New movie-making fun of greeks??

[Senusret I]

Originally Posted by ZTAMich

Official Statement by Zeta Tau Alpha is here.
Statement on "The House Bunny"


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 15, 2008

Zeta Tau Alpha denounces “The House Bunny” movie


INDIANAPOLIS—Zeta Tau Alpha Fraternity for women expresses dismay that Columbia Pictures and Happy Madison Productions will release in August the feature film, “The House Bunny.”

This movie depicts a sorority called “Zeta Alpha Zeta” and refers to its members as “Zetas” and its facility as the “Zeta House.” The chapter house shown in the movie has the word “ZETA” above the door in turquoise, one of the official colors of the Zeta Tau Alpha Fraternity.

The Fraternity is the exclusive owner of the registered trademarks Zeta Tau Alpha and the Greek letters ZTA, and has been consistently using the term Zeta and Zetas to conduct business for nearly 100 years. The Fraternity believes that the use of “ZETA” in the film is improper and confusingly similar to ZTA. Zeta Tau Alpha is working with legal counsel to explore its options.

“We regret that the production and distribution companies have chosen to release a movie that portrays collegiate fraternity and sorority life in an offensive and inaccurate manner,” said Zeta Tau Alpha National President Laura Ladewig Mauro. “We have written a letter of protest to both companies but have received no response.”

Zeta Tau Alpha was founded in 1898 at the State Female Normal School (now Longwood University) in Farmville, Va., and has 148 active collegiate chapters and more than 195,000 members worldwide. A member of the National Panhellenic Conference of Greek women’s organizations, ZTA develops members’ leadership, academic and service skills and supports breast cancer education and awareness as its national philanthropy.

Ridiculous.

[SWTXBelle]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

Ridiculous.

Hardly.

It will be interesting to see if there are any legal remedies. I just can't believe anyone thinks it is just pure coincidence - and so many other "Greek" movies have managed to come up with letters and colors that don't directly reference an existing national GLO that you have to think those behind this movie were 1.)stupid and lazy 2.)uncreative 3.) carrying a chip on their shoulder about ZTA or 4.) all of the above.

[PhiGam]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

Ridiculous.

In one clip I saw, the letter "E" was missing from the chapter house and it said "Z TA." They probably wouldn't win the lawsuit because they are a public organization and would have to prove malicious intent on the part of Happy Madison to have a case.

[PANTHERTEKE]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

Ridiculous.

How so?

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

Ridiculous.

Did Big Walt ever use any of our nicknames or symbols in his stuff? I've never watched his stuff but I notice he never goes away.

[Senusret I]

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

Did Big Walt ever use any of our nicknames or symbols in his stuff? I've never watched his stuff but I notice he never goes away.

I dunno. He made that one movie that was obviously inspired by AKA. The frat movie people were called Betas. I think?

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

I dunno. He made that one movie that was obviously inspired by AKA. The frat movie people were called Betas. I think?

Yes he uses colors and stereotypes that are often attributed to certain orgs. But to the best of my knowledge, he's been "smart" enough not to get more detailed than that. He knows his limits.

[Senusret I]

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

Yes he uses colors and stereotypes that are often attributed to certain orgs. But to the best of my knowledge, he's been "smart" enough not to get more detailed than that. He knows his limits.

I agree.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

I agree.

I remember years ago when members were trying to "protest" him and then they realized that our orgs couldn't sue him, anyway.

[AOII Angel]

http://clubs.oxy.edu/zeta/index.html
Here's the link to Zeta Tau Zeta. I thought hetitszeta was a troll, but apparently not!

[Tippiechick]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

There is nothing to be concerned about. ZTA and this movie are going to be fine.

And for the record, it HAS been my letters before. My fraternity has boycotted movies before and I saw them anyway.

I am not concerned about ZTA not being ok. Trust me, we'll be fine. I am OFFENDED that someone would use the combination together in such a way as to make viewers connect with Zeta Tau Alpha.

It's the point that someone or a group of people went out of their way to do this. Yet, we should just applaud them or ignore it because the movie looks funny?

You weren't offended when YOUR letters were used, fine. But, don't sit there and tell me or any other ZTA that we shouldn't be offended when OUR letters are used (with one of our main colors).
(ETA: Watch this and you'll see they actually wear STEEL GREY shirts with TURQUOISE letters: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-RmuzppVuM)

[SWTXBelle]

Zeta Tau Alpha will be better than fine - they will continue to be great.

The movie? We'll see. I'd say it looks too stupid to pull much of an audience, but what do I know - Adam Sandler has made an entire career out of making movies I would think are too stupid to do well.

[Senusret I]

Originally Posted by Tippiechick

I am not concerned about ZTA not being ok. Trust me, we'll be fine. I am OFFENDED that someone would use the combination together in such a way as to make viewers connect with Zeta Tau Alpha.

It's the point that someone or a group of people went out of their way to do this. Yet, we should just applaud them or ignore it because the movie looks funny?

You weren't offended when YOUR letters were used, fine. But, don't sit there and tell me or any other ZTA that we shouldn't be offended when OUR letters are used (with one of our main colors).

You and every other ZTA that reads this shouldn't be offended.

[Tippiechick]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

You and every other ZTA that reads this shouldn't be offended.

If you were anyone else, I'd hold a damn grudge.

[honeychile]

I have to admit, I thought it was overblown until I saw the trailers. I would have absolutely FREAKED had it been my GLO! I think every ZTA has a right to be offended, if she wishes to be.

On the other hand, if the movie is a huge hit, maybe it could work in ZTA's favor. For your sakes, I hope so!