Q: When a writer sells the rights to his script to a production company, I understand that the writer no longer has the right to option his script to other production companies, even if he receives a better offer. That being said, does the writer lose all creative control once he signs his name on [...]

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Q: About 20 years ago, a U.S. film production had done a location shoot in Japan, and I was one of the local hired crew. Since my position allowed me to shoot photographs on set, I also videotaped the production as well—creating sort of “behind the scenes” videos. The video was never intended for [...]

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Q: I have an issue with a large client that has never asked me to sign any agreement or contract. A little while back, they asked me for a year’s worth of B roll footage I shot for them. I eventually gave it to the client because I thought it was covered under the “work [...]

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Q: I recently read an article in my local paper about a man who has survived a number of natural catastrophes. I found his story fascinating and would like to make it into a film. To do this, would I have to acquire the rights to the article from the writer or acquire the individual’s [...]

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Q: In shooting promotional/marketing or educational/instructional videos, my clients often seem confused about who owns the raw footage and who owns the finished piece when the project is complete. My understanding is that the clients own the finished piece that I was contracted to produce, but I reserve the rights to the master, raw footage [...]

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