BUSINESS BASICS

This workshop provides an overview of the legal tools available to help artists and creatives establish their work as their business. We discuss forming an LLC, financial basics for solo and small businesses, the importance of contracts and how to make good ones, and protecting your copyrights and trademarks while also respecting the rights of other artists.

CONTRACTS FOR CREATIVES

This workshop walks creators through the most important clauses necessary to any contract, how to achieve a "meeting of the minds", and how to protect themselves from contract litigation. Whether participants are artists, small business owners, or independent contractors, this workshop teaches them how to craft successful contracts and how to avoid common pitfalls. 

ESTATE PLANNING FOR ARTISTS 

This workshop provides an overview of estate planning concepts, planning options for the disposition of artwork, and the risks unique to artists that must be addressed in a will.

COPYRIGHT FUNDAMENTALS 

This workshop provides valuable information on the fundamentals of basic copyright protection, including copyrightability of works, ownership (initial ownership, transfers, and what is a "work-made-for-hire"), registration, infringement and remedies, and fair use. Through this workshop artists gain a basic understanding of copyright law and learn how to protect their work.

LEGAL ISSUES IN MUSIC 

This workshop aims to provide an overview of the legal aspects of the music industry. Topics include copyright essentials for musicians, a look at music publishing and Performing Rights Organizations (PROs), music licensing, understanding recording and publishing contracts, and music clearances for the use of music in film, TV, digital projects, and more.

READING BETWEEN THE LINES OF A PUBLISHING AGREEMENT 

The nuts and bolts of the business of writing are as essential to a writer's success as the writer's work itself. This workshop covers the principles of copyright law as the underpinnings of all writing; the roles of agents and lawyers, the process of obtaining them and the means of compensating them; the contents of a typical collaboration agreement and why such a contract is an absolute necessity; typical publishing agreement clauses dealing with royalties, advances, rights granted and rights withheld, etc.; and the editing process: what happens if the publisher rejects the manuscript, the publisher's ultimate acceptance of the manuscript, publication after acceptance, and promotion and publicity.

NEGOTIATION SKILLS & STRATEGIES FOR ARTISTS AND PERFORMERS 

This workshop covers principles and tactics underlying one of the most important, though misunderstood components of a successful arts/entertainment career -- negotiations. Concepts covered include: focusing expectations, undertaking advance preparations, cultivating effective skills and tactics, recognizing and avoiding common pitfalls and impasses, etc., with particular emphasis on the music, entertainment and media industries.

FILM CLEARANCE

This workshop provides a deep dive into the world of rights, clearances, and fair use for media projects, including a discussion of how and when to obtain permission to use copyrighted works, what constitutes “fair use,” and the essential items to include in any license agreement.

FILM PRODUCTION CONTRACTS

This workshop provides an overview of common production contracts used in modern filmmaking, including cast and crew agreements, location agreements, talent releases, composer agreements and music and film licenses, and special concerns with working with minors and independent contractors.

THE VARA AND VISUAL ARTISTS

This workshop provides an explanation of the Visual Artists Rights Act of 1990 and how it can protect artists who work in a visual medium, including street artists, painters, sculptors and photographers. We’ll go through the major rights given to artists under this law, how and when those rights can be waived, and how contracts can be drafted with these rights in mind.