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

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.

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.