Top Legal Mistakes Filmmakers Make and How To Avoid Them


This post is by Nicco Valenzuela from No Film School

If you are an emerging filmmaker who is not aware of the legalities involved in filmmaking, you should really consider hiring a lawyer. You may think you can’t afford a lawyer, but what you really cannot afford to do is remain in your ignorance.

In today’s episode, No Film School’s GG Hawkins speaks with lawyer/indie film producer, Natalie LeVeck, to discuss:

  • Becoming a full-time entertainment lawyer and a part-time indie film producer
  • The difference between a manager, an agent, and a lawyer
  • Different types of lawyers and their roles
  • Why not having a lawyer is one of the worst things you can do
  • Why you should find a manager before finding a lawyer
  • Keeping quiet about your ideas so no one steals them
  • The most important deal of the entire film
  • Paying the writer a percentage versus a flat fee
  • All the things you need to save in your “Chain of Title” file
  • Getting your SAG deposit back
  • What you need to do when you first get the Distributor contract
  • Talent contracts and the clauses to include
  • Thinking about what’s important and not important to you
  • Talking to your attorney’s prior clients

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This episode of The No Film School Podcast was produced by GG Hawkins.


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