"Since the publication of its first edition in 2007, "The Pocket Lawyer for Filmmakers" has quickly become one of the best-selling legal guides for independent filmmakers. Now in its second edition, "The Pocket Lawyer for Filmmakers" is used as a textbook in film and law schools across the country, and graces the desks of indie filmmakers and studio executives alike. Backstage Magazine calls it "An [an] excellent, potentially career-saving resource." The book's hands-on, straightforward style demystifies the complex world of contracts and copyrights so critical to the business success of any independent film. Its revolutionary combination of graphics, cross-referencing, and step-by-step explanations have been praised by filmmakers for helping them find the information they need at a glance without having to read the book cover to cover"--

* How can you use a state's film tax credits to fund your film? SEE PAGE 63. * You have an idea you want to pitch to a production company; how do you safeguard your concept? SEE PAGE 77. * How can you fund your production with product placement? SEE PAGE 157. * How do you get a script to popular Hollywood actors and deal with their agents? SEE PAGE 222. Find quick answers to these and hundreds of other questions in this new edition of The Pocket Lawyer for Filmmakers. This no-nonsense reference provides fast answers in plain English-no law degree required! Arm yourself with the practical advice of author Thomas Crowell, a TV-producer-turned-entertainment-lawyer. This new edition features: * New sections on product placement, film tax credits and production incentive financing, Letters of Intent, and DIY distribution (four-walling, YouTube, Download-to-own, Amazon.com, iTunes, and Netflix) * Updated case law * Even more charts and graphics to help you find the information you need even more quickly. This book is the next best thing to having an entertainment attorney on retainer!

Focal Press' Pocket Lawyer series serves as a legal toolkit for independent producers and artists in the creative industries. The Pocket Lawyer for Comic Book Creators is designed to help emerging artists and veteran professionals in the comic book industry build a solid foundation of business and communication practices that they need to thrive in today's ever-changing, uncertain world of indie comics. Readers will learn to protect their copyrights, negotiate publishing deals, hire artists so everyone wins, and learn the ins and outs of key contracts with this helpful resource.

Since the creation of the comic book, cases of legal conflict and confusion have often arisen where concepts such as public domain, unincorporated entities and moral rights are involved. As a result, comics creators are frequently concerned about whether they are protecting themselves. There are many questions and no single place to find the answers--that is, until now. Entertaining as it instructs, this book seeks to provide those answers, examining the legal history of comics and presenting information in a way that is understandable to everyone. While not seeking to provide legal advice, this book presents the legal background in plain English, and looks at the stories behind the cases. Every lawsuit has a story and every case has lessons to be learned. As these lessons are explored, the reader will learn the importance of contracts, the basics of copyright and trademark, the precautions necessary when working with public domain characters and the effects of censorship.

Comics Startup 101 is a quick guide to some of the most important legal and business issues comic book creators should be aware of as they start their careers. The book tackles the use of contracts, contract negotiation, business formation, intellectual property, and other key issues.

"Since the publication of its first edition in 2007, "The Pocket Lawyer for Filmmakers" has quickly become one of the best-selling legal guides for independent filmmakers. Now in its second edition, "The Pocket Lawyer for Filmmakers" is used as a textbook in film and law schools across the country, and graces the desks of indie filmmakers and studio executives alike. Backstage Magazine calls it "An [an] excellent, potentially career-saving resource." The book's hands-on, straightforward style demystifies the complex world of contracts and copyrights so critical to the business success of any independent film. Its revolutionary combination of graphics, cross-referencing, and step-by-step explanations have been praised by filmmakers for helping them find the information they need at a glance without having to read the book cover to cover"--

A new generation of comic book writing talent gets its turn in the spotlight. This volume features interviews with scribes in the comic book business and offers insider insight into every aspect of the creative process behind comics writing.