Happy New Year 2013

Happy New Year!

If you're reading this, you've survived the Mayan apocalypse, Christmas, and New Year's Eve!

Last week, I took a moment to thank folks for everything great that happened in 2012, Now, I want to share some of my hopes, aspirations and plans for 2013.

Helping Entertainment Professionals Achieve Their Dreams

This year, I hope to help even more entertainment industry professionals achieve their dreams of success. Whether you're starting a business, developing a screenplay, or moving your project through packaging, financing, production or distribution, I'm here to help.

My office offers a full range of services, including business formations, copyright and trademark registration, contract negotiation and drafting, licensing, film and theatre financing documents, and of course production-related legal services.

Entertainment Law Update Podcast

The Entertainment Law Update Podcast will continue on a (roughly) monthly basis this year. If you're not already subscribed, I hope you'll sign up in iTunes or your favorite podcatcher to receive our roundup of entertainment legal news and views each month.

Public Speaking

I'm always delighted to speak about my areas of expertise, and I'm hoping to add to my speaking schedule this year. I speak frequently about Theatre Law, Film Finance and Production, Media Law, Podcasting, Blogging and New Media, and solo law practice.

I'm going to be speaking at the New Media Expo on January 8th. My topic there is “Ten Legal Cases Every Podcaster, Blogger or New Media Producer should know about. I hope you can attend. If you can't make it to Las Vegas next week, you can always pick up a copy of my ebook “The Podcast, Blog *& New Media Producer's Legal Survival Guide”

Courses and Workshops

Theatre Producer Academy will also be seeing some growth in 2013. If you know someone who loves theatre, and wants to learn more about the business of producing, please let them know about this 19-lesson course that teaches aspiring producers the ropes.

In February, I'll reprise last year's successful webinar on Licensing music for theatre. Whether you're a playwright, composer, lyricist or producer, you'll need to understand the legal and business framework for the use of music in stage productions. Stay tuned for specifics.

One great way to keep up-to-speed on things like this is to follow me on twitter. @gfiremark

In April or May, I'll be hosting the next live session of Film Finance Boot Camp. This is an intensive all-day workshop where you'll learn the ins and outs of financing low-budget independent film. You'll hear from experts on where and how to look for financing, what financiers look for in film opportunities, how to get your proposal and pitch materials in order. Enrollment in the Boot Camp is very limited, so sign up now to be notified when spots become available.

Another Firemark

In March, my wife and kids will welcome a baby boy to our family. Quite a production! We're already started with the preparations, and we're all very excited. No name selected yet, but 4-year old Nate has dubbed him “Lasagna”

ModRock

Then, in Spring and Summer, I'm part of the producing team for a brand-new musical called ModRock. Set in 1963 London, an unlikely pair finds love amid the clashes between the Mods and the Rockers. ModRock features 20 of the great pop hits of the era, and promises to entertain audiences of all ages. We're currently pulling together a concept-album for the show, which will premiere at North Hollywood's El Portal Theatre in mid-2013. Stay tuned! (If you're interested in joining our team as an investor, please contact me privately).

Teaching

Also during the summer, I'll again be teaching my course on Theater Law in the LLM degree program at Southwestern Law School. Then in Fall, I expect to be back at Loyola Marymount, where I've taught Business Law for the past 7 years.

Call me with your next project!

Whew! It looks like I'll be busy… but I'm never too busy to help you achieve your dreams! So call me! (310)443-4185