Independent Film

What Effect Will New York’s New Law Providing for a Post-Mortem Right of Publicity Have on Nonfiction Filmmakers Starting May 29?

May 18, 2021 Documentary Toolkit

What is the Significance of a “Work for Hire” Clause in a Contract?

Mar 30, 2021 Documentary Toolkit

What Role Can Mediation Play in Resolving Disputes that Arise During Production of Documentary Films?

Mar 23, 2021 Documentary Toolkit

Given the Alarming Number of Assaults on Journalists Covering Political Events and Protests, How Might Legal Protection for Documentary Filmmakers be Strengthened?

Jan 5, 2021 Documentary Toolkit

If Filmmaking During the COVID-era is Inherently Risky, Can Filmmakers Require Crew or Subjects to Assume Their Own Risk and Waive Legal Claims Against the Producer?

Dec 1, 2020 Documentary Toolkit

What If I Can’t Afford or Don’t Want to Use an Aggregator? Is DIY Digital Distribution a Feasible Plan?

Nov 9, 2020 Documentary Toolkit

To Distribute My Feature-Length Independent Documentary in Digital Media, Should I Use an Aggregator or a Distributor?

Oct 27, 2020 Documentary Toolkit

Works Made for Hire: Five Things to Know

Oct 26, 2020 FWRV Legal

How Can Geoblocking Impact the Video-On-Demand Marketplace?

Oct 20, 2020 Documentary Toolkit

How Hollywood Can Fight Racism: A Conversation with Alan Jenkins and Flo Mitchell-Brown

Jul 9, 2020 Webinars and Podcasts

Video: “Best Practices for Documentary Film” Episode #4 (Special Guest: David Dinerstein)

Jul 9, 2020 Webinars and Podcasts

How Hollywood Can Fight Racism – FWRV Presents a Webinar Conversation with Alan Jenkins and Flo Mitchell-Brown

Jun 25, 2020 Webinars and Podcasts

Back to the New Future: 5 Industry Guidelines for Film/TV/Streaming Productions to Return

Jun 11, 2020 FWRV Legal

Video: “Best Practices for Documentary Film” Episode #3 (Special Guest: Neil Rosini)

May 21, 2020 Webinars and Podcasts

Video: “Best Practices for Documentary Film” Episode #2 (Special Guest: Joe Berlinger)

May 12, 2020 Webinars and Podcasts

Video: “Best Practices for Documentary Film” Episode #1 (Special Guest: Robert Friedman)

May 4, 2020 Webinars and Podcasts

Five Things for a Brand to Consider About Influencer Marketing.

Apr 23, 2020 FWRV Legal

What you should know about Covid-19 and Force Majeure.

Apr 16, 2020 FWRV Legal

COVID-19 Message to Our Clients

Mar 18, 2020 Firm Insights

What Key Factors Should be Considered When Evaluating Ex-U.S.A. Production Incentives for Documentary Productions?

Feb 19, 2020 Documentary Toolkit

It’s Tempting to Take Photos and Excerpts of Clips from Seemingly Non-Professional Sources That Have Been Uploaded to YouTube and Other Internet Sites, and Use Them in a Documentary as a “Fair Use.” But is it Legal?

Feb 18, 2020 Documentary Toolkit

If a Nonfiction Story in a Newspaper or Magazine Inspires Me to Do a Documentary or a Nonfiction Podcast Serial or TV Series on the Same Subject, Do I Have to Ask the Author or Publisher for Permission?

Nov 12, 2019 Documentary Toolkit

Why is the Insurance Concept of “Voluntary Parting” a Problem for Equipment Owners in Peer-to-Peer Rentals?

Nov 8, 2019 Documentary Toolkit

Should Documentary Producers Be Concerned About Copyrights in Wildlife Footage in Light of the “Monkey Selfie” Dispute?

Sep 24, 2019 Documentary Toolkit

Are All Works by the U.S. Federal Government in the Public Domain, and If So, Why Would a Documentary Maker Pay an Archive for Them?

Sep 17, 2019 Documentary Toolkit

My Documentary Has a Celebrity Host and We’ll Be Filming in a Remote Location. What Now?

Sep 10, 2019 Documentary Toolkit

HBO’s Unlicensed Use of Painting in “Slenderman” Documentary is Too Ambiguous to Avoid Infringement Lawsuit

Sep 3, 2019 Documentary Toolkit

Court Agrees: Use of “Super Bowl Shuffle” in Documentary is Fair Use

Jun 4, 2019 Documentary Toolkit

Memorializing Relationships Early Pays Off Later Part 3: What Other Types of Agreements Should Filmmakers Make in the Early Stages of Documentary Productions?

Mar 12, 2019 Documentary Toolkit

Memorializing Relationships Early Pays Off Later Part 2: Does a Film Producer Make a Mistake By Not Entering Into Work For Hire Agreements with Film Crew, Talent, Writers and Other Independent Contractors Whom She Hires?

Mar 5, 2019 Documentary Toolkit

Memorializing Relationships Early Pays Off Later Part 1: How Can a Documentary Filmmaker/Producer Manage Investor Relationships and Avoid Conflict?

Feb 26, 2019 Documentary Toolkit

Fair Use Doesn’t Shield Unlicensed Use of a Personal Photo – Even When the President Crashes a Wedding

Jan 8, 2019 Documentary Toolkit

Public Domain Safety Zone Advances a Year

Jan 2, 2019 Documentary Toolkit

A Practical Discussion of Appearance Releases Part 5: What Should You Do If You Discover in Post-Production That Your Team Neglected to Obtain an Appearance Release from an Interview Subject?

Dec 25, 2018 Documentary Toolkit

A Practical Discussion of Appearance Releases Part 4: Can an On-Camera Verbal Release Substitute for a Written Release?

Dec 18, 2018 Documentary Toolkit

A Practical Discussion of Appearance Releases Part 3: What Is an “Area Release” and What Purpose Does It Serve?

Dec 11, 2018 Documentary Toolkit

A Practical Discussion of Appearance Releases Part 2: Why Might Documentary Producers Obtain Appearance Releases Even Though They Don’t Have To?

Dec 4, 2018 Documentary Toolkit

A Practical Discussion of Appearance Releases Part 1: What Does a Documentary Appearance Release Typically Contain?

Nov 27, 2018 Documentary Toolkit

The Ins and Outs of Educational Distribution Part 1: What Are Educational Rights and How Are They Monetized?

May 21, 2018 Documentary Toolkit

E&O Part 1: What is E&O Insurance?

Nov 21, 2017 Documentary Toolkit

Foreign Sales Agreements: Key Terms for Independent Filmmakers

Sep 19, 2017 Documentary Toolkit