The Pocket Lawyer for Filmmakers: A Legal Toolkit for Independent Producers - Softcover

Crowell Esq., Thomas A.; Crowell, Thomas A.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0240808428 ISBN 13: 9780240808420

Publisher: Focal Press, 2007

Synopsis

You have an idea you want to pitch to a production company; how do you safeguard your concept? There's a painting in the background of your independent film; is it necessary to clear the rights? The screenplay you and a friend wrote gets optioned; how do you split the proceeds fairly? This book offers answers to these and other questions.

About this title

Review:

"...provides a readable map through the world of legalese and contract negotiations for any filmmaker interested in doing pretty much all his or her own producing legwork....It's an excellent, potentially career-saving resource." - Back Stage

"Filmmakers need to do what they can to make sure that they cover all of their legal bases. The problem is that the task seems so huge and overwhelming, that most of us don't even know where to start. This book does an excellent job of breaking it down for you: what you can do, what you need to do, and what you will need help doing." -Microfilmmaker Magazine

"While reading the book may feel like doing word problem after word problem, there's no denying you're smarter on Page 318 than you were on Page 1. It's an excellent, potentially career-saving resource.” -Sam Thielman, Back Stage Magazine

From the Back Cover:

Find quick answers to hundreds of questions in The Pocket Lawyer for Film and Video. This no-nonsense reference provides fast answers in plain English with no law degree required! It is designed to help you reduce legal costs by providing the vital information you need to make informed decisions on the legal aspects of your film, video, and TV productions.

Actors get hurt, copyrights are infringed, and contracts are broken. Big-budget producers have lawyers on retainer, but as an independent filmmaker, you are left legally exposed. Arm yourself with the practical advice of a TV-producer-turned-entertainment-lawyer.

The format is carefully designed for quick reference, so you get the answers you need, fast. Features include:

*Clause Companion: explains the meaning and impact of typical contract clauses, taking the headache out of reading them

*F.A.Q.s: instantly answers the most commonly asked legal questions

*Warnings: alerts you to critical areas and common mistakes

Avoid common pitfalls, save money, avoid lawsuits, and become empowered in your daily work. The next best thing to having an entertainment attorney at your beck and call is having one in your pocket!

Thomas A. Crowell counsels his clients in New York and New Jersey on a wide range of entertainment law and intellectual property rights issues. Prior to becoming an attorney, Mr. Crowell produced television news and children’s entertainment for over a decade.

|

Find quick answers to hundreds of questions in The Pocket Lawyer for Film and Video. This no-nonsense reference provides fast answers in plain English with no law degree required! It is designed to help you reduce legal costs by providing the vital information you need to make informed decisions on the legal aspects of your film, video, and TV productions.

Actors get hurt, copyrights are infringed, and contracts are broken. Big-budget producers have lawyers on retainer, but as an independent filmmaker, you are left legally exposed. Arm yourself with the practical advice of a TV-producer-turned-entertainment-lawyer.

The format is carefully designed for quick reference, so you get the answers you need, fast. Features include:

*Clause Companion: explains the meaning and impact of typical contract clauses, taking the headache out of reading them

*F.A.Q.s: instantly answers the most commonly asked legal questions

*Warnings: alerts you to critical areas and common mistakes

Avoid common pitfalls, save money, avoid lawsuits, and become empowered in your daily work. The next best thing to having an entertainment attorney at your beck and call is having one in your pocket!

Thomas A. Crowell counsels his clients in New York and New Jersey on a wide range of entertainment law and intellectual property rights issues. Prior to becoming an attorney, Mr. Crowell produced television news and children’s entertainment for over a decade.

About this edition

• Publisher: Focal Press
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 0240808428
• ISBN 13: 9780240808420
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 360