Legal and business affairs essentials for production managers and production coordinators in scripted high-end TV and film

Navigating the legal and commercial complexities of production can be a minefield for a production manager or production coordinator. If you work in scripted high-end TV and film, and find the logistics and technicalities daunting, then this training is for you. 

Over four digestible online sessions, you’ll be taken step-by-step through the key elements of your legal and business affairs responsibilities - from contracts to clearances, rights to insurance, compliance to crew visas and more – and how to tackle them with confidence. 

Taught by acclaimed, active legal experts, heads of production and line producers – whose credits include Happy Valley, SAS Rogue Heroes, Derry Girls, Back to Life, I Daniel Blake, My Son, Rivals - delegates will emerge with a solid understanding of the key considerations, questions to ask, possible pitfalls to be aware of, and potential solutions. 

This training is supported by the ScreenSkills High-end TV Skills Fund with contributions from UK high-end TV productions and by the ScreenSkills Film Skills Fund with contributions from UK film productions. It will be delivered by DV Talent 

Who it's for

This training is for production managers and production coordinators working in scripted high-end TV and film.

If you are a producer or line producer working in high-end TV and film, click here to apply for the relevant course.

You will need to have at least 2-3 years’ relevant scripted industry experience. 

This is a nationwide programme, delivered online, so we welcome applications from across the UK. 

We always welcome applications from under-represented groups, including, but not limited to: those from minority ethnic backgrounds; people with a disability; people from the LGBTQ+ community and those from lower socio-economic backgrounds.

We offer inclusive training. If you have any needs which we can accommodate during the recruitment process and beyond, or would like support completing the booking form and/or would like us to send it to you in an alternative format, please email: training@dvtalent.co.uk 

What it covers

The main course content will consist of 4 x 2-hour online sessions plus additional masterclasses.

Module 1 – Overview & Planning   

• Roles & responsibilities when it comes to legal & BA including with the producer and Line Producer 
• Working with the legal and business affairs team
• Legal framework & considerations across production phases
• Duty of Care considerations
• Planning & pre-production meetings i.e. delivery dates & other key stakeholders
• Working with (or without) a script – reads & breakdown
• Understanding chain of title and rights acquisition 
• Common legal documents overview / glossary of common terms  

Module  2 - Contracts & Agreements 

• Agreements in general – location, production office rental
• Understanding of commissioner and writer’s agreements 
• Contracts (crew, director, supplier)
• Working with agents and their legal departments
• Cast contracts (PACT Equity Agreements and CANS)
• Visas 
• Effective contract administration
• Working in a Liaison role (with legal, production and finance departments etc
• Legal implications of deliveries (i.e. distributors and broadcasters)
• Child protection legislation and broadcaster rules

Module 3 – Compliance & Risk Management  

• Film vs TV compliance & and regulations
• Transference to TV
• Streamer legal and compliance / principles
• Rules when using real life in scripted HETV / filmmaking
• Film classification rules 
• HETV / Film complaints procedures
• Film & TV charity risk assessments 
• Libel laws 
• Privacy laws
• Data protection
• Risk assessments
• Documentation and email best practice for legal protection
• Undue prominence of brands
• Fair dealing
• AI – usage and pitfalls eg policies and codes of practice, liabilities 

Module 4 – Clearances, Insurance & Legal Pitfalls  

• Understanding chain of title 
• Script clearance and legal vetting 
• Negative checks
• Stock footage and stills: licensing requirements 
• Product placement & brand use 
• Social media clearance
• Visual clearances, paintings, artwork, books etc
• Post clearances awareness including music
• Streamer clearance differences, clearance logs and paperwork
• Insurance types – E&O, general liability etc.
• Legal implications of health and safety compliance 
• Legal & BA checklists during prep, shoot, wrap   

 

Training Company 

DV Talent has been at the forefront of training professionals in TV and film for than 20 years. Our teaching ethos is to combine theory and practical, so people are putting into action what they are learning. Our courses are laser focused on the realities of production – our tutors are all current, acclaimed practitioners – so, as a trainee, you’ll be learning the latest trends and up-to-date best practices in production and commissioning, be it for terrestrial TV network, streamer or feature film.   

As a training provider our clients include all the major Indies and Networks (terrestrial and streamers), and we are a preferred supplier to both the BBC and ITV. https://www.wedeveloptalent.co.uk/

How to apply

Each course consists of four online modules, stripped across a week (Monday-Thursday). All four modules are mandatory. 

Please choose the course start date and time that best suits you. 

Course 1: Monday 9 February to Thursday 12 February: 09.00-11.00 

Course 2: Monday 9 March to Thursday 12 March: 12.00-14.00

Course 3: Tuesday 14 April to Friday 17 April: 18.00-20.00

MORE DATES TO COME

If you are unable to make a specific date on your scheduled course, we may be able to accommodate you on a subsequent one. 

In addition to the main training, we will be running a series of Masterclasses into specific, specialist topics such as bonds, working with insurers, talent and agents, AI and more. Dates tbc.

Click ‘apply now’ to apply for your place.

Contact information

Email: training@dvtalent.co.uk