Stories By Gregory R. Kanaan
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Cinema Law
Do You Need Life Rights or Adaptation Rights to Write a Fact-Based Screenplay?
March 23, 2020Since we’re all inside working on screenplays (right?), we’re re-sharing this 2015 MovieMaker posts on one...
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Cinema Law
Cinema Law: Enforcing Your Rights (When They Haven’t Been Paid For)
November 6, 2017Q: I did CGI work for a film and our contract states that they don’t acquire...
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Cinema Law
Cinema Law: Can I Fictionalize A Reality TV Idea Without Infringing Its Copyright?
September 19, 2017Q: I wrote a novel about a fictional reality TV dating show that bears similarities to...
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Cinema Law
Cinema Law: What Are Your Options When You’re Fired From A Job Before It Even Begins?
August 2, 2017Q: I was booked as a makeup artist on a production for the month of August....
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Cinema Law
Cinema Law: Does Your School Own Your Student Film?
July 25, 2017When I was in film school many years ago, a rumor developed that the school owned...
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Cinema Law
Cinema Law: Should I Write a Season of TV For a Producer Without Upfront Compensation?
May 8, 2017Q: A producer recently approached me with a finished pilot script and asked me to write...
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Cinema Law
Cinema Law: What to Put in A Life Rights Contract
April 6, 2017Q: I’m friends with a semi-famous musician and she’s helping me writing a biopic about her...
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Cinema Law
Cinema Law: What You Should Know About Using Other Peoples’ Quotes in Your Film
March 3, 2017Q: I’m making a film and I’d like to use a quote from a famous person...
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Cinema Law
Cinema Law: Getting the (Screenwriting) Credit You Deserve, For WGA Members and Non-Members Alike
February 9, 2017Q: Is there some way to ensure that I receive a “written by” or “screenplay by”...
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MM Guide 2017
More Than You Bargain For: Negotiating With Talent 101
December 1, 2016I used to be terrified of negotiating—my instinct was to immediately acquiesce and avoid the hassle....
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Cinema Law
Cinema Law: What Are Your Rights When Filming a Criminal?
October 31, 2016Q: As a producer, what are my rights when filming a documentary subject as he confronts...
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Cinema Law
Cinema Law: What You Should Know When Working with Someone Else’s Characters
October 4, 2016Q: Who owns the copyright to a script when it’s based off someone else’s originally created...
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Cinema Law
When Fair is Foul: Why Fair Use Isn’t an Impenetrable Defense for Indie Films
September 29, 2016This situation is probably familiar to you: You don’t own it and you need to use...
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Cinema Law
Cinema Law: Trust is Earned Over Time — So Always Get the Contract
September 15, 2016Q: I wrote a screenplay and got a producer interested. He said he could generate interest...
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Cinema Law
Paper Trail, No Fail: How to Stay Out of Legal Trouble? Document Everything
August 23, 2016Also known as “Contracts or it didn’t happen,” this practice might help you get out of...
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Cinema Law
Cinema Law: Do I Need Life Rights for a Scripted Film if I Have Them for a Documentary?
August 17, 2016Q: I am writing a film based on a documentary I wrote, produced and directed in...
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Cinema Law
Cinema Law: Does an International Copyright Protect My Film in Foreign Countries?
July 27, 2016Q: I’m a foreign national and I would like to send my film to festivals inside...
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Cinema Law
Cinema Law: The Problem of Joint Ownership on a Film
June 28, 2016Q: Our short film is now in post and we plan to submit it to festivals....
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Cinema Law
Cinema Law: Yes, Trademark Fair Use Exists!
May 18, 2016Q: I’m writing a pilot for a TV workplace comedy and my characters work for a...
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Cinema Law
Cinema Law: Clearing Copyrighted Material Before Submitting Your Film to Festivals
April 18, 2016Q: I’m an amateur filmmaker who recently made a film that uses the Gary Jules cover...
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Cinema Law
Cinema Law: What Does “Work For Hire” Mean for Moviemakers?
March 2, 2016Q: I was hired to work on a film as a DP and the contract stated...
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Cinema Law
Cinema Law: Is Working For Exposure Ever Worth It?
January 14, 2016Q: I was just asked by a producer to work for free on an indie film,...
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Cinema Law
Cinema Law: What are the Rights of a Documentary Subject?
November 28, 2015Q: What rights does the subject of a documentary film have if the film falls apart?...
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Cinema Law
Cinema Law: Who Owns a TV Show?
October 7, 2015Q: Last year, I joined a small team as an actor producing a not-very-good TV show....
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