Show Business Law: Motion Pictures, Television, Video

by Peter Muller

Overview

The entertainment business is a most democratic field, offering success to anyone who has the talent, ability, and drive to master their art. But in order to achieve this goal, an individual must also possess knowledge, particularly in the area of contracts and agreements. This work represents a comprehensive overview of the procedures, timing, and agreements used in the motion picture, television, and video industries, and provides model contracts and explanations as to why specific clauses are employed and what the mutual benefits of each may be.

The work presents the major contracts utilized in the show business industry in a manner that is readable and understandable to artists, producers, writers, directors, and other members of the entertainment community. Peter Muller breaks the contracts down to their essential elements, and offers detailed accounts of their legal implications for both parties involved. Among the contracts and agreements examined are the personal manager, agent, actor, director, and screen writer agreements; the motion picture distribution agreement; pay-per-view; licensing feature films for television syndication; international coproductions; home video license agreements; endorsements; and independent production financing. This hands-on guide to show business law will prove to be a valuable addition to public, academic, and law libraries, as well as a useful reference tool for literary and talent agencies, entertainment companies, and individuals in the entertainment industry.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780899304939
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	11/21/1990
Pages:	280
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.69(d)

About the Author

PETER MULLER is an attorney in the entertainment industry. He is President of M.E.G., an entertainment company, the past President of ACA Joe, and has extensive experience in the business of motion picture production.

Table of Contents

The Acquisition of Motion Picture Rights by Option
The Personal Manager Agreement
The Agent Agreement
The Actor Agreement
The Screen Writer Agreement
The Producer Agreement
The Director Agreement
Master Recording Use for a Motion Picture and Synchronization Rights
The Motion Picture Distribution Agreement: The Worldwide Pick-Up Deal
The Pay-Per-View Agreement
Licensing Feature Films for Television Syndication
International Coproductions
The Home Video License Agreement
Endorsements
Independent Production Financing
The Attorney and the Accountant
Appendix A: Copyright Registration Forms
Appendix B: Labor Organizations and Associations
Bibliography
Index