Thoughtful Sales Representation Agreements can help Indie Filmmakers secure some financial terms.

Sales representation agreements may restrict the Sales Rep from entering into agreements to exploit rights in the film for unreasonably low amounts. The contract should have an attached Minimum Pricing Schedule listing all the territories and the minimum amounts that the Filmmaker/Producer is willing to accept without prior approval. The Schedule may have separate columns […]

Does Copyright Protect Film Characters?

A production company in California, Bengal Mangle Productions, has filed a lawsuit against Seth MacFarlane alleging copyright infringement over the 2012 movie about a foul-mouthed stuffed toy “Ted”.

Paul Walker’s Tragic Death Underscores Filmmakers’ Need for Key Man Insurance

News of Paul Walker’s death was tragic and unsettling. As an avid car enthusiast, I am a big fan of the “Fast” franchise of adrenaline pumping car chase movies. I’m sure I join his many fans in mourning our loss. Which got me thinking about whether the installment of the film franchise in which he […]

YouTube Content ID – A Must for Every Indie Filmmaker or Musician

Are you getting the most out of your online marketing efforts? Last year, Google announced a change to its search rankings algorithm, lowering results for known pirate sites. Critics asked why the company would not do the same for Youtube, since that site is widely viewed as a repository for pirated films and music. Read […]

Four (4) Secrets To Film Funding Success

While almost any project can find traction with someone, few have the capacity to capture a wide audience. So how does a filmmaker, make it? No promises here, but below are traits that I’ve identified in all the filmamkers I’ve worked with who’ve gotten funding and distribution. Know thyself. I have always asked my clients […]

Social Media for the Indie Film Producer

Don’t have time to get to every film Festival? Don’t worry. You can now turn to the Internet and social media to create your own personal film festival. Fast Company today announced the launch of Prescreen, a “social movie discovery platform” that’s designed to “give filmmakers and distributors an alternative to traditional advertising and distribution […]

Independent Film Distribution: Two Steps Forward & One Step Back?

Independent filmmaker Abe Schwartz writes about his experience at “Distribution U.”

Can I Be Sued For Posting Someone Else’s Content On My Web Site?

The Internet, and sites like YouTube, provide useful and entertaining content to individuals anytime anywhere. The growth in online video marketing is a fait accompli. Section 512 of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, protects Internet service providers from legal liability for using copyrighted material, as long as the firm does not know that the content is copyrighted when it publishes it.

DIY Indie Film Marketing: Blogging rewards and risks

If blogging is part of your marketing plan, if your business sends free samples to bloggers or if you hire endorsers or spokespeople, then you need to know about Federal Trade Commission guidelines surrounding paid endorsements.

Content Creators Rejoice at RIAA Victory Against File-sharing Site LimeWire

In the ongoing war against Internet piracy, the RIAA’s recent victory against file-sharing site LimeWire marks a major victory for content creators by holding the makers of the software responsible for copyright infringement.