The Pocket Lawyer for Filmmakers, 2nd Edition

8

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 the Screenplay by Yourself,” p. 87.)
• Even if you are the sole author of a screenplay, if you're adapting another per- son's work, you will need his or her permission to do so. (See “Screenplay Adaptations,” p. 117.)
• 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. 90.)
• If you are basing the script on someone's life story, you will need to secure the rights. (See “Life Story Rights,” p. 124.)
• Regardless of how the screenplay is written, you should ...