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The Screenwriter's Legal Guide (3rd Edition) » (REV)

Book cover image of The Screenwriter's Legal Guide (3rd Edition) by Stephen Breimer

Authors: Stephen Breimer
ISBN-13: 9781581153521, ISBN-10: 158115352X
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Allworth Press
Date Published: August 2008
Edition: REV

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Author Biography: Stephen Breimer

Stephen F. Breimer, Esquire, is a partner of Bloom, Dekom, Hergott & Cook, one of Los Angeles' most prestigious entertainment law firms. He lives in Los Angeles.

Book Synopsis

This authoritative guide will help both fledgling and established writers to negotiate the best deal, protect their work, and get fair compensation for it. One of the most powerful entertainment lawyers in Hollywood provides easy-to-understand, expert advice on all the legal issues involved in the business of screenwriting. He gives an enlightening explanation of the screenwriter's position in the industry and then provides a thorough discussion of contracts, options, and working with agents and lawyers. This book shows screenwriters what to give up as a lost cause and what to hold out for.

• Includes current Writer's Guild minimums and recent legal development

• "A book that should be in every screenwriter's library."—Syd Field, author of Selling a Screenplay

• This replaces 1-58115-021-0

Table of Contents

Ch. 1The screenwriter holds a unique position in Hollywood1
Ch. 2Contracts : a brief overview7
Ch. 3Option/purchase agreements : negotiating the price11
Ch. 4Option/purchase agreements : negotiable rights21
Ch. 5Option/purchase agreements : fixed compensation49
Ch. 6Option/purchase agreements : contingent compensation55
Ch. 7Option/purchase agreements : sequels, rewrites, and reversions77
Ch. 8Option/purchase agreements : other provisions to watch out for95
Ch. 9Commissioned screenplays109
Ch. 10Commissioned teleplays : the television marketplace127
Ch. 11Protecting your money139
Ch. 12Copyright, ideas, and titles155
Ch. 13Works based on source material175
Ch. 14Collaboration agreements197
Ch. 15The Writers Guild215
Ch. 16The role of the producer289
Ch. 17The art of negotiation297
App. ASample option/purchase agreement305

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