I am a solo artist & in negotiations to sell song to a new cable TV show. I have 2 feature film music supervisors interested in using my songs as well. Splitting everything 50-50 with 1 producer. Would I be able to handle the negotiation process myself or would I need a lawyer to handle this? I know I will need a lawyer for the contracts, but not sure about the negotiation process. Thanks, any information will be greatly appreciated.

If the writer-director has a non-work-for-hire contract to produce write, direct and produce a film in association with a second production company but (per contract) holds all copyrights and ownership of the film until the film is complete and there is a distribution deal does the writer-director-producer own all the footage shot to date if the film is still not complete?

I've allowed filiming at my home in Northridge for a couple of months and the filming was permitted by Film LA, however, some of the neighbors complained to the city councilman and Film LA has decided not to extend any more permits to the location for the time being. The permits were not violated andt the city council office claims that they have no influence over film la, but have stated to film la that they prefer no filming at my home. I don' t believe i've violated any zoning rules otherwise building and safety would have notified me. In fact they came out to the house several weeks ago and said there was nothing wrong. The vice department also came to the house and said everything was ok. Can film la withhold this permit and does the council office have a true argument (they are unwilling to listen to both sides and do not want a debate)?

can i video strangers in public places without their permission?

I'm a high school video production teacher in southern California. I want to do a lot for the school and my class, however the administration is short on answers for the questions I have.

1. I would like to show movies to help supplement the class. However, a few things come up. Beside the district rules, if the movie is not part of the library, I cannot show it in its entirety. If I just wanted to show a part of a movie would I be ok? I heard that the newer Digital Media Act makes a stipulation for film professors. Might a high school teacher be given the same privilege as well?

2. I would like to do a film club. I would show a film and we analyze it. From the way I've been reading rules and such, this doesn't seem possible at all because of copyright law unless the movie is already a part of the library.

3. I'm planning to do a video yearbook to supplement the real yearbook. Students would like to use songs by popular artists in sync with their footage. Since we plan on selling the video yearbook, we could run into copyright again. What could I do to fix this problem? How would I go about finding out more information?

Hello- I am a documentary filmmaker in California. Part of the documentary will include scenes of actual sex with non-actors (who have signed releases to participate). Can I legally film sex acts on private property in California if participants sign releases? Thank you.

California film investment Is there currently a Tax Deductible investment procedure for private investors for independent film in California? Example: Can I get 10,000 from five people and have them be able to write it off? Thank you for your help and consideration.

I am a film writer. Last year a film company started a process to purchase a script I wrote. In the end, I wasn't happy with the deal and walked away. After I departed, the company went on to write a screenplay and produce a film based on elements of BOTH my script and a treatment I have for the material. They are claiming they own the treatment because I met with them to discuss the story. I've been in the film business a long time. Sold and optioned a few scripts, etc. I know the burden of proof will be on me in an infringement case, and I don't go into this lightly or with emotion. My question: is there any merit to the claim that they OWN --exclusively-- the treatment I wrote because we discussed the story together? And when it comes to the burden of proof, will I be able to use that treatment as an infringing article? The story they wrote borrows heavily from both script and treatment, but the treatment was written AFTER the meeting I had with them. The contract was on the table at this point. I felt I was operating in good faith.

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