Posted on October 21, 2011 in Contracts and Law, Legal & Copyright | 1 Comment
James Erwin is a fledgling author who posted a series of short stories in Reddit’s forums about what would happen if U.S. Marines traveled back in time to fight the Roman Empire. Warner Bros. took notice and moved to buy the movie rights. But Reddit’s user agreement may turn his dream into a intellectual property nightmare.
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Posted on September 13, 2011 in Contracts and Law | No Comments
We have all seen those government warnings on DVDs. You may have even seen some “indie” films include the warning before their little epic either to look “professional” or because of an irrational fear someone may steal their Zombie Space Opera.
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Posted on August 25, 2011 in Contracts and Law, Legal & Copyright | 2 Comments
CGP Grey takes a look at the history of copyright law in his new video “Copyright: Forever Less One Day”.
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Posted on July 14, 2011 in Contracts and Law | 2 Comments
This video from Patrick McKay is the winning entry for Public Knowledge’s video contest to create a response to YouTube’s new “copyright school” video.
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Posted on July 13, 2011 in Contracts and Law, Financing, Producing | 1 Comment
We post lots of stuff about contracts, the law and other boring topics. I believe they are some of the most important articles on IQ. Although it may not be much of a surprise that they are the least read. So, in a effort to provide a spoonful of sugar to help the medicine go down we created this new series, “Something Educational & Something F*cking Stupid.”
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Posted on June 9, 2011 in Contracts and Law, Financing | 9 Comments
The Securities and Exchange Commission on Wednesday reached a settlement with two advertising executives that used their website BuyaBeerCompany.com along with social networking websites Twitter and Facebook to secure pledges of $200m in an experimental effort to buy Pabst Brewing Company. What does this have to do with filmmakers?
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Posted on May 5, 2011 in Contracts and Law, Featured, Legal & Copyright | No Comments
What’s difference between an idea an the expression of an idea? What’s the difference between borrowing and stealing? What’s covered under Copyright and what’s not? If you want clear answers to those questions, hire a layer! If you want a basic understanding, keep reading.
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Posted on April 15, 2011 in Contracts and Law, Outtakes | No Comments
Today is tax day here in the U.S., so we thought it was a good time to post this 1943 short animated film where Donald Duck wants you to pay your income taxes and support the war effort. Looking back at this 68 year old video, it’s hard to believe there once was a time when taxpayers where expected to fund wars… right?
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Posted on April 8, 2011 in Contracts and Law, Filmmaking 360 | 3 Comments
Almost everyone that has worked in the creative field has at one time (or more likely many times) has had to fight for the money that is owed them. Mike Monteiro has some advice for you, learn these four words: “Fuck you. Pay Me!”
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Posted on April 8, 2011 in Acting, Contracts and Law | No Comments
A separate business banking account is a must for every filmmaker. Even before you make the millions. The Lazy Actor explains why!
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Posted on January 25, 2011 in Contracts and Law, Financing, Pre-production | No Comments
The filmmaker’s role as business operator creates specific duties of care and loyalty to the investors. Because the filmmaker is also an employee of the company and a primary beneficiary of the film project, the filmmaker must take great care to respect these fiduciary obligations and to carefully disclose the various conflicts of interest to the investors before they agree to invest in the project.
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Posted on January 18, 2011 in Contracts and Law | No Comments
Who is the biggest dead celebrity money maker in the world? If you said Elbert Einstein you would be right. Another interesting fact reported by Steve Kroft of 60 Minutes is (according to the IRS) there are currently over 84,000 people listing Elvis Impersonator as their primary profession. Somehow those two facts make the World seem right.
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Posted on October 28, 2010 in Contracts and Law | No Comments
The Visual Effects Society (VES) recently held an event in Los Angeles titled “The 1099 Dilemma” (1099 being the name of the IRS form for Independent Contractors) to examine labor issues facing companies and artists. What follows is a break down of their event with some insight into the issues you will face when working in the industry.
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Posted on August 31, 2010 in Contracts and Law, Financing, Producing | 1 Comment
Being a filmmaker is like starting your own business and you need to think of it that way. The role and responsibilities of a filmmaker can be abstract and over glamorized for many starting out. They only see the artistic or technical aspects, but when it comes to the business side they don’t have a clue.
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Posted on August 18, 2010 in Contracts and Law | No Comments
Want to show the classic Warner Bros. movie in your film? What can you do? Legal Ease has the answer.
…It is possible Warners will license you a few Casablanca clips. It’s also possible I will win the Pulitzer Prize for this blog. Both are equally likely, but my money is on the Pulitzer. [...]
