The Biz: The Basic Business, Legal and Financial Aspects of the Film Industry [Paperback]

Schuyler M. Moore (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2000

Today's film industry is a legal and financial obstacle course that all independent filmmakers must learn to master. In view of this, The Biz--a highly accessible overview of the industry's important business, legal and financial aspect--is a must-read for all filmmakers. It includes thorough explanations and discussions of: Film-industry business jargon; Raising financing; Business structuring; Securities laws; Budgeting essentials; Dealing with the guilds; Loans; Completion guarantees; The legal and financial ramifications of distribution deals; Calculating net profits; Film-industry accounting practices and contingent payments; Copyright, publicity, and trademark laws; Screen credits; Talent demands; Litigation problems; Bankruptcy; Taxation of film companies; The Internet distribution of film . . . and much more. The Biz also includes a dozen useful sample forms and agreements.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Schuyler M. Moore, Esq., is a partner in the corporate entertainment department of the Los Angeles office of the national law firm Stroock & Stroock & Lavan, LLP. Mr. Moore has been practicing entertainment law since 1981, and he represents a broad spectrum of clients throughout the industry, including producers, sales agents, foreign distributors and financiers. He is the author of Taxation in the Entertainment Industry and an adjunct professor of entertainment law at UCLA Law School.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Silman-James Press; 1st edition (March 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1879505533
• ISBN-13: 978-1879505537
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 7.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #997,859 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #73 in Books > Law > Business > Entertainment

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Handbook for Entertainment Lawyers, March 14, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Biz: The Basic Business, Legal and Financial Aspects of the Film Industry (Paperback)

Mr. Moore teaches at UCLA, and his course is extraordinarily well attended. His book is considered a must-have for lawyers working in Entertainment, and although the focus is law, I think it would be a handy reference for anyone new to the creative side of Entertainment, especially those seeking to protect themselves and their interests when making deals and such.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Complete, informative, funny-- what more can you ask for?, April 13, 2003

By 

frumiousb "frumiousb" (Amsterdam, the Netherlands) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Biz: The Basic Business, Legal and Financial Aspects of the Film Industry (Paperback)

I was afraid when I picked up _The Biz_ that it was going to be a dry read-- legal aspects of any business are not known for being a scintillating read. However, I am happy to report that it was not only a quick and interesting read, it was a genuinely funny one. Moore had me laughing out loud on several occasions.

Even granted that this is not a book you read for the humor, it is refreshing to see a reference book so well written. My only quarrel was that I would have liked to see a bibliography included with the book in case I wanted to go in depth into any of the areas covered.

11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How hot is "the Biz?", February 4, 2001

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Biz: The Basic Business, Legal and Financial Aspects of the Film Industry (Paperback)

One thing about Professor Moore: the man rides motorcycles and has more energy than a 6-year old. He's not the average UCLA professor.

Thus, you should be aware that the book reflects it's writer's personality. The book is not only informative, but a pretty fun read as well. Friends from other law schools tell me how dry and dull their entertainment law texts are - a fact which absolutely boggles my mind. The Biz is concisely written, and filled with lively examples