Demystifying legals in film

Reclaim The Frame and ScreenSkills Film Skills Fund have teamed up to offer a free webinar for early career filmmakers and onwards, to gain knowledge about financing and fundraising for feature films, and about how to secure the rights and paperwork you need ready for financing. With a view to be inclusive to all, including those who might feel marginalised within the industry, both sessions will take place online and include the chance to ask the speakers questions without judgement. 

In Demystifying legals, we’ll look at how to set up a deal and secure the rights you need, ready for financing. From how to option a book or screenplay, through to what’s involved in a writers, development or contributor agreement, we’ll look at the legals in films including at what stage to bring in a lawyer.

This is Session 2 out of 2 for this Webinar. Please see the bookings page for Demystifying financing in film here. You will to book each session separately. 

Who it's for

This webinar is being produced by UK film charity Reclaim The Frame whose mission is to champion marginalised gender filmmakers and build community for them, and ScreenSkills, the industry-led skills body for the screen industries – film, television (including children's, unscripted and high-end), VFX (visual effects), animation and games.

Both sessions are free and open to all and will be live captioned and BSL interpreted.  

What it covers

Session 2 (14:00 - 16:00) Demystifying legals in film

14:00 - 14:10

Welcome and intros from Melanie Iredale, Director of Reclaim The Frame, and  Emma Turner, ScreenSkills' Head of Film, Animation and Future Skills.

14:10 - 15:20 Panel: 

In Demystifying legals in film, we’ll look at how to set up a deal and secure the rights you need, ready for financing. From how to option a book or screenplay, through to what’s involved in a writers, development or contributor agreement, we’ll look at the chain of title, from origination to exploitation, the various agreements needed, and at what stage to bring in a lawyer.

Speakers will include:

• Ana Santos, Head of Legal & Business Affairs at Bankside Films 
• Suzanne Alizart, Head of Business Affairs at Doc Society 
• Fi Tudur, Senior Associate at Lee & Thompson
• Fozia O’Dowd, producer (moderator) 

Topics covered will include: 

• Optioning - Considerations when starting a project with writers and/or IP.
• Development -  What to expect and the importance of getting deal terms right for you.
• Financing - What is needed for the package and when is the right time to start conversations.
• Thinking about the 'Three P's: Pre Production; Production; Post - Production
• Navigating Sales and Distribution - thinking about when and how is best to approach your Sales and Distribution partner and what materials to go there with.

15:20 - 15:50 Q&A 

15:50-16:00 Close

How to apply

Please click 'Get ticket' to book a place on this webinar. You will need to be logged into your ScreenSkills account to do this.