Top 4 Filmmaker “Must Do” Practices, and Why

Aspiring filmmakers often let the contract and business details of film production be an afterthought, thinking “that’s not fun. Or creative. And I don’t have the budget for that un-fun, un-creative stuff.  I’m working with my friends… it’ll all be...

Join me at the Screenwriters Network Attorney Panel

I’m looking forward to being a panelist at the Scriptwriters Network Entertainment Attorney Panel – about the law and business of screenwriting – August 13, 2011, 1PM. Come on out and join us on the Universal Studios Backlot....

Contracts & Business Needs of Film Production – and why.

Filmmakers and writers often let the contract and business details be a second – or third or forth priority, which is unfortunate. Neglecting contracts and business formalities may prevent getting investors into a movie, or may cause a host of other problems...

Parody, Fair Use, Or Copyright Infringement?

A recent question asked whether a project was a permissible “parody” of a preexisting work, or whether the project was too close to the original and was therefore an impermissible rip off – a/k/a copyright infringement. The answer can be maddeningly...

2010 USC Institute on Entertainment Law and Business

Saturday I attended the 2010 USC Institute on Entertainment Law & Business – terrific speakers on the state and future of the industry. The quality of the topics was exceeded only by the high caliber and knowledge of the speakers. Highlights included…...

My “On The Page” Interview is Up!

My interview with screenwriting teacher and consultant Pilar Alessandra is now up and available! Our wide ranging conversation was focused on Legal and Business Do’s and Don’ts for screenwriters, and covered many hypotheticals and real world, practical...