Independent Producers’ Guide to Film and TV Contracts

First time film-makers, producers and writers will find this Independent Producers’ Guide an essential reference tool. The numerous examples of typical legal agreements contained in the book are wide ranging; from the deals that a producer must make at the outset of a project to acquire source rights, through to production and co-production and distribution arrangements for the finished product.

Each agreement is closely annotated with comments and guidelines on how the deals are structured. They provide simple explanations of provisions contained within the agreements, identifying potential pitfalls faced by producers as well as giving general advice.

The accompanying free CD-ROM contains templates of all agreements found in the book. These are intended to be downloaded and tailored for your own use.

Philip Alberstat is a media finance and production lawyer specialising in film, television and broadcasting. He has worked on films such as The 51st State, Goodbye Mr Steadman, Tooth and numerous television programmes and series. He is on the editorial board of Entertainment Law Review and is the author of The Independent Producers Guide to Film and TV Contracts (2000), and Law and the Media (2002).

Philip is involved in raising finance for film and television productions and negotiating and structuring film and television deals. He undertakes corporate and commercial work and handles the intellectual property aspects of broadcasting and finance transactions. He has also executive produced numerous film and television productions. He won an Emmy Award in 2004 as an Executive Producer of the Film, “The Incredible Mrs. Ritchie”.

Philip joined Osborne Clarke as a partner in February 2002. Prior to that he was Head of Legal and Business Affairs with one of the largest independent TV production companies in the UK. He was previously Head of Media at Baker & McKenzie and began his career at Olswang. He was winner of the Lawyer/Hifal Award for Solicitor of the year in 1997 and is listed in Legal Experts in the area of Film Finance/Media.

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