Professional-level filmmaking requires a plethora of legal paperwork and contracts. Having an entertainment attorney work with your team to develop the production’s legal framework is a must! Furthermore, filmmakers have a bevy of options for getting their projects made but little understanding of the ramifications of the various types of studios, distribution and co-production agreements. In that vein, the Essence Film Festival has partnered with the Black Entertainment and Sports Lawyers Association (“BESLA”) to gather the following panelists for a discussion on the legal aspects of indie filmmaking:

• Joshua A. Edwards, Esq., Partner, Fox Rothschild LLP (Moderator)
• Keisha Perry Walker, Esq., Managing Attorney, The Perry Law Group
• Aziza Bowser, Esq., Sr. Counsel, Production Risk, Business & Legal Affairs, Paramount Global
• Amin Joseph, Actor/Producer/Director – Snowfall, Baywatch, Dope, To Live and Die and Live
• Tony Brackett, Esq., Director/Sr. Counsel, Original Series, Netflix (Invited)

Part A: Panel Discussion During this 60-minutes panel discussion, the attorneys will discuss the following legal concepts:

• Development Considerations:
  • Rights Acquisition (Option, Collaboration & Shopping Agmt)
  • Types of Rights (Books, Screenplay, Teleplay, Life Rights)
  • Becoming Signatory & Union Issues (WGA, SAG, DGA, IATSE)
  • Single Purpose Entity LLC’s (Active vs Passive Investors)
  • Financing Considerations (Equity, Deficit Finance (License), Negative Pick-Up (Acquisition))
• Production Considerations:
  • Employment agreements for actors, writers, producers, and crew;
  • Union vs Non-Union (Sag ULB, MLB, LB + Diversity Bumps)
  • Types of Production (Documentary/Scripted/Bio-Pics)
  • Location agreements;
  • Production Legal Packet (Appearance, Material and Asset Releases / Location Agreements, Crew Agreements);  
  • Clearances & Licensing (Music Licensing/Title Reports & Opinion Letters/Fair Use).
• Distribution Considerations:
  • Sales Rep (Agent) versus Producer Rep Aggregators
  • Direct Distribution (Studio/Network)
  • Distribution Windows (Streamers vs Traditional Windows)

Part B: Table-Breakout/Round Robin Immediately following the panel, the panelists and other representatives from BESLA will conduct individual 30-minute breakout sessions where filmmakers can ask more in-depth questions about their particular projects.

Please note there is a cost to attend.