Protecting Intellectual and Creative Capital in the Digital Media Industries Short Courses
This digital media course provides a working knowledge of the legal components vital to independent producers, directors and those interested in the production of feature-length films and television programmes. Students examine the key stages of pre-production, finance and production, rights and content clearance, distribution and exploitation. The onus will be on rights ownership and transfer, discussing contractual theory and negotiation of rights within the digital media industry.
Course Information
Dates and Fees to be confirmed
Tutor Info
Rebecca Knapp is an award-winning producer, who has worked in production for over ten years. She has Associate Produced the BAFTA nominated Urban Black Gangster movie Rollin' with the Nines and produced the teen comedy Popcorn, backed by Screen East and the UK Film Council's Lottery Fund. She was integral to launching and Director of Programming/Business Affairs for Rapture Television plc, a UK-based youth entertainment satellite channel, for two years. She was also Head of Production/Business Affairs for Bigger Pictures and a Producer/Business Affairs for Framework Entertainment. More recently Rebecca has run the UK film distribution companies Spark Pictures and Route One Releasing, which has just released the feature film Clubbed. Rebecca has an Honours Law degree from the University of Edinburgh, where she specialised in Media Law and Intellectual Property.
Eligibility
You must have some experience of the film and television industries or have completed a relevant course or have legal knowledge in another sector.
English Requirements
Applicants of this digital media course must be proficient in written and spoken English.
What will I learn?
You will be able to identify the key contractual principles that result in an enforceable and binding contract; understand the importance of rights clearance in the key stages of film and television production and have a basic understanding of the operation of legal agreements governing film and television financing.
Teaching and Assessment
Informal assessment will take place through group discussion, class room activities, and questions and answers sessions as guided by your tutor.Recommended Reading
While we encourage you to read the books on the reading list for your course, we recommend that you speak to the tutor before investing in the purchase of any essential text.
Alberstat, P. (2002) Independent Producers' Guide to Film and TV Contracts, London. Focal Press
Carey, P. (1998) Media Law, Sweet and Maxwell
Jolliffe, G. Jones, C. ( 1998) The Guerilla Film Maker's Handbook. Focal Press
Jeffrey, T. (1995) Film Business: A Handbook for Producers. Allen & Unwin
Miller, P. (1998 & 2003) Media Law for Producers. Focal Press
Viljoen, D. (2002) Art of the Deal 3rd Edition. Pact (Producers alliance for cinema and television)