "Deal or No Deal Canada" version, also with Toronto-born Mandel as host.
Mandel, the series' creator, will share executive producer credits with Scott Hallock, Kevin Healey, Morgan Elliot and Michael Rotenberg.
- 4/18/2008
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Fox TV Studios has signed an exclusive first-look deal with Hallock Healey Entertainment, a production company specializing in hidden-camera series including NBC's Spy TV and Sci Fi Channel's Scare Tactics. The deal will steer any projects developed by co-principals Scott Hallock and Kevin Healey to Fox TV, which retains the option of partnering with them on production and international format distribution rights. It marks the first studio deal for Hallock Healey, which is busy on a batch of reality projects being developed at such networks as MTV, USA and FX. The team also is at work on an unspecified reality series at UPN.
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