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 […]

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 […]

IRS Section 181 Film Production Incentives UPDATE

Many of us have been waiting patiently for any news about whether the federal film production tax incentives made possible under IRS Section 181 will be extended.

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.

David Adler to Moderate Panel on Monetizing Original Content & New Media

On May 6th, 2010, David Adler will be the Moderator at the Digital.Hollywood Panel “Monetizing Original Media: Broadband, Viral, Episodic Programming, Content & Advertising.” The conference is being held in Santa Monica California. The Panel will discuss critical issues facing the industry, such as: Who’s watching what and where (or how)? How much should content […]

Call for Entries: SHOOT’s 8th Annual New Directors Search – Approaching Deadline

Deadline To Discover The Best Up-And-Coming Helmers Is March 31st, 2010 SHOOT Magazine’s 8th Annual search to discover the best up-and-coming directors. This is a great opportunity to advance your career! Entry forms and details can be found online at www.shootonline.com/go/search.

Clock is Ticking on IRS Section 181 Film Tax Incentive!

“American Jobs Creation Act: Section 181” provides 100% Federal deductions against passive income. State Film Production Tax Credits may also be available. What Is Section 181? How Does Section 181 Work? Who Is Eligible for Section 181 Deductions? Section 181, first enacted by Congress in 2004, and blogged about here, was extended and modified on […]

Illinois Film Production Services Tax Credit Act

In 2003 Illinois introduced a wage-based tax credit for film producers. In December of 2008 Illinois passed the Illinois Film Production Tax Credit Act, offering producers a credit of 30% of all “qualified expenditures,” including post-production, and has no expiration. To promote growth and job opportunities in the Illinois film industry, the Act is to beneficial to […]