Learn From a Top Entertainment Attorney

Get 4 Downloadable Documents Including an Equity Term Sheet, Delivery Schedule, Crew Agreement & More!

When you get a project greenlit for the screen it's exciting to get wrapped up in the story, as the creative is what hooked you on the project in the first place. But, your attention (or lack of) to the legal side of film can literally be the factor that determines if your film will ever even get seen. 

From the first stages of setting up your film company and prep, into the final hours of locking your film and even through marketing and distribution, there are key decisions you will be making as a filmmaker that you may not even be aware of will ultimately affect your film legally.  Are you setting up the formation of your film's company correctly? Are you thinking through scenes that need clearances in the process? Have you considered what you need to clear for music? Do you know how to navigate your distribution contracts? These legal implications will often have a huge impact on the creative vision and whether you can even use certain characters, locations or even entire scenes! Being aware of all these elements throughout the process as they come up will not only save you tons of time but also potentially tons of money and legal hassle in the end. 

Sean Pope is a top entertainment attorney and partner at Ramo Law who has worked on over 100 film and TV projects. He has worked with greats like Liam Nieson on THE HONEST THIEF, as well as represented clients that have won multiple Emmys and has clients who have premiered all over the world, including the Tribeca Film Festival. Sean has seen first hand what it takes to get a project from concept to completion. And, on the other side he's seen pitfalls that have prevented a project from getting to the finish line. He knows what it takes to get a film made.

In this exclusive Stage 32 virtual class, Sean is going to walk you through, step by step, everything you need to consider legally for your feature film.  He'll start by making sure that you understand that your film's corporation is set up correctly, which is the framework for getting to the finish line. He will take you through legal nuances as it relates to your film financing, as well as what you need to know in pre-production to plan for clearances. You will learn the documents you will need for physical production like crew agreements, as well as what to consider in post-production including copyrights, trademarks, delivery. Finally, you will learn what to look out for when you make a film distribution deal. 

You will walk away feeling confident in the basic legal elements throughout the process so you can best avoid any legal roadblocks along the way.

PLUS! receive these exclusive legal handouts: 

• Equity Term Sheet and Sample Waterfall Template 

• Materials Release and Crew Agreement Template 

• Composer Agreement and Credit Statement Template 

• Delivery Schedule Template

Testimonials for Sean’s previous webinars

"It was absolutely brilliant! One of the best courses I've attended yet! Loved the mock call. That was so educational!" --Becca G.

"Great course on financing. Will be watching again." --Martin R.

"AMAZING COURSE!!!" --Stephanie D.

Class One - Formation / Financing Legal Elements

• The basics of forming a production entity and why corporate considerations should always be top of mind

• The most common forms of financing for independent films, and how each film’s financing plan plays a key role in later decisions

• A breakdown of the most common film “waterfalls”, and where typical recoupment levels for independent financing fit into the larger model, e.g., equity investment, debt financing, etc. 

  • HANDOUT: Template Equity Term Sheet and Sample Waterfall

  • ASSIGNMENT: Map out your anticipated financial model for your project and how you intend to secure the budget

Class Two - Production Legal / Clearances Legal Elements

• The key considerations as we move forward with production 

• The most common documents that are necessary to have on hand

• The most common elements that are typically raised in negotiations with key talent and crew

• Clearance issues so be aware of-  artwork, logos, names, wide area releases, copyright and trademark, breaking down of the fair use doctrine etc.

  • HANDOUT: Template Materials Release and Crew Agreement

  • ASSIGNMENT: Identify elements of your screenplay or documentary that may need clearance and whether you should seek to secure clearances before shooting, during shooting, or in post-production

Class Three - The Legal Elements for Post-Production / Music / Delivery

• A breakdown of  music licensing and engaging a composer, licensing archival materials

•  What clauses we need to ensure are contained in any deals we enter into for music 

• Getting ahead of delivery requirements with a distributor or sales agent

•  The documentation you can begin to put together to help coordinate a smooth delivery,

  • HANDOUT: Template Composer Agreement and Credit Statement

  • ASSIGNMENT: Identify elements of your project that may be handled during post-production. For example, music licensing or engaging a composer for a narrative feature film; or archival licensing for a documentary

Class Four - The Legal Elements for  Distribution

• An overview of key terms for the distribution and sale of your content

• Key considerations when negotiating your distribution agreements

• Understanding a common delivery schedule and what items you need to be putting together in order to ensure that your delivery to a distributor is as smooth as possible.

• Review and wrap up class and content

  • HANDOUT: Template Delivery Schedule

  • ASSIGNMENT: Review the delivery schedule and identify items that you may not have anticipated needing to deliver and if they are covered in your budget

Q&A with Sean

Producers of any level who want to make sure their production is protected and properly contracted.

Filmmakers of any level who want to make sure the production they are working on is legally sound.

Screenwriters of any level who want to make sure their contracts are sound.

Actors of any level who want to understand what legal aspects go into a feature film production.

"It was absolutely brilliant! One of the best courses I've attended yet! Loved the mock call. That was so educational!" --Becca G.

"Great course on financing. Will be watching again." --Martin R.

"AMAZING COURSE!!!" --Stephanie D.