Resources
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for general informational purposes only and may not reflect the current law in your jurisdiction. No information contained in this website should be construed as legal advice from the individual author, nor is it intended to be a substitute for legal counsel on any subject matter. No reader of this website should act or refrain from acting on the basis of any information included in, or accessible through, this website without seeking the appropriate legal or other professional advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from a lawyer licensed in the recipient’s state, country or other appropriate licensing jurisdiction.
Directories and Indexes
Internet Movie Database
A comprehensive database that features full credits for films and detailed filmographies - beginning with early cinema and continuing through films still in production. Site is regularly updated
The Film Catalogue
The Film Catalogue® is IFTA's online database for independent films with up-to-date information on thousands of projects and films available at all major markets, including AFM, EFM, FILMART and Cannes. Buyers can read synopses, view cast, production credits and posters, watch trailers, and easily search by production status, genre, language, director, cast, company and title.
CINANDO
Cinando was launched by the Marché du Film - Festival de Cannes in 2003 as the complete database of the attendees at Cannes. Since then, it has become the premier network offering film professionals tools to navigate the film industry including contacts, films, projects in development, market screening schedules and market attendees.
MovieBytes
A complete database of screenwriting contests that provides e-mail newsletter with deadline reminders and contest news.
Global Photographers Search
Database for photographers, photo assistants, industry suppliers, models and stock photography.
All-Movie Guide
Search engine for film titles, persons or keywords.
IFTA Award Summaries
IFTA makes publicly available summaries of Final Awards issued in IFTA Arbitrations from January 2007 onward in order to provide more information regarding IFTA Arbitration cases and how they were resolved.
Right of Publicity Database
Index of State laws regarding Right of Publicity.
A comprehensive database that features full credits for films and detailed filmographies - beginning with early cinema and continuing through films still in production. Site is regularly updated
The Film Catalogue
The Film Catalogue® is IFTA's online database for independent films with up-to-date information on thousands of projects and films available at all major markets, including AFM, EFM, FILMART and Cannes. Buyers can read synopses, view cast, production credits and posters, watch trailers, and easily search by production status, genre, language, director, cast, company and title.
CINANDO
Cinando was launched by the Marché du Film - Festival de Cannes in 2003 as the complete database of the attendees at Cannes. Since then, it has become the premier network offering film professionals tools to navigate the film industry including contacts, films, projects in development, market screening schedules and market attendees.
MovieBytes
A complete database of screenwriting contests that provides e-mail newsletter with deadline reminders and contest news.
Global Photographers Search
Database for photographers, photo assistants, industry suppliers, models and stock photography.
All-Movie Guide
Search engine for film titles, persons or keywords.
IFTA Award Summaries
IFTA makes publicly available summaries of Final Awards issued in IFTA Arbitrations from January 2007 onward in order to provide more information regarding IFTA Arbitration cases and how they were resolved.
Right of Publicity Database
Index of State laws regarding Right of Publicity.
Entertainment News and Trade Publications
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Professional publication for the serious screenwriter.
List of recent script or screenplay sales in Hollywood. Plus interviews with screenwriter, screenwriting books, and an agencies list. Film magazine for screenwriters. Interviews and articles covering the creative and professional aspects of working, writing, and sucking up in Hollywood. A daily independent film news service. Reviews, showtimes, releases, and more. Guide to independent film and filmmaking from around the world. Daily reports on a wide range of Entertainment related stories. Online Entertainment trade newspaper A weekly entertainment guide that provides an entertaining and informative look at the film scene. The site features film reviews, special reports, weekly trivia contests, and interviews with directors and actors from yesterday and today. An international online entertainment news service An on-line performing arts resource that offers information on casting and entertainment related news stories and events. In addition to articles from the magazine, this site features resource listings and late-breaking stories. Box Office Mojo is an online movie publication and box office reporting service. Its purpose is to illuminate the movies through the integration of art and business. Based in Burbank, California, its staff produces analysis, reviews, interviews and the most comprehensive box office tracking available online. Movie analyst Brandon Gray founded the publication in 1999. Box Office Mojo has grown into the No. 1 box office destination worldwide, currently averaging over 2 million unique visitors per month. |
Film Schools
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Offers advanced hands-on training through an MFA degree program. Six disciplines are available: cinematography, directing, editing, producing, production design and screenwriting. www.afi.com
School founded on the notions of experimentation, critical reflection and independent inquiry. www.calarts.edu Curriculum centered on film as a storytelling medium. MFA program lasts 3-5 years. www.columbia.edu/cu/arts The Hollywood Film Institute (HFI) is a movie resource center and film school. One-year Immersion Filmmaking Program. Industry professionals are involved in the mentoring program. Only school in the country offering an HD soundstage/post-production facility and a THX Dolby digital theater. www.lafilm.com Despite the name, it has been around since 1926. Offers a broad interdisciplinary curriculum. In addition to the technical skills, it emphasizes critical thinking and responsible filmmaking. www.nsu.newschool.edu A top program in the country; NYU offers undergrad, MFA and PhD programs specializing in history, theory and criticism. www.nyu.edu/tisch Well-respected writing seminars attended by beginners and industry veterans. www.mckeestory.com Offers one-year certificate programs. Also offers evening classes, weekend seminars and online classes for working professionals. Programs of study include film history, theory and creative and technical aspects of filmmaking. www.tft.ucla.edu A top program worldwide which offers specialization in animation and digital arts, critical studies, film and TV production, interactive media and screenwriting. Offers state of the art technical facilities. Close interaction with top industry veterans. A summer program is also available. http://cinema.usc.edu/summer/ Bridges the gap from intellectual understanding of the writing process and applying the knowledge. Offers hands-on classes from ideas to a finished script. www.writersbootcamp.com |
Insurance
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420 Lexington Avenue, Suite 2720
New York, NY 10170 Phone: (212) 867-3550 Fax: (212) 983-6483 801 N. Brand Boulevard, Suite 650 Glendale, CA 91203 Phone: (818) 623-5400 Fax: (818) 623-5500 All types of insurance 320 W. 57th Street New York, NY 10019 Phone: (212) 603-0231 / (800) 827-7363 Fax: (978) 313-0872 Entertainment Insurance Broker reiffd@tanhar.com 707 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 2600 Los Angeles, CA 90017 Phone: (213) 630-3200 Fax: (213) 689-9569 Insurance Broker 555 S. Flower Street Los Angeles, CA 90017 Phone: (213) 612-0880 Fax: (213) 612-5731 Insurance Company 6767 Forest Lawn Dr., Suite 301 Los Angeles, CA 90068 Phone: (323) 883-0012 Fax: (323) 883-0024 Entertainment Insurance Broker Contact: Jesus Abad, (323) 301-1086 Entertainment Industry Division 10 Universal City Plaza, Suite 2800 Universal City, CA 91608 Phone: (818) 487-6100 Fax: (818) 487-6172 5727 SW Macadam Avenue Portland, OR 97239 Phone: (503) 293-8325 Fax: (503) 977-5848 Insurance Retail & Broker Contact: Jeffrey Lang, info@galescreek.com 15303 Ventura Boulevard Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 Phone: (818) 742-1400 Fax: (847) 953-2480 ruben@aon.com 171 Madison Avenue, Suite 401 New York, NY 10016 Phone: (212) 627-7400 Fax: (212) 633-1457 rubenNY@aon.com 19 Fulton Street Suite 308A New York NY 10038 Phone: (212) 406-4499 Fax: (212) 406-7584 staff@csins.com |
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Completion Bonds
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Film Finances Incorporated
9000 Sunset Boulevard Suite 1400
Los Angeles, CA 90069
Phone: (310) 275-7323
Fax: (310) 275-1706
Completion Bond Company
ffi@ffi.com
9000 Sunset Boulevard Suite 1400
Los Angeles, CA 90069
Phone: (310) 275-7323
Fax: (310) 275-1706
Completion Bond Company
ffi@ffi.com
Government Sites
U.S. Copyright Office
Download Copyright forms and obtain useful information about copyright from this official Copyright site from the Library of Congress.
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Free searchable databases; includes the US Patent Bibliographic Database and the AIDS Patent Database.
California Secretary of State
This site provides general information and forms for business filings and a database to search California business records.
Canadian Intellectual Property Office
Allows users to search the database for the patents, trademarks, copyrights, and other forms of intellectual property in Canada.
The Internal Revenue Service
Site for information on the IRS and filing taxes.
Bureau of Consumer Protection, Federal Trade Commission Service
The FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection enforces laws that protect consumers against unfair or deceptive practices.
Download Copyright forms and obtain useful information about copyright from this official Copyright site from the Library of Congress.
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Free searchable databases; includes the US Patent Bibliographic Database and the AIDS Patent Database.
California Secretary of State
This site provides general information and forms for business filings and a database to search California business records.
Canadian Intellectual Property Office
Allows users to search the database for the patents, trademarks, copyrights, and other forms of intellectual property in Canada.
The Internal Revenue Service
Site for information on the IRS and filing taxes.
Bureau of Consumer Protection, Federal Trade Commission Service
The FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection enforces laws that protect consumers against unfair or deceptive practices.
Guilds and Organizations
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Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences The Independent (AIVF) The American Film Institute Independent Film and Television Alliance (IFTA) Directors Guild of America Frameline Online ITVS Alliance of Media Arts and Culture Screen Actors Guild (SAG) - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) Women in Film Writers Guild of America (WGA) Actors Equity Association The Association of Film Commissioners International California Lawyers For the Arts The Gotham PKA Independent Feature Project International Documentary Association Gen Art EIF ASCAP MPAA/MPA NABET Writers Guild of Canada Writers Union of Canada ACTRA Producers Guild of America HRTS ATAS National Association of Broadcasters The Caucus for TV Producers, Writers & Directors BAFTA BAFTA Los Angeles Casting Society of America |
The organization that votes on the Oscars.
Publication that provides information for independent filmmakers on membership, events, and publications related to the entertainment industry. National arts organization dedicated to preserving the heritage of film and television, identifying and training new talent, and increasing the recognition of the moving image as an art form. Trade association of 130 motion picture and television production and distribution companies. Official site of the Directors Guild of America. A non-profit organization dedicated to exhibition, distribution, promotion and funding of lesbian and gay film and video, Frameline also presents the annual San Francisco International Lesbian & Gay Film Festival. ITVS brings independently produced programs to television - programs that engage creative risks, advance issues, and represent points of view not usually seen on commercial or public television. ITVS is committed to programming which addresses the needs of under- served audiences, particularly minorities and children. Includes their full text Study of the Field of Independent Distribution. A non-profit membership organization of over 300 independent film, video, and multi-media centers nationwide that includes a directory of organizations, publications, resources, and archives of the NAMAC newsletter. Official site of SAG-AFTRA. National labor union representing performers, journalists, and other artists working in the entertainment and news media. Aims to "Recognize, develop, and actively promote the unique visions of women" in the industry. Features articles, interview, and event calender. A professional forum for the advancement and celebration of women working in the industry. Information on the Writers Guild as well as news that affect writers. Actors' Equity Association ("AEA" or "Equity"), founded in 1913, is the labor union that represents more than 48,000 Actors and Stage Managers in the United States. Equity seeks to advance, promote and foster the art of live theatre as an essential component of our society. Equity negotiates wages and working conditions and provides a wide range of benefits, including health and pension plans, for its members. Actors' Equity is a member of the AFL-CIO, and is affiliated with FIA, an international organization of performing arts unions. Allows film makers to search the database to find film commissioners. The site that provides lawyer referrals, dispute resolution services, educational programs and a public resource library. The site for the national organization that provides information on programs, jobs and events for independent filmmakers and industry professionals. It also has information on the Spirit Award. The site provides information on events and festivals for documentary filmmakers. Gen Art is the leading arts and entertainment organization dedicated to showcasing emerging fashion designers, filmmakers, musicians and visual artists. With offices in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami and Chicago Gen Art produces over 100 events annually ranging from media generating high profile programs including a week-long film festival to star-studded fashion shows to the Vanguard Art Fair during Miami Art Basel, to more intimate programs such as art receptions and tours, film screenings and live music showcases. The Entertainment Industry Foundation harnesses the collective power of the entertainment industry and channels its unique assets to raise awareness and funds for critical health, educational and social issues in order to make a positive impact in our community and throughout the nation. ASCAP is a membership association of more than 370,000 U.S. composers, songwriters, lyricists, and music publishers of every kind of music. Through agreements with affiliated international societies, ASCAP also represents hundreds of thousands of music creators worldwide. ASCAP is the only U.S. performing rights organization created and controlled by composers, songwriters and music publishers, with a Board of Directors elected by and from the membership. Motion Picture Association of America National Association of Broadcast Employees & Technicians The Writers Guild of Canada (WGC) represents more than 2,000 professional English-language screenwriters in Canada. The Writers’ Union of Canada is a not-for-profit organization established in 1973 to support and advocate on behalf of Canada’s book published authors. The Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists is the union of professional performers working in English-language recorded media in Canada including TV, film, radio and digital media. The Producers Guild of America is the non-profit trade group that represents, protects and promotes the interests of all members of the producing team in film, television and new media. Hollywood Radio & Television Society is an information and networking forum that gathers together leading industry executives and companies representing broadcast and cable networks, studios, talent and management agencies, producers, legal and financial firms, new media companies and more to address issues that are relevant to the ongoing success and future of the industry business. The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences is a nonprofit organization devoted to the advancement of telecommunication arts and sciences and to fostering creative leadership in the telecommunication industry. NAB is the voice for the nation’s radio and television broadcasters. As the premier trade association for broadcasters, NAB advances the interests of our members in federal government, industry and public affairs; improves the quality and profitability of broadcasting; encourages content and technology innovation; and spotlights the important and unique ways stations serve their communities. The Caucus strives to elevate program quality in Television and New Media by promoting and protecting the artistic, intellectual and economic rights of Producers, Writers & Directors. The British Academy of Film and Television Arts is the leading independent charity supporting, developing and promoting the art forms of the moving image in the UK - from Film and Television to Video Games and Interactive Media. Los Angeles Chapter Organization of theatrical Casting Directors in film, television, and theatre. |
Legal Research and Information
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California Civil Code
Find Law LawCrawler Thomas Versus Law MC2 The Law Firm (formally Wired Law ) The Legal Information Institute Cardozo Law School Arts and Entertainment Law Journal UCLA Entertainment Law Review Moorad Sports Law Journal Vanderbilt Law School Research Guide on Music and Entertainment Law Internet Legal Resource Guide American Bar Association Journal Los Angeles County Bar Association NOLO Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts (New York) Harvard Law School Committee on Sports & Entertainment Entertainment Arts and Sports Law Society of Columbia Law School Loyola Law School’s Entertainment and Sports Law Society Ohio State University Sports and Entertainment Law Association Hofstra University School of Law Sports and Entertainment Law Society Washington University Sports and Entertainment Law Society University of Oregon Sports & Entertainment Law Association Stanford Entertainment and Sports Law Association Musicians’ Intellectual Law & Resources Links Broadcast Music Incorporated THE VANDERBILT NEWS ARCHIVES |
A collection of the statutes that govern the general obligations and rights of persons within the jurisdiction of the State of California.
Best place online for getting free legal material. Wide range of subjects are provided including U.S. Supreme Court Opinions, and U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rulings. Search online law resources. Thomas is the website of the Library of Congress and is the best legal research site for the official laws of the United States. It is also the home of the Copyright Office. Provides full-text opinions from Federal and State Appellate Courts in one searchable collection on the Internet. Court opinions are updated daily. Discussion of legal and business issues for film, music, multimedia and online ventures. Searchable database covering a wide variety of legal topics. Site provides entertainment related articles and has links to other resource sites. Allows users to read a variety of entertainment law related articles on film, intellectual property, art and music. Site provides articles on entertainment law issues as well as links to other entertainment law journals around the country. Provides links to aid in reaching entertainment and music issues. A categorized index of web sites that serve as a comprehensive resource of the information available on the Internet concerning law and the legal profession. Law-related articles. Information on law related events and news stories in the Los Angeles area. This site provides self-help legal information with articles on almost any legal topic, as well as links to other helpful websites. VLA delivers legal services and information to over 10,000 members of the arts community each year. For more information please click here or call The Art Law Line : 212·319·ARTS (2787), ext.1 Since 1969, Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts has been the leading provider of educational and legal services, advocacy and mediation to the arts community. As the first arts-related legal aid organization, VLA is the model for similar organizations around the world. VLA is supported in part with public funds from the National Endowment for the Arts, the New York State Council on the Arts, a State Agency, the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, and through generous gifts from law firms, corporations, foundations and individuals. CSEL works to bring speakers to campus that have experience working in the sports or entertainment industries. Past speakers have included lawyers that work at large law firms serving sports and entertainment clients, agents, CEOs and General Counsels of teams and studios, and representatives from sports leagues, players associations, and talent unions. EASLS has over 70 members interested in legal careers in the entertainment, arts, and sports industries. We explore current legal trends affecting these industries through panel discussions, and we also educate students about career opportunities. EASLS members will have the chance to meet Columbia alumni who are now in top positions at entertainment and sports companies. EASLS also sponsors events to take advantage at the incredible range of entertainment that New York has to offer. Our mission is to provide Loyola students a venue to learn, discuss, and achieve careers in the field of entertainment and sports law. We offer information to secure internships as well as host seminars and lectures discussing recent and relevant issues that affect the field of entertainment and sports law. Visitors may learn about the latest events in our 'News' section. Students may also find information on jobs in our 'Internships' section. The Sports and Entertainment Law Association seeks to provide its members with practical knowledge of sports and entertainment law and to foster an atmosphere of networking and education necessary to enter those fields. In addition to hosting a number of social events, SELA provides opportunities for networking and education between SELA members and industry professionals. The group hosts speakers so that its members, as well as the student body at large, can have an opportunity to seek advice from individuals currently practicing in those areas. The original journal was entitled the Copyright and Entertainment Law Digest, and was published for only a few years. The Digest is now entitled the Sports and Entertainment Law Digest, and covers a variety of legal issues that may arise in either of these industries, such as tort liability, contract issues and intellectual property considerations. Washington University Sports and Entertainment Law Society (SELS) is an organization of students with an interest in Sports and/or Entertainment Law. The purpose of the SELS is to provide a resource for those with an interest in these fields as well as to provide a social function within the School of Law. Events range from sponsoring speakers to hosting receptions and other events. The Sports and Entertainment Law Forum (SELF) is a group that offers Oregon Law students a way to get involved in the world of sports and entertainment law. The group works closely with members of the local and regional sports and entertainment communitites to host a variety of speakers and workshops geared towards expanding student understanding of dynamics and issues unique to those industries. SESLA is a student-run organization dedicated to providing information, career support, and camaraderie for students interested in entertainment and sports industry careers. Our primary objective is to supplement the intellectual property and employment law offerings available at Stanford Law School by educating students in the specific legal principles and transactional aspects of entertainment and sports law. In addition, SESLA gives students a forum in which they can meet, exchange ideas, and learn about the entertainment and sports fields through interaction with prominent attorneys, executives, agents, managers, professors, and artists. Providing such an opportunity to meet entertainment and sports law professionals is vital to exposing Stanford students to an area of law that they typically do not encounter due to their Northern California location. SESLA seeks to achieve its goals by arranging monthly luncheons that are open to the entire law school and feature speakers from fields as diverse as film, television, music, sports, art, advertising, and interactive media. Musicians (and writers and artists) need to protect their intellectual property, i.e., their compositions, sound recordings, album cover art work, writings and band logos. Hopefully, this website will assist musicians in this regard by providing them with resource links helpful to the promotion of their music. Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) collects license fees on behalf of songwriters, composers and music publishers and distributes them as royalties to those members whose works have been performed. Vanderbilt University has been recording NBC,CBS and ABC news since 1968. You can search this database by year. It also gives abstracts of the news for any date |
Blogs
Art Law Blog
Art Law Gallery Blog
Artful Jurist
Biederman Blog
Broadcast Law Blog
Copyhype
Digital Media Law
Entertainment & Media Law Signal
Entertainment Law Resources Blog by Mark Litwak
GigaLaw
Independent Filmmaker Project
Intellectual Property Law Blog
Internet Cases
IP in Brief
IP Law Blog
Law of the Level
Legal Reality Blog
Media Law Prof Blog
Out-Law.com
THR, Esq.
Trademark & Copyright Law Blog
Art Law Blog
Art Law Gallery Blog
Artful Jurist
Biederman Blog
Broadcast Law Blog
Copyhype
Digital Media Law
Entertainment & Media Law Signal
Entertainment Law Resources Blog by Mark Litwak
GigaLaw
Independent Filmmaker Project
Intellectual Property Law Blog
Internet Cases
IP in Brief
IP Law Blog
Law of the Level
Legal Reality Blog
Media Law Prof Blog
Out-Law.com
THR, Esq.
Trademark & Copyright Law Blog
Production
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Serving the latest information and clips from A.R.I.Q. Footage, ABCNEWS VideoSource, Archive Films/Archive Photos, Budget Films, CASCOM, CNN ImageSource, Fabulous Footage, Film Bank, Grinberg Film Libraries, Reuters Television, Streamline Film Archives and more.
Stock Music Libraries for licensing music. Detailed information about technicians, facilities, producers and job listings worldwide. Also features an industry homepage service, where filmmakers can list their credentials and projects. A plain language resource and camera reseller dedicated to underground and independent film, with information on production, post-production, reviews, and festivals. Film Independent offers a line-up of services available at a discount to members only such as equipment rentals, casting services, computer software, consultants, copying/printing, etc. |
Talent & Literary Agents and Managers
Abrams Artists Agency
CAA (Creative Artists Agency)
ICM (International Creative Management)
WME (William Morris Endeavor)
APA Agency for the Performing Arts
ATA (Association of Talent Agents)
Paradigm Talent Agency
California Secretary of State Talent Agency Licensing Database (searchable)
Talent Managers Association
National Conference of Personal Managers
Talent Agency Act -- Labor Code Section 1700 et seq.
California Labor Commissioner cases interpreting the Talent Agency Act
Abrams Artists Agency
CAA (Creative Artists Agency)
ICM (International Creative Management)
WME (William Morris Endeavor)
APA Agency for the Performing Arts
ATA (Association of Talent Agents)
Paradigm Talent Agency
California Secretary of State Talent Agency Licensing Database (searchable)
Talent Managers Association
National Conference of Personal Managers
Talent Agency Act -- Labor Code Section 1700 et seq.
California Labor Commissioner cases interpreting the Talent Agency Act
