Rabu, 07 Februari 2018

Film And Television Script Clearance And Legal Issues

By Jeffrey Price


Whether writing a biography, book, screenplay or play, writers can often break copyright laws, many times without knowing. For, if there are businesses, characters, locations, scenes or subject matter which has been used in other productions, there can often be an issue. As a result, there are film and television script clearance companies which can help prevent these issues.

Whether working on a script or screenplay, the coordinator prepares the first draft, handling any clearance issues. When clearing a script, it needs to pass all copyright issues. As part of the process, the coordinator must work with legal staff to clear all characters, locations and subject matter whether by a physical review or software designed to catch these and other legal issues.

It is also the job of the coordinator to confirm there are no other legal issues with regards to the project. While there is often more than one pass necessary, the coordinator provides the first draft to producers and writers. After which, these individuals make notations which can improve the project, then return the script back to the coordinator. In the process, coordinator becomes a liaison between production staff and writers throughout the course of the project.

In addition to overseeing legal issues and copyright laws, the coordinator also provides assistance with editing. In most cases, this assistance includes assuring that formatting, spelling, grammar and punctuation are accurate and according to guidelines. Whereas, once the script has been released, the production team offers advice by making notations with regards to improving the project. After which, the complete and final script is provided to producers who then begin production on an episode or scene.

As the project moves from draft status into the final phase, there can often be several rounds of revisions. As this is the case, it is imperative that all those working on the script remain patient throughout the process. While most often producers have the final word with regards to content, there can be times when a member of the cast can add or make changes. When this is the case, it is important that another clearance take place.

When cast and crew are working on location, producers and writers often need also be on set. For, there can be times when revisions are necessary and need to be made as quickly as possible. In addition, it is important that when this is the case that actors follow suit. Otherwise, the change can often result in a delay with regards to a scene or episode.

When it comes to finalization, it is important that a final clearance be successful before moving on to production. For, a minor change can sometimes have major consequences. As such, it is imperative that this process be the last step before a project moves into production. After which, it can often be more costly and time consuming to rectify the situation if legal issues were overlooked until after the start of production.

Writers often have less knowledge in relation to character names, businesses, locations and subject matter of other projects than producers. As such, it is often up to these individuals to assure that a script is in compliance with copyright laws and legal issues. At the same time, it can often be crystal clear when a writer has committed libel with regards to a production based on real people. In either case, by allowing the legal team to have the final say, the responsibility for any of these issues moves into the hands of the legal team or studio rather than that of the writers or production team.




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