Description

Thanks to the proliferation of digital filmmaking, people from all walks of life are now making independent movies. Taught by attorney and author Thomas A. Crowell, this lecture will help you to issue-spot many of the problem areas faced by independent filmmakers and to negotiate key contract provisions required to protect your client’s film property.

Topics discussed include: the lifecycle of a movie, literary option agreements, rights of publicity, location releases, actor agreements, music licensing, intellectual property on the set, and more.

Thomas A. Crowell, Esq.

Currently in private practice, Thomas A. Crowell, Esq., counsels clients on a wide range of issues, including film, television, and intellectual property rights issues. He is currently the production counsel for programs produced for Discovery, Smithsonian, TLC, WE, Starz, and other cablecasters. Mr. Crowell is the author of the book: “The Pocket Lawyer for Filmmakers,” published by Focal Press.

In addition to his private practice, Mr.Crowell lectures nationally, teaching producers how to avoid common legal pitfalls in the film and television industry. He has taught film law courses at several New York institutions, including Film/Video Arts and the School of Visual Arts.

Prior to becoming an attorney, Mr. Crowell was a television producer and the head of business development for one of Japan’s premier satellite television news companies, the Science Technology Network. Mr. Crowell is strong supporter of legal pro bono work for artists and is the Executive Director emeritus of the New Jersey Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts.

Mr. Crowell received his J.D., cum laude, Order of the Coif, from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. He is admitted to the practice of law in New York and New Jersey and before the United States Supreme Court. Mr. Crowell currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors for The Black Maria Film Festival.

For more information about Mr. Crowell, as well as a sample of his articles, please log on to: www.thomascrowell.com