The Pocket Lawyer for Filmmakers

7

CREATING A SCREENPLAY

Creating and protecting a screenplay can be both artistically and legally challenging:

•  Legally, the simplest route is to write it yourself. (See Writing a Screenplay by Yourself, p. 61.)

•  Even if you are the sole author of a screenplay, if you’re adapting another person’s work, you will need his or her permission to do so. (See Screenplay Adaptations, p. 88.)

•  If you are writing with another person, you should be aware of the legal implications of collaborative writing and joint authorship. (See Writing Collaboration, p. 63.)

•  If you are basing the script on someone’s life story, you will need to secure the rights. (See Life Story Rights, p. 94.)

•  Regardless of how the screenplay is written, you should protect ...