Business of TV and Film
Business of TV and Film
Business of TV and Film
Most films go through pre-production but never get made. Many projects get optioned and scripts get written but
do not get financed.
What is development?
Optioning film & tv rights – an agreement to acquire something on the happening of certain events in
the future.
Engaging a writer – write a script based on the copyright material.
Clearing rights – a matter of judgment.
Attaching a director – There should be an agreement with the director to capture all their contributions
to the script (i.e. assignment of their copyright).
Creating a budget and finance plan.
OPTION AGREEMENTS
In return for a fee, a producer has a period of time in which they can develop the film. On developing the
film, then the rights will be assigned to the producer.
Adapting a product without an agreement leads to copyright infringement.
If there is no option agreement, other producers may also vie for the product.
There is no such thing as a free option – there must always be consideration.
WRITER’S AGREEMENT
The writer is paid wages for each stage of writing.
Principal photography payment payment on the making of the film.
Loan-out company the writer may have a loan-out company which owns their copyrights. An
inducement letter must be should be obtained from the writer.
REAL PEOPLE/EVENTS
Error & Omission insurance
Negative checks Lawyers must ensure they have not included characters that could be mistaken for
a real life counterpart.
Harman Pictures it is possible to write a script/produce a film based on historical events and infringe
the copyright of a book based on the same event.