Workshop on the work of the Legal Department

February 12 was held a workshop within Skill Bill Pro on the work of the Legal Department at the production companies and studios. There were several experts who gave comments in various areas of law: Yevgeniya Derbal, Counsel FILM.UA Group, who also moderated the workshop, Igor Bondarenko, head of legal department FILM.UA Group Production, Olga Koloyanidi, head legal department FILM.UA Group Postproduction, Anna Mironenko, head of legal department FILM.UA Distribution, and Kornienko Marina, Director of the Legal Department at STB.

Key points of the workshop:

• The work of the Legal Department should be focused on making the created content even better and more convenient for future use and monetization.
• A lawyer should be sufficiently involved in the production process, understand all the stages of production, be aware of all participants in the process and understand what rights are needed for transmission, how will be used the created content (show on TV, in cinemas, merchandising and so on).
• Lawyers should be aware of new technologies, as new ways to use the content allow you to create additional monetization.
• Lawyers keep an eye out for updates in legislation and share industry news, as well as create and subscribe to the special newsletter.
• The first rule of legal registration of the production: there must be a document for every person that takes part in film production.
• The producer must ensure a shooting permit as well as permission for the usage of audio and video materials that are used in the production of content. Otherwise litigation could lead to serious financial losses.
• There are three main forms of formalization of relations with the authors (director, cameraman, artist, writer, composer): an open-ended employment contract (this form of relationship is often not profitable for producers, but convenient to the authors), fixed-term employment contract (more convenient to the author than the producer), a labor contract (usually the most convenient for the producer).
• Relations with the script writer and composer can be executed by an ordering agreement, or contract of alienation of exclusive property rights. Agreement for the transfer of rights may be concluded only after the completion of the film, under the ordering agreement.
• The contract must include actor's responsibilities and possible sanctions for failure to comply with these obligations. Contract with the actor should include, in particular, the responsibility for such cases (a more complete list you can find in the presentation).
• Another important condition in the contract with the actor: his must not participate in other projects on a certain period, the participation of actors in a promotional campaign.
• In the case of attracting foreign actors is necessary to issue an identification code in Ukraine.
• For video and photo shoot on foreign territories one must have a written permission from the property owners (private property, metro, sensitive sites).
• The use of stock photos, video, 3D-models and music often significantly reduces costs. 
• Major music copyright holders always ask about the film budget. It's better to give a honest answer