My Little Film Co., L.L.C???

Rogue Crew

Rogue Crew

Well-known member
OK, so let's say I've put together the rudiments of a (DV) film production crew and I've got a script and some SAG Inde contracts about to be signed and I've got a schedule and a budget and a dream.

It seems to me that, for purposes of liability and personal (financial) security, maybe my little crew should become a COMPANY! Well, this is more of a question, really. When should an Indie incorportate? Becomming a limited liability corporation (L.L.C.) seems attractive. A quick Google indicates that this can be done for anywhere between $100 - $400, depending on what services you want the service outfits to provide - so there doesn't seem to be a great downside.

Incorporate Now, BizFilings.com, Incorporate Online, GettingIncorporated.com, and American Incorporators are just a few sites I have visited.

I would appreciate your sharing any thoughts you may have.
 
Re: My Little Film Co., L.L.C???

iJack, you MUST incorporate. To sign a SAG production agreement in your own name would be INSANE.

Definitely, definitely, definitely, unquestionably, without a doubt, please, you must, absolutely, unequivocably, immediately form an LLC, and get an insurance policy on it (a BOPP is only about $500/year). That way you'll have legal insulation protecting your personal assets from any spurious or legitimate lawsuits (somebody tripped? You forgot to get a release agreement?) as well as insulating yourself from perpetually being bound by SAG for any and all future productions you personally may undertake.

It would be impossible to spend $100 any wiser than that.
 
Re: My Little Film Co., L.L.C???

Well, it's still the Christmas season so I was being tactful... next time I'll be more direct! :)

Seriously, you never want to sign a SAG agreement in your own name -- you'll be obligating yourself such that every production you ever do in the rest of your life must also be SAG.

In fact, the "proper" way to do it is to make a specific separate legal entity for each and every production. Make a master LLC for your own purposes, and then make "Zombie Gulch, LLC" for when you produce the Zombie Gulch feature film. That particular LLC may choose to be a SAG signatory, but that won't obligate "My Little Film Co., LLC" to being a SAG signatory. And if you later form Zombie Ant Farm LLC to make "Zombie Ant Farm", and then someone sues Zombie Gulch LLC, they won't be able to seize the assets of, or revenue streams of, Zombie Ant Farm LLC.
 
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