Producing a documentary - legal and financial support

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Legal and financial help in producing a documentary

Here at Cohen Davis Solicitors, we understand that bringing a documentary film to audiences is an intricate process that involves navigating a complex web of legal issues.

From copyright clearances to distribution deals, our experienced team is here to handle every aspect of legal work so you can focus on the creative side of production. Whether you're in the early development stages or ready to launch your film worldwide, our experts have the skills to move your project forward. Here is a taste of the unique services we offer to documenary makers.

Table of Content

Copyright review and image licensing

Model contracts and negotiations for documentary producers

Client negotiation with all major streaming platforms

Distribution and streaming deals for your documentary

Insurance placement for your documentary

Financing structuring for your documentary

Cohen Davis Solicitors: a one-stop legal shop for documentary film makers

Copyright review and image licensing

As documentaries often incorporate a variety of visual materials like photographs, video clips and archival footage, obtaining proper copyright clearances is crucial. Our team of intellectual property lawyers will conduct an exhaustive review of your documentary's content to identify any copyrighted works.

We'll determine if you need to licence the material, if fair use allows inclusion, or if the copyright has expired. For any items that require permission, we'll launch a campaign to contact the rights holders. This includes photographers, stock footage companies, archives and private individuals.

Leveraging our extensive industry relationships, we can often expedite the process of securing licences. We'll negotiate fees and terms on your behalf that fit within your production budget. All agreements will be drafted by our solicitors for your protection.

In addition to images, we also handle clearances for any music, quotes or other creative works. By the end of our review, you'll have full confidence your documentary is legally compliant before entering production or distribution. Our services provide peace of mind that your creative vision can be realised without copyright restrictions.

Model contracts and negotiations for documentary producers

Our library of model contracts covers the various agreements producers will encounter, from contributor releases to distribution pacts. These templates address key provisions while allowing flexibility. For releases, we include options for filmed interviews, archival submissions, and more. Distribution contracts cover common structures like flat fees, minimum guarantees, and revenue sharing.

While the model contracts provide a strong starting point, every project has unique aspects requiring custom negotiations. Our solicitors are experienced in gaining favourable terms for film makers. We holistically assess your needs, leverage industry relationships, and deploy strategic negotiation techniques. For each deal, we focus on optimising budget, rights retention, marketing support, and profit participation. By thoroughly preparing with our model contracts, we enter discussions empowered to properly position your film and drive the strongest possible bargain. The end result maximises benefits while mitigating risk for you.

Client negotiation with all major streaming platforms

Our solicitors understand the unique challenges of independent film making. From the initial consultation through distribution, clients have direct access to their point of contact to discuss any legal issues or questions as they arise.

We proactively identify potential problems in deals and advise clients of additional protections or terms that could strengthen their position. By comprehensively addressing concerns, we help avoid disputes down the road. When negotiations require an in-person presence, our solicitors will attend meetings to directly represent the film maker.

We leverage our negotiation experience to confidently advocate for clients' interests and priorities. As subject matter experts, we also address technical or specialised legal enquiries that come up.

This personalised attention means clients never have to navigate complex issues alone or second guess whether their position is properly conveyed. Even after principal contracts are finalised, our clients continue to benefit from counsel on related matters that emerge over the lifetime of their projects. This ensures long-term protection as their films are distributed and exploited worldwide.

Distribution and streaming deals for your documentary 

Getting your documentary in front of audiences is crucial to recouping your investment. Our team leverages long-standing relationships within the industry to broker strategic distribution agreements. Whether you're targeting a theatrical run, television licences or digital platforms, we have contacts at every major outlet. For theatrical, we can set up test screenings and pitch your film to acquisition executives.

On the television front, we'll approach broadcasters and cable channels. When it comes to digital distribution, our expertise in media law allows us to negotiate optimal terms with global streaming giants. This includes securing licencing arrangements with Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and other digital services.

We'll advise on the best outlets that align with your film's subject matter and target demographics. From there, our solicitors use careful negotiations to obtain the most favourable financial terms, marketing support, and profit-sharing structures for you.

Streaming Platforms

For those seeking the widest possible audience, we leverage our extensive relationships within the digital streaming space. This includes direct contacts at senior executive levels at Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Apple TV+, and more.

We understand the unique algorithms and programming needs of each service to recommend where your film is best suited. Our solicitors then enter exclusive negotiations to secure the most favourable licencing fees, marketing support, and profit-sharing structures tailored to your budget and goals.

Television Placements

For broadcast and cable, our team queries programming executives to identify suitable outlets. This may involve public television slots, premium channels, or targeted genre networks. We facilitate test screenings and pitch sessions to build interest.

Once a broadcaster is set, we handle contract negotiations to maximise licencing payments and ensure proper attribution and promotion. Syndication rights are also addressed to extend revenues beyond the initial window.

Specialty and International Distributors

For specialised releases, we contact boutique distributors with experience in your film's subject matter. Our global network further aids sale to international territories for worldwide exposure. By leveraging our extensive industry relationships and negotiation expertise, Cohen Davis Solicitors delivers unparalleled distribution deal facilitation services to place your documentary in front of massive audiences worldwide.

By bringing your project to our network of industry insiders, we expedite the process of placing your documentary in front of massive audiences. It's our goal to maximise revenues from distribution to reward you for your creative efforts.

Targeted Marketing

Our team can advise on targeted marketing strategies to boost sales. This includes recommendations for film festival strategy, social media promotion, press outreach, and more. For streaming, we provide analytics on how similar titles were marketed to increase viewership. On television, we identify how commercials and programming slots can maximise ratings.

Financing Participation

For films requiring ongoing promotion, we structure distribution agreements to include marketing minimums. This guarantees a proper budget for advertising your film. All distribution contracts address ancillary streams like DVD/Blu-ray, airline and hotel licencing, and non-theatrical screenings.

International pacts cover merchandising in foreign territories too. By anticipating every potential revenue source, we maximise your documentary's monetisation for years after the initial release window. Proper contracts and accounting oversight ensure all monies are properly paid and reported.

Our expertise in media law, financing, and the evolving distribution landscape empowers film makers to profit from their creative and impactful non-fiction storytelling. Cohen Davis Solicitors is fully dedicated to guiding documentaries to their widest possible audiences. Based on our expertise handling hundreds of media law cases, we provide strategic recommendations and safeguards to minimise liability exposure for producers.

Insurance placement for your documentary

We conduct a thorough legal and financial audit of each project to identify potential risks. This includes reviewing content, proposed shoots/locations, participants, and distribution plans. Leveraging long-standing relationships with specialist media insurers, we obtain policies tailored for documentaries. This includes errors and omissions, general liability, equipment floater, and other coverage.

We ensure proper limits and endorsements addressing clients' specific needs. Policies protect film makers from unforeseen legal claims that could otherwise jeopardise their business for years. In the event of disputes, our solicitors are equipped to defend clients as part of the insurance arrangement. By proactively managing risk, we help avoid conflicts while providing peace of mind should any issues arise.

Errors & Omissions

We secure E&O policies which cover damages from claims of defamation, copyright infringement, or negligent misrepresentation arising from a film's content or production.

General Liability

This protects against bodily injury or property damage claims from crew, locations, or members of the public during filming. Higher liability limits may be needed for complex shoots.

Equipment Insurance

We place floater policies insuring cameras, lenses, lighting and other valuable production gear against theft or damage both on location and in transit.

Completion Bonds

For films requiring financing, we can arrange bonding which guarantees a project will be finished in the event of unforeseen circumstances like an actor's injury halting production. - Cast Insurance: Coverage is available if needed to protect against financial losses from death, injury or illness preventing key cast members from filming their roles.

Admitted vs. Non-Admitted

We carefully evaluate the best options, whether from large admitted carriers or specialised niche insurers, to provide optimal protection at competitive rates.

Financing structuring for your documentary

For films requiring ongoing promotion or P&A budgets, we work with producers to identify suitable financing options. This may involve pre-sales, equity investment, or distribution advances that guarantee marketing support. We have relationships with funds, banks, and individual investors open to financing documentaries.

Our expertise assists in determining the optimal capital structure and terms to fulfil a project's financial needs. When financing is secured, we negotiate participation agreements entitling investors to a share of revenues.

This includes box office grosses, streaming fees, television licences, and other distribution income over time. The specific terms are tailored to appropriately reward financiers while still providing producers an incentive and meaningful upside. Proper accounting procedures ensure accurate reporting and payment of participation statements. For clients with ongoing film slates, we can establish portfolio financing structures. This aggregates participation across a body of work for efficiency and higher deal values from financial backers.

Cohen Davis Solicitors: a one-stop legal shop for documentary film makers

Bringing a documentary film to audiences involves navigating a maze of legal issues. Cohen Davis Solicitors aims to simplify this process by offering a full suite of services tailored specifically for non-fiction producers. Areas of support include copyright clearance and image licencing, model production contracts, distribution deal facilitation, risk management and insurance placement, and ongoing client representation.

Leveraging decades of experience in media law and close industry relationships, the firm guides clients from development through distribution. Senior solicitors directly advocate on behalf of film makers to protect their interests.

Whether pursuing global streaming releases or targeted television placements, Cohen Davis Solicitors deploys strategic expertise to maximise any documentary's monetisation potential and reward creative vision. By acting as a one-stop legal shop, the firm's goal is to empower non-fiction storytellers so they may focus energies on their impactful projects, assured of full protection and profit participation.

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