film, video & TV training | professional development

Discipline/s:	production
Level:	Intermediate
Course code Date/s & times:	LAW1301: 9 May (6.15pm - 9.15pm)
Contact hours:	3
Places:	30
Fee:	$77 Open Channel Members / $93 (non-members) (Prices are Inclusive of GST) (Membership: $55 / $44 concession - join Open Channel here)

Dream it, make it, don’t get sued!

Taught by an experienced film lawyer, this workshop explores the array of legal issues relevant to the development, production and distribution of film and digital content. From contracts to copyright, this is a vital course for anyone involved in film or video production.

General topics covered include: copyright law, rights to personality, defamation law, music law, contracts, release forms, insurance, unions, company structures (sole trader vs. incorporation) and where the law is heading in this digital age. Find out how the law can assist you to protect your rights.

Prerequisites: None. Beneficial to have basic filmmaking knowledge

Who should do this course?
Suitable for anyone interested or currently working in the screen industry. Producers, writers, directors and all crew will gain something from this workshop.

Where can I go after this course?
Continue training in Producing at Open Channel, or working as an independent filmmaker applying your new knowledge and skills in sound legal procedures for screen practice.

Are you interested in being Accredited for this course?
Read about Accreditation Options on Short Courses

How do I Enrol?
Simply print an Enrolment Form and return to us with payment to secure a place in the Short Course. See the Enrolment Form for details on how to pay.
Short Courses Application Form (pdf)

If you wish to enrol in this course as part of a full Certificate III in Media / Advanced Diploma of Screen and Media, with up-front payment, click here.

Tutors

SHAUN MILLER
Shaun recently set up Shaun Miller Lawyers specialising in film and entertainment law (based in Melbourne). Previous to this, Shaun was a Partner in the Media Department at Marshalls & Dent Lawyers. Earlier in his career, Shaun worked in film production (with filmmaker Paul Cox) as well as film distribution and exhibition (with Sharmill Films and Cinema Nova). Shaun is the Chair of the Board of the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA) Film and Television School Course Advisory Committee. He was previously on the board of Channel 31 (a community television station based in Melbourne) and the Melbourne Queer Film Festival. With over 10 years' experience in the area of film and entertainment law, Shaun has worked on a vast number of feature films, television series, animations, short films and new media projects. Features films that Shaun has done the legal work on include Ned Kelly, Gettin' Squared, The Rage in Placid Lake, Mary and Max, Acolytes, The Night We Called It a Day (which was produced by Emile Sherman, whose film The King's Speech won the Oscar for Best Picture at the 2011 Academy Awards) Van Diemen's Land and the soon-to-be-released film X. Shaun has also worked on a string of low budget feature films in the last couple of years including Surviving Georgia, Belladonna, Hail and Triple Happiness, all of which Shaun is also the Executive Producer on. One of the highlights Shaun's career as a film lawyer was acting for the producer of Adam Elliot's short animated film Harvie Krumpet which won an Oscar at the Academy Awards in 2004. Shaun also guest lectures in film and entertainment law at Open Channel, the VCA Film and Television School, the AFTRS, RMIT and the University of Melbourne. Shaun sees the role of today's film and entertainment lawyer as a "facilitator", that is, liaising with producers, government funding bodies, distributors, financiers and creative talent in order to get film and television programs onto the big and small screen.