About the Book:

Limited Quantities - Out of Print

A companion to Mark Litwak's popular books on entertainment industry dealmaking and contracts, Risky Business is an authoritative blueprint for successfully producing any independent film or video.

Included among the many topics that the author discusses: partnerships; corporations; limited liability companies; equity investments; attracting investors; evaluating a film's economic value; co-production; working the film festivals; distribution territories; distribution agreements; distributors' accounting practices; and much more. In addition to its primary text, it includes a number of essential contracts, sample statements and certificates, checklists, and lists of useful resources.

What people say:

"Independent filmmakers who want to put their budgets on the screen rather than in an attorney's pocket and who want to get their films sold should own Risky Business, read it before gearing up for production, and consult it frequently to make sure that all the correct legal steps are being taken. …Risky Business will surely answer many questions for first-time and experienced filmmakers and reduce hours spent on the phone with an attorney." — Backstage West

"…the book provides a very informative seventeen-step 'self-defense checklist,' which lists some of the most important ways filmmakers can protect their interests.' In addition, the book's appendices provide a delivery checklist, a sample certificate of origin, a sample statement of prior distribution, a sample statement of distribution restrictions and obligations, a checklist to assist in drafting an acquisition/distribution agreement, and a sample copyright security agreement. These documents would be helpful to anyone trying to negotiate an independent film project." — Thomas J. Griffith, Intellectual Property Counselor

About the Author:

Mark Litwak is a veteran entertainment attorney with offices in Beverly Hills, California. His practice includes work in the areas of copyright, trademark, contract, multimedia law, intellectual property, and book publishing. Litwak also functions as a Producer's Representative, assisting filmmakers in the financing, marketing and distribution of their films.