filmmakerCA
Junior Member
What is the name of your state? California.
Hi. This is my first post here. And I have a legal question, and/or questions. I just finished an independent low budget feature film. And I do mean low budget, small crew, mostly family really. Anyhow, I met two individuals who gained interest in working on my project. They helped out for well over a year, off and on, for free. That was the only way I could finish the thing with working full time and everything. The story is based on my novel and is going to get published soon by a small publishing house, and is under legal copyright. I actually finished the shooting script, however, I finished it sometime during the end of the shooting process (as it was primarily based on my novel). But, these two individuals said they found a buyer for my film (this was before it was finished) and I declined, because the buyer wanted all rights (outright). I wanted to finish the film first, and then look for a buyer. These two individuals immediately turned into the opposite of who I knew them for -- generous, helpful, and good people -- into individuals who didn't show up for shooting, and they would delay editing times up until the very last two scenes where to be completed. So, during that time, I got suspicious, and so when I asked these two gentlement to sign release forms (I was going to give them producer credit on the film) they wouldn't sign them. And one of the guys is a performer on the film too, though he does wear a mask (it's a horror film), but he will not sign a talent release form. As I explained to them that the film is low budget, non-union, and in order to present it to film festivals and such, if it gets distributed, release forms were very appropriate. I thought I could trust them before, so I never thought release forms were an issue, since most of the people helping on the film were family. They were well aware that I wasn't paying anybody, as it was micro-budget, no I never had formal contracts or anything. When I declined on the offer to sell my movie, they insinuated that other people are involved now and deserve payments, maybe even rights to the project. To me, it seemed like they mainly wanted profits (money). So, this is my predicament -- no contracts, no release forms for these two gentlemen who aren't willing to sign anything -- and the film is really good. I do have the novel copyritten. And the rough cut of the movie has been filed (officially stamped) though it does not appear on the us copyright website as of yet. It takes a very long time for them to process that. I did get the paperwork back, stamped and all, from us copyright office. One of the guys was editing my movie, but when we got to the very last two scenes before completion (of the film) he staggered on it and would not do anything at all to finish it. I got all the copies back, but he's a got a near to complete rough cut of the project on his computer which I no longer have access to (to work and or complete the project). Though I've taken over editing the picture myself, have all original footage, that may take some time longer since I have rebuild it from a copy of the rough cut. I feel better having that kind of creative control, however, can they sue me if I sell this thing and do well with it?
What to do? Any advice appreciated. Thank you very much.
Hi. This is my first post here. And I have a legal question, and/or questions. I just finished an independent low budget feature film. And I do mean low budget, small crew, mostly family really. Anyhow, I met two individuals who gained interest in working on my project. They helped out for well over a year, off and on, for free. That was the only way I could finish the thing with working full time and everything. The story is based on my novel and is going to get published soon by a small publishing house, and is under legal copyright. I actually finished the shooting script, however, I finished it sometime during the end of the shooting process (as it was primarily based on my novel). But, these two individuals said they found a buyer for my film (this was before it was finished) and I declined, because the buyer wanted all rights (outright). I wanted to finish the film first, and then look for a buyer. These two individuals immediately turned into the opposite of who I knew them for -- generous, helpful, and good people -- into individuals who didn't show up for shooting, and they would delay editing times up until the very last two scenes where to be completed. So, during that time, I got suspicious, and so when I asked these two gentlement to sign release forms (I was going to give them producer credit on the film) they wouldn't sign them. And one of the guys is a performer on the film too, though he does wear a mask (it's a horror film), but he will not sign a talent release form. As I explained to them that the film is low budget, non-union, and in order to present it to film festivals and such, if it gets distributed, release forms were very appropriate. I thought I could trust them before, so I never thought release forms were an issue, since most of the people helping on the film were family. They were well aware that I wasn't paying anybody, as it was micro-budget, no I never had formal contracts or anything. When I declined on the offer to sell my movie, they insinuated that other people are involved now and deserve payments, maybe even rights to the project. To me, it seemed like they mainly wanted profits (money). So, this is my predicament -- no contracts, no release forms for these two gentlemen who aren't willing to sign anything -- and the film is really good. I do have the novel copyritten. And the rough cut of the movie has been filed (officially stamped) though it does not appear on the us copyright website as of yet. It takes a very long time for them to process that. I did get the paperwork back, stamped and all, from us copyright office. One of the guys was editing my movie, but when we got to the very last two scenes before completion (of the film) he staggered on it and would not do anything at all to finish it. I got all the copies back, but he's a got a near to complete rough cut of the project on his computer which I no longer have access to (to work and or complete the project). Though I've taken over editing the picture myself, have all original footage, that may take some time longer since I have rebuild it from a copy of the rough cut. I feel better having that kind of creative control, however, can they sue me if I sell this thing and do well with it?
What to do? Any advice appreciated. Thank you very much.
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