When you are pitching your project, do you own the necessary copyright to your property and what ownership can or should you retain? Negotiating acquisition of the rights to any entertainment property can be a multilayered process that involves ownership, credit and partnership issues. It's critical for producers to understand what the deal points mean and at what point they take effect.
Vance Van Petten, Executive Director of our Guild (and formerly in charge of Business and Legal Affairs for the TV departments of Universal, Fox and Paramount for several years) with John Huncke, Senior Vice President of Business Development and Advanced Platforms for Rainbow Media (parent company of AMC, IFC, Sundance Channel, WE TV, and IFC Films) and Jay Shanker, an entertainment attorney from McAfee & Taft, will discuss the rights acquisition process from a business perspective. Shanker will also have copies of his book, Entertainment Law & Business, available to sign.
This is an exclusive opportunity for PGA members to:
- Get important insight into the acquisition process
- Prevent undue exposure to their projects
- Get leverage when negotiating an option
The evening will cover standard acquisition clauses and procedures, and include a robust Q&A with a healthy dose of humor to keep all engaged.