Tab themes?

Hey guys, we're got a prep basketball tab coming up at our paper in 5-6 weeks. What are some cool themes you have seen and/or done?

Also (and this might be showing some ignorance), what are the copyright laws like on doing a theme and/or cover inspired by a TV show or movie? Is it fair use, or infringement?

 

Legally, it's fair use, unless you directly quote the title. And, even if you did, you'd probably be safe on grounds of satire/parody.

In practicality, it's trite, cliched and overdone to death.

 

The cover photo is easy. Find two good female players from your area who are nice looking. Get them to wear their uniforms minus tops. Just have them stand there smiling in their sport's bras. Your paper's male readership should skyrocket.

 

Look for a common theme amongst the teams and use that as a starting point for inspiration.

If you go over the top with movies, music, video games, it must be done right — a knockoff won't cut it.

Or... a nude with a net, a whistle and a ball strategically placed!

 

Themes are not necessarily a good idea for a tab. You wind up forcing stories to fit the theme. And unless you nail a really good one, they are almost always trite.

 

i'm always a fan of a basketball theme, but that's just me

(jesus, i always seem to say the same thing twice a year)

 

we don't really come up with themes, rather one big feature package - usually on a full-color, double-truck center spread - and the cover plays off that.