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Filmmaker Classes by Richard Lee and Peter Franck:

Class 1

The Legal Framework for your Film, Video or Business

This course will unravel many of the business considerations that filmmakers must be aware of when starting their project. Topics include forming a legal entity such as a limited liability company (LLC), corporation or nonprofit and discerning which model is appropriate for your project; insurance, accounting, payroll and working with independent contractors; employment issues and the nature of contracts and funding issues related to grants, loans and investments.

Class 2

Filmmaking and the Law

Filmmaking attracts its fair share of legal entanglements. Gain knowledge of how to secure and keep usage rights for subjects, interviewees, events and archival materials. Special attention will be paid to copyright registration and rights of privacy formalities, fair use, Creative Commons licenses and distribution agreements. This seminar also will detail how to protect your own rights as an artist through a discussion of publicity, privacy and defamation.

Class 3

Obtaining and Clearing Music Rights for Films, Video, and the Internet

Music can complete the scene, but putting the music you want in the picture can be notoriously difficult. This seminar reveals the secrets to content acquisition and the intricacies of music rights and fair use. The basic structure of copyright law will be covered, as well as the process of acquiring new music, gaining the right to use existing music and dealing with copyright formalities and protections.

If you would like to be notified of dates for the next series, e-mail to info (at) leelawless.com.