rights agreements

BAI helps its clients through the maze of rights issues, by analyzing Chain of Title, identifying rights problems and solutions, and negotiating and drafting agreements to purchase literary rights, “life story” rights, and clearances of all kinds.

financing

Keeping up with the constantly-evolving area of entertainment financing demands a depth of knowledge and a flexible approach. We pride ourselves on both. Our expertise and past work gives us unique insight into traditional equity funding and collateralized production lending, domestic and international tax incentives, gap financing, and other sources of production funds.

development

Once the underlying rights to a project have been secured, the next step in the production process is generally development of the script. Business Affairs, Inc. negotiates and drafts agreements with writers, directors, and producers to participate in this process.

production counsel

Production of feature films and television programs requires an array of agreements from the simplest release forms and location agreements to actor deals involving complex profit participations, bonuses, approvals, and perks. Whether the budget is $100,000 or $100 million, every production presents a unique set of challenges, and requires a high level of expertise and efficiency to get deals signed and field issues that arise.

distribution

Motion picture distribution comes in many forms and may require agreements to be negotiated with independents, “major” or “mini-major” studios in the US, with foreign territorial distributors, sales agents, and others. In addition, producers (and distributors) today must be adept at negotiating distribution deals for a variety of new digital media. BAI’s representation of prominent distributors and producers has given us unique insight into the evolving business of distributing entertainment properties.

seminars

BAI conducts seminars from time to time at our offices which are open to producers, executives, and other interested parties. The seminars offer attendees basic information about entertainment industry dealmaking, and an opportunity to network with entertainment professionals. Past topics have included “The Rights Stuff” (Rights Acquisition and Development), “The Green Stuff” (Financing), “Carmageddon; The Movie” (Production Agreements), and “The Wide World of Distribution” (Distribution and Delivery).