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I currently work in-house at a studio on the TV side. My day-to-day is filled with a lot of development deals & some production legal matters. It’s very fast paced but manageable. I would recommend “The Business of Television” by Ken Basin as a good guide to understanding the types of deals that you’ll come
across and likely negotiate in this space. Otherwise, a lot will come from being on the job.
The book is great at setting the foundation of each deal and when they come into play. It also explains a lot of the industry lingo, custom and practice. I took my job without any basic knowledge of the tv industry before this and I keep it handy as I navigate my deals. Of course, I also check in with my colleagues for advice as well. But even with the way that things have changed/continue to change, I’ve found that the deals still have certain unique provisions in each that are standard for the particular deal (e.g., services, guild-specific clauses, etc.). It’s also an easy read.
Do you mean at a firm representing these studios or directly in house? At a firm, work can include production counsel, like reviewing both development material and produced content to issue-spot (for example, the need to license IP, get waivers signed, secure a location agreement…). Also includes transactional work, like drafting and negotiating contracts with vendors, employees, or talent. There’s also the guild and union side, where the studios need to negotiate on collective bargaining agreements. And of course, the litigation side which can include cases from IP infringement to breach of contract.
Super helpful, thank you!
I feel like this was lifted right from my brain - following!
Following!
What sort of work do you do currently?
Thank you so much for this! I’ll start beefing up my IP and other clearance knowledge.