Film & TV

Overview

We advise on all the legal and related issues involved in the development, production and exploitation of feature films and television programmes, and the carriage of content through both traditional and newer methods of distribution.

We pride ourselves on always giving comprehensive, practical and relevant advice that is steeped in our knowledge of the industry and meets our clients’ commercial needs.

Many of our lawyers have in-house experience and really understand the pressure on production companies, producers, executives and in-house lawyers. Our clients range from individual producers and production companies to banks and other ﬁnanciers, distributors and exhibitors, broadcasters, and talent. We have experience in all genres, including drama, factual and animation, and we are happy working at all budget levels.

Expertise

Our areas of expertise include the following:

Drafting and advising on option agreements and development deals
Writers agreements
First look deals
Advising on structuring co-productions
Advising on international co-production treaties, including tax incentives, subsidies and grants
Shareholder agreements
Joint ventures and EIS
Equity finance and bank financing (both pre-sales and debt)
Drafting and negotiating all talent agreements, including director, producer, artist and composer agreements
Chain of title and E&O and clearance reports
Advising on sales agency agreements and distribution deals
Advising on all aspects of carriage and regulations, including Ofcom channel applications, VOD notifications, content and Ofcom codes
Carriage deals for cable, satellite, IPTV and mobile