This legalese-free guide provides filmmakers with essential advice on almost every conceivable rights issue that they might encounter -- from the initial acquisition of material through the situations encountered in pre-production, production, post-production and final release. Armed with this book, filmmakers can protect themselves and their work from disastrous legal actions and save thousands of dollars in legal fees. Includes: protecting ideas; acquiring rights to books, newspaper articles, life stories, songs, etc.; Optioning and purchasing scripts; work for hire; collaboration and partnership agreements; clearing film clips; clearing music; parody; right of privacy; title clearance; trademarks; registering copyright; copyright infringement; and much more. contains sample contracts and forms.