- Counseling and representing producers, writers, actors, directors, and crafts-persons
- Production , finance and distribution agreements
- Structuring production and financing entities
- Investor financing arrangements
- Option agreements and other matters relating to underlying rights.
- Life story rights agreements
- Rights clearance
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Theatre, Film, Television, Music & New Media
Film
L.A. To get a film commission? Didn’t we already have one?
I’ve just read that L.A. city council member Richard Alarcon has asked city officials to report on the steps needed to create a film commission to persuade production companies to shoot in L.A.
I’m stunned that the city, historically home to the TV and Movie industries, hadn’t already had such a commission. in the last 13 years, according to statistics, production in the region has dropped by more than 50%, as producers sought more favorable labor rates, locations and tax incentives.
Why, I wonder, has L.A. waited so long to take this step to deal with runaway production? Most successful businesses know that existing customers are the most important asset there is. why hasn’t the city adopted this view toward one of its largest and most influential industries?
Better late than never, I suppose.
I just hope it’s not too late.
Asked & Answered: Can a screenwriter retain control?
Q: Is it possible through an entertainment attorney, for the screenwriter to have control of rewriting, changing, adding or eliminating scenes, etc.?
Asked & Answered: Can co-writers exclude music rights from screenplay rights?
Yes, it is possible, in a collaboration agreement, to separate rights in certain components of the work, so that a composer retains all rights in the songs, while the parties share equally (or according to some other formula) in the other components. Unfortunately, each situation is different, so there’s no set ‘form’ or ’standard’ way to handle this wording.
Why productions like "Moneyball" get shelved.
Last month, just hours before the scheduled start of production on Columbia Pictures’ “Moneyball”, starring Brad Pitt and directed by Steven Soderbergh, the studio pulled the plug on production, putting the project into “limited turnaround”
With an A-list star like Brad Pitt, and a well-known and respected Director, the film seemed a sure-thing to some, so [...]
How not to use the internet to find investors for your film or theatre project.
In recent weeks, I’ve begun to see more and more independent filmmakers and theatre producers using forums, chat rooms, and other internet-services to seek out investors for their projects. In most cases, these inquiries are couched in plain language: “Seeking investors for independent film” or similar.
Unfortunately for these producers, their use of [...]
Location managers protest LA City Council agenda item – Council to consider tougher film permit rules and deadlines.
The LA City Council is once again contemplating changes to the City’s location permit rules that stand to make much more difficult for Location Managers, especially those working on short timelines. The agenda for the March 31 Council meeting includes consideration for new rules would impose longer lead-times for permit requests to be submitted [...]
L.A. approves incentive package
L.A. approves incentive package: “Runaway Production: City aims to keep film, TV productions in town — There’s no tax credits in there yet, but the Los Angeles City Council has approved a package of incentives aimed at keeping film and TV productions in Los Angeles .“
(Via Variety.com – Runaway Production.)
Financing independent films and theatre projects is more difficult in the current economic climate. Myth or Reality?
In recent weeks, I’ve had a number of clients express their view that the current down economy means that they won’t be able to find investors to finance their films and/or shows. As a consequence, they’re sitting back, waiting things out.. not trying to make it happen.
Meanwhile, I’ve had others tell me that investors are [...]
The YouTube plot thickens…
Further follow up to my post on Wednesday regarding YouTube’s automated audio-muting of user-generated videos containing unlicensed music…..
According to this piece at the Hollywood Reporter.. YouTube is taking things a step further… allowing users to REPLACE offending music in video soundtracks with pre-cleared music…. (automatically?)
I ask you again… does this kind of filtering do any [...]
Why every writing team should have a written collaboration agreement. (part 3 of 3)
This is the final installment of a 3-part series on the importance of collaboration agreements for every writing or other creative team. In Parts 1 and 2, I analyzed some of the important provisions found in properly negotiated and drafted collaboration agreements. Here, I’ll continue that discussion, and explain the advantages of using entertainment lawyer [...]