Some Blatant Clueless questions.

Rawky

Rawky

Hi all

Hope you all had a good Easter or otherwise weekend.

What with the arrival of my new filming equipment I am one step closing to starting on my first feature. However something has struck me which for some reason I never really thought of before. I was wondering if you could possibly help me out, I know these might seem like glaring obvious 'things' I should have considered before but I do apologise for my 'airheadedness' :bag:

The first thing is related to 'the actors' for my film. I am still in the process of finding all of them but they are aware that this is an unpaid role. Some are 'distant' family members who are doing this as a favour but the others aren't. For the ones who aren't do I have to get them to sign any sort of document? One saying they can't sue me if they lose an arm or something? As this is a completely independent, self funded film would that make any difference to any sort of legalities?

My other question is about my production company. I have a name for a company, but that's as far is it goes at the moment. I'm looking into getting a logo designed, and an animated one (to put at the beginning of my films). I plan to send my finished film to festivals but do i need to have a registered production company for them to accept it? Would that be an extra cost?

Thanks in advance, if you could answer any of these I would be very appreciative.
 
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I don't know how things are done in the U.K. but here it is customary that talent sign a release. Crew also sign a release releasing their work to the producer.

Regarding a production company name, I think the more important thing is that a separate entity be created that helps isolate you as an individual from liabilities incurred by the production. Here, the simplest form is the LLC or sub chapter S corp. These types of corporations can be documented for a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. Alternately, you can register a name and perform work as a DBA (doing business as).
What is your intent in using a name other than your own for your work?
 
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Rawky said:
For the ones who aren't do I have to get them to sign any sort of document? One saying they can't sue me if they lose an arm or something?
Click to expand...
I get the impression Rawky is asking about liability releases not
model/talent releases. I'd be interested in how this works in the
UK. Can people working on a set sign away their right to sue for
any injuries suffered while working on the set or location?
 
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No document you sign will release a person from neglegence. Liability releases typically cover activities that are inherently dangerous or have the potential to be dangerous such as a commercial bungie jumping operation. Injuries can and do occur even if the operator is practicing proper care and maintainance of the equipment. However, the liability release will NOT prevent an operator from being sued for neglegence if a device fails from improper/lack of maintainance, or inproper usage.

So, while you can have your talent and crew sign a liability release, if you are listed as the producer, and decided to get that last shot just as it started to rain and someone got electrocuted from a wet stinger, or an actor was directed to stand on an unsafe platform and it gave way, the person injured or killed can still sue for neglegence, and liability release or not, the producer is up sh*t creek.

directorik said:
I get the impression Rawky is asking about liability releases not
model/talent releases. I'd be interested in how this works in the
UK. Can people working on a set sign away their right to sue for
any injuries suffered while working on the set or location?
Click to expand...
 
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Non-negligent liability is very difficult and very expensive to
defend even when wavers are signed. Even if you win, a waver
cannot prevent a lawsuit.

I know you’re right, gpforet, I’m wondering if it’s the same in
the UK as it is here in the states.
 
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I think I misspoke, or you misunderstood: I'm stating that if it's negligence, it's the fault of the negligent person... the non-negligent liability is they waive the claim if it's accidental.
 
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Thanks for your replies guys, apologies for my late reply but I was having trouble getting back onto this site.

I am a clearly not a businessman so I do feel a bit lost with all this. I will try and look into it though, I guess I'm gonna need it.
 
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