Contracts for the Film & Television Industry [Paperback]

Mark Litwak (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 1999

This is an invaluable collection of sample entertainment contracts along with discussions of the concepts and terms contained therein. Completely revised and greatly expanded - including 20 new contracts - the second edition of this popular and essential handbook is the ultimate entertainment-law source of independent film makers, who, armed with this book can save themselves thousands in legal fees. It contains 62 contracts covering: depiction and copyright release; literary submission and sale; artist employment; collaboration; music; financing; production; distribution; and, merchandising and retainers.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Mark Litwak

Product Details

• Paperback: 456 pages
• Publisher: Silman-James Pr; 2nd Expanded edition (February 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1879505460
• ISBN-13: 978-1879505469
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #54,043 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #5 in Books > Law > Business > Entertainment
  • #13 in Books > Arts & Photography > Performing Arts > Reference
  • #20 in Books > Business & Investing > Industries & Professions > Performing Arts

More About the Author

Mark Litwak is the author of six books and numerous articles. He is an entertainment attorney based in Beverly Hills, California, an arbitrator and an expert witness. He is the creator of the popular CD-ROM program Movie Magic Contracts.

A frequent speaker, he has presented seminars across the United States, and in England, Australia, South Africa and Canada including presentations for the American Film Institute, Columbia University, N.Y.U, U.S.C, the University of British Columbia and the Royal College of Art in London.

Litwak has been a lawyer for 33 years. He has an AV Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell and has been named a Southern California Super Lawyer by Law & Politics magazine.

He is the creator of Entertainment Law Resources, at www.marklitwak.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is the best book on contracts for film/TV, December 22, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Contracts for the Film and Television Industry (Paperback)

Mark Litwak's book is by far the best book available on film and television contracts. His book is a no nonsense, thorough guide to the complex world of contractual law for an industry that has a history of taking advantage of those who don't take the time or spend the money to hire good legal representation. He is an advocate for the rights of artists, writers, actors, etc., and his contracts are a good basis for negotiations and deals in the TV/Film industry. Even if you hire your own attorney, this book will help you understand the structure of your deal and alert you to details and potential booby traps in all that fine print. D. Kuspa

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fine and thorough book, July 10, 2001

By 

L. S. Slaughter "silvanus" (Chapel Hill, NC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Contracts for the Film & Television Industry (Paperback)

Litwak provides about as much as a professional could share in this throrough outing. He also shares 'boilerplate' contracts for virtally all key players in a film production. Of course, direct experience is the best teacher, but EVERY neophyte in film or television must own this book, and its a handy reference for seasoned professionals and part-timers.

Also check out his companion book, "Dealmaking..." which has priceless cues on what gray areas to avoid in negotiating with lawyers and their clients.

Essential for producers, directors, writers and anyone hoping to get financed or paid or both!

11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Decent book - no CD, January 3, 2007

By 

HeeBee Jack (Redondo Beach, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Contracts for the Film & Television Industry (Paperback)

This book is a good collection of legal contracts for the industry, but it doesn't have a CD-ROM or associated website where you can download the contracts as a starting-point template.

I believe the author is gouging us by forcing us to buy the CD separately. Very cheesy business practice. I hope you have OCR software to scan these pages into your computer.