255.1 sec. 001 - Negotiating Hollywood Contracts (Fall 2024)
Instructor: Linda B Lichter (view instructor's teaching evaluations - degree students only)
View all teaching evaluations for this course - degree students only
Units: 1
Grading Designation: Credit Only
Mode of Instruction: In-Person
Meetings:
Th 6:25 PM - 9:05 PM
Location: Law 140
On 2024-09-26
F 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location: Law 140
On 2024-09-27
Sa 1:30 PM - 4:10 PM
Location: Law 140
On 2024-09-28
Sa 09:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location: Law 140
On 2024-09-28
F 3:10 PM - 6:10 PM
Location: Law 140
On 2024-09-27
Course End: September 28, 2024
Class Number: 32049
Enrollment info:
Enrolled: 19
Waitlisted: 6
Enroll Limit: 32
As of: 05/04 09:30 AM
This course is an introduction to basic and more sophisticated legal and business issues arising in agreements for sales of intellectual property and services of talent in the theatrical and streaming entertainment business. We will discuss agreements for the option and purchase book/remake rights or other intellectual property; services agreements for producers, writers and directors; with equity investors who provide funding for "independent films;” and with studios and streaming companies. Along with the instructor, guests will attend the class who are top practitioners, and we will discuss issues that may arise in these contract negotiations, and the subtle dance between the talent lawyer and the lawyers for the studio/financier/distributor. We will also explore the cataclysmic changes happening in the entertainment business and in the media, and the lawyer’s role in mediating and responding to those changes.
I am a proud graduate of UC Berkeley and its law school. I have worked in private practice doing transactional entertainment work for more than 40 years, primarily representing individual writers, producers, directors, and actors, negotiating their deals for rights and services, as well as providing general advice and counsel. I’ve also sold books, screenplays and films. I was very involved at the inception of the American independent film movement. My clients contributed to such films as Little Miss Sunshine, Ghostworld, Juno, Gladiator, RoboCop, Point Break, Billy Madison, Paranormal Activity, Nomadland, and A Man Called Otto, to name just a few. I am married to a reformed film and tv director and have 3 children and 3 grandchildren.
We also have special academic rules for these condensed courses:
-Students must attend each course session and cannot attend any course session remotely (even for illness or emergency situations).
-The Registrar’s Office will drop a student who does not attend each course session.
Due to the condensed nature of this course, in-person attendance at all course sessions is mandatory. Absences cannot be excused for any reason, including illness or emergencies. The Registrar’s Office will drop any student who misses a session.
Attendance at the first class is mandatory for all currently enrolled and waitlisted students; any currently enrolled or waitlisted students who are not present on the first day of class (without prior permission of the instructor) will be dropped. The instructor will continue to take attendance throughout the add/drop period and anyone who moves off the waitlist into the class must continue to attend or have prior permission of the instructor in order not to be dropped.
Prerequisites:
Contracts required. Corporations and intellectual property are recommended, but not required.
Exam Notes: (TH) Take-home examination
Exam Length: 4 hours
Course Category: Business Law
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Readers:
No reader.
Books:
Instructor has indicated that no books will be assigned.