Services

- e.g.:   deal wins for novelists, screenwriters, podcast writers, directors, actors, & producers receiving poor, unfair, or aver-reaching offers from production companies

- e.g.:  Build confidence in knowing whether your deal is fair.  Have the peace of mind that it reflects & respects what you've verbally agreed, & that it stops there.  That it looks after your underlying interests, not just your working relationship, are protected.  Take control, by knowing the consequences & the 'what ifs'.  Make sense of the obligations, mitigate your risks and liabilities.   Think.  Wel.  Done!   

- e.g.: 

option & purchase agreements;  

production services agreements; 

producer/director/writer/crew engagements; 

distribution agreements; 

co-development agreements; 

performer agreements;  

location releases;  

agency terms of service; 

& more!

-  e.g. ensuring new ventures have foresight into the downstream project phases & risks (e.g. financing & distribution), and the associated contractual frameworks / expectations (e.g. ensuring chain of title, protecting project deliverables, takeover).   

-  e.g. protecting your relationships, by ensuring your shared ventures, collaborations, & co-developments have clearly defined roles / rewards / responsibilities / powers / dispute procedures 

- e.g. protecting your I.P. from the 'what ifs'

-  e.g.: 

ring-fencing reserved rights;  

defining reversionary events;   

redemption terms for mixed-ownership works;  

inserting rights of consultation or first refusal; 

prescribing acceptable usage terms; 

AI safeguard clauses; 

assignment safeguards; 

and so forth

-  e.g.: converting broken deals into new ventures that preserve the relationship;  

- e.g.: finding mutual gains & common interests beyond financial bottom lines

 -  e.g. 

• production risks:    copyright  & chain of title   /   funding   /   confidentiality   /  contracting risks

• rights planning & management:  assignment  /  reservations  /  reversion   /  exploitation   /   distribution 

• corporate governance & structure:  director duties  / shareholder relationships  /  customisations to fit your relationship functions & responsibilities   /   constitution

• liability (personal & corporate):   contract & statutory liability

• compliance, regulatory, & risk management:  SIWA   /   Health & Safety  /   Consents/Releases/Waivers   /   Council Permits

• contract management:   negotiation  /   execution   /   legality & enforceability  /  education   /   cancellation & termination

• third-party risks:  defamation  /  fair trading  /  privacy  /  I.P.

• industry & professional standards:   Blue Book  /   model contracts   /   engaging with industry Guilds & Unions  

etc

- Copyright Act 1994  - who owns what and when?  What can / can't you do without a licence. 

-  Screen Industry Workers Act 2022 - engagement procedures and what they mean for you ; 9-New Rules that apply to your contracts ; know your engager's obligations and what you can do about it.   

- Health & Safety Act 2015 - understand your obligations, whether you're a worker, engager, or PCBU

- Human Rights Act 1993 - bullying, discrimination, and harassment.  It's not OK.  Read our guide to undertand your obligations, and how you can get help.  Or contact us for help. 

- Privacy Act 2020

- Fair Trading

- Tax! (for sole-traders and companies)

- ACC for sole traders! (for sole-traders and companies)

-  e.g.: Sector Policy Building:  developing, auditing & redrafting model policies for the Screen Sector, e.g. best practice workplace conditions; workplace behaviours (bullying, harassment, discrimination); 

-  e.g.: Internal Policy Review: auditing & redeveloping internal policies (e.g. complaints procedures, creative disputes, coporate governance, privacy & confidentiality, managing conflicts, relationship exits, shareholder relationships, transactions, health & safety) 

- e.g.: Procedure improvement: developing, reviewing, & improving internal procedures (e.g. ensuring natural justice, fairness, & efficiency; protecting privacy & confidentiality; mitigating risk & managing liability etc)

 -  e.g.: auditing & investigating internal procedures & historical events, 

 - e.g.: process management with natural justice processes 

 -  e.g.: fact-finding & recommendations 

- developing educational resources & toolkits for SME screen businesses (legal rights & responsibilities, corporate structure, contracts & deal making, business planning & toolkit, negotiation technique etc)

- 'business 101' - tips & tools for running your creative business

- tax & ACC - what you need to know

- script review - liability reviews or editorial reviews