What legal coverage is needed

G

grahamcracker

Member
Hey guys I am shooting my new 15 minute short at the end of july. I am a bit lost as to some of the legal forms that are needed to cover me lawsuit wise. I have some indy bands lined up for the sound track. I also have an energy drink that we are giving product placement. On top of all of that I have actors and crew. Basically I have a very limited knowledge of the legal system. Is a lawyer necessary to cover me, or are there pre written contracts somewhere. Also what types of contracts are needed for actors and crew to sign.

Thanks Guys,
Graham R.
 
- All People on Set: [Hold Harmless Agreement] (not complete protection, but still helps)
- Band's Music [Sync Rights Agreement]
- Actors [Talent Release Form] (also need separate one if you have bts video, both actors and crew)
- Energy Drink [Product Placement Release Agreement]

Search for those forms on google, usually they need tailored to your needs. A lawyer is always best to use, or at least to overlook the forms/agreements


Don't forget Production insurance! ...film permits are always good, and also workers comp if using SAG actors.

[and remember, this is just advice, I'm sure there are more forms/agreements, I just can't think of them.]
 
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for $250 to $350 you should be able to find a good entertainment lawyer that will draft you a set of documents that will cover all aspects of your business and about copyrights that you will need. I believe that I paid about $350 form a international entertainment lawyer for a set of drafts that I'm able to change as I need to that cover all the aspects of rights. I right them up and have his assistant read over them for a much smaller fee to see that everything is Ok. In the long run this is oh so much cheaper than having to protect yourself in a lawsuit and will explain when you need to be indemnyfied as well as your clients.

Good Luck.
 
Michael T is absolutely right! I don't know why people trust complete strangers on an Internet website for legal advice. Guidance from people with experience is all well and good, but you're trusting your good name, your money, your assets, and your reputation in the business to people who, as much as you might think you know them, are essentially strangers. Don't risk it. Sometimes it's important to pay for a professional. This is one of those times.
 
Hi Graham,

FYI - I started another tread to specifically address the film entertainment issue.

http://dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?p=1334498#post1334498

I agree with the other posters above - great advice. And if you need entertainment counsel, I'm very impressed by Gordon Firemark's depth of knowledge and friendly nature:

http://www.firemark.com/

If nothing else, you'll enjoy listening to his "The Law And Video" podcasts.

Finally, if you have a very limited budget and would like to have at least "something" to use as a template, you might invest $15 for these forms:

http://www.thedvshow.com/learn/Legal_Forms.html

Or you could buy a form-based book like "The Complete Film Production Handbook" (as low as $15 for a used book).

Good luck, Michael
 
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