Synopsis
Know what you’re saying YES to. Have you ever produced a project from script to screen, and been shut out of the pilot-to-series or short-to-feature deal? Have you ever been stuck in court trying to get your rights back from a bankrupt distributor? Have you ever dealt with talent who won't come on board without an MFN clause? This book is for you! How Not To Sign A Film Contract provides an overview of many legal issues that independent filmmakers encounter from script to screen. Like any good producer, Roberta takes your hand and walks you step by step through the contracts you need for your film, from your most important contract – the one with yourself – to the ones you’ll create with line producers, crew, talent, and distributors. Featuring interviews and advice from some of indie film’s most successful and influential directors, producers, attorneys, television executives, and distribution experts. “Probably the best thing that a contract can accomplish for you is making everybody feel respected and protected, because a good contract can help foster trust. That’s the best thing that you can aim for, that I aim for now, and it took me 20 years to figure that out – but this book lays it out for you in an afternoon.” -Effie T. Brown, Producer, Project Greenlight “Too often distributors and filmmakers aren't speaking the same language, and thus filmmakers don't have a clear understanding of all that's possible (or not) for our films. After working so hard to make our films, getting them to audiences is the vital next step, so these kinds of tips are invaluable!” -Ondi Timoner, Director, Producer, and two-time Grand Jury Prize winner at Sundance “This is a relationship-based business, and How NOT to Sign a Film Contract always keeps that at the heart of the message.” -Matthew Lessall, Casting Director at Lessall Casting, current Co-President of the Casting Society of America “How NOT to Sign a Film Contract teaches you to prepare for success and brace for the worst-case scenario. Both are invaluable, because you’re not looking for a fight. You’re looking for everyone to be happy through contractual negotiations.” -P. David Ebersole, Writer/Director and Producer
About the Author
Roberta Marie Munroe PRODUCER / AUTHOR / DIRECTOR / CONSULTANT Ms. Munroe is currently writing, directing, and producing a documentary series with her producing partner Lauren Waring Douglas called Charleston 2016, as well the pilot The Day My Boobs Left with writer/director Michele Martinelli. Roberta has produced over 30 short films, and 3 features. Ms. Munroe is the author of How Not To Make A Short Film: Secrets From A Sundance Programmer, (Hyperion 2009). The 2nd Edition Audiobook, read by the author, was published by Hachette Books -January 2015. The book has been translated to Chinese (2015 Big Apple Publishing, Beijing) and Korean (Communications Books, Seoul 2013), and its translation and publication in Spanish is in negotiation. Roberta is currently finishing on her second book, How Not To Sign A Film Contract, that will provide filmmakers with an overview of film industry contractual law with a publish date of September 2016. As a director, Roberta recently completed The Sibling Code (Oxford FF, Blackstar FF, Nantucket FF, Sidewalk FF 2016) and wrote and directed the award-winning short film Dani & Alice, a 35mm film project of the Fox Searchlight Director's Lab, that went on to win several Best Short awards worldwide. Her comedy Happy Birthday also won several Best Short Awards and both films were distributed by Wolfe Releasing via DVD and Netflix. She wrote, directed and produced two shorts commissioned by the UNFPA (United Nations), Maja and Family Prayers with a specific focus on children, women, and reproductive rights in Egypt and Eastern Europe. As a film festival consultant & programmer, Roberta has programmed film at IFP New York (No Borders co-production market section), Tampa LGBT FF, and spent 5 years programming at the Sundance Film Festival. She was the Sales & Industry Theatre Manager at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), and Managing Director of the Niagara International Film Festival (NIFF - Niagara on the Lake). Roberta is highly respected and beloved by filmmakers all over the world as a true champion of artists. You can often find Roberta hanging in Palm Springs or Los Angeles, California, sipping an ice-cold martini, with her two rescue dogs Marcello & Rita.
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