Documentary Legal Issues

S

stidle

Active member
Hi there everyone --

I don't know exactly how to ask this question without revealing my idea...but basically I have been inspired to do a documentary about what I consider to be a very corrupt industry in America...something that many people use but of which few people realize the extraordinary dishonesty inherent.

I have been scared to speak out against these companies -- in film or in any other way -- because I am worried about libel, etc etc.

But tonight I saw _Sicko_ and found that it named specific companies, worked frequently on anecdotal evidence, etc...And it gave me a little faith that maybe my idea is workable as a film.

Of course I know that Michael Moore must employ a small army of lawyers at this point...but does anyone have suggestions of where I can turn to get realistic legal advice on my documentary for not very much money?

Thank you very much in advance.
 
following is a link to Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts. Maybe there is an assosiation that covers where you live.

good luck.
 
great. glad you liked Sicko. Roger & Me was one of 2 projects that originally sparked my interest in the industry.

i'd recommend doing a fair amount of prep work (treatment, budget, schedule) before you go to them as the further along that you are, the better quality of advice you will be able to attract.
 
Thanks again.

One more quick question, speaking of prep time:

I've been doing a lot of homework for this project -- reading books, studies, newspaper articles, talking to potential interview subjects -- and it's only begun. Obviously as time goes by, I become more and more concerned that someone is going to "scoop me" on this particular story.

Obviously there is no way to "copyright" a documentary idea -- and thankfully so...But is there at least some way that I can be fairly certain no one else is working on a similar project? I know that there is a website where you can check to see if your plot has already been done or is in production...Is there anything similar for documentary film?
 
It is not the idea, it is the execution and unique position of the filmmaker to deliver. I am currently working on a doc about Christian rock and there is no less than 4 others trying to do something similar. My execution is way better and I have positioned myself to deliver interviews and such that they will never get.

If you are really tackling a large subject, you might consider finding a director with experience. It will help you on every level, from funding to delivering the story. The documentary genre has been a bit diluted by people who think it is just about the idea and pointing a camera at it. Doc filmmakers are story tellers and craftsmen.




ash =o)
 
I don't know that there can be too many documentaries about one subject. Think about the thousands of war docs/programming.....hell if it weren't for war, most of these cable channels and the video game industry would dry up.

Add up the number of JFK assassination docs also....I still watch the new ones.
 
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