Is there any legal way to show clips of a movie in an independent video without getting prior rights? Like maybe if it's 30 seconds in length or less and proper credit is given at the end?

I know, i'm fishing here.

Jon

Short answer.

No.
(The correct answer is to GET the rights...)

I second that. It's completely illegal to do that, esp. if you try to exhibit it, no less try to sell it. Check out this site for some great legal stuff, film-wise:

http://www.marklitwak.com/

heath

You have to get the rights, but in most cases it's fairly easy and free - the movie studios consider that free publicity. But you can get burned pretty bad if you don't ask for it!!!