reality tv law 101
DESCRIPTION
This session, prepared for the ATL Film Festival, outlines the legal issues related to producing Reality television shows.TRANSCRIPT
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Legal Workshops for Filmmakers:Reality TV Law 101
Presented by:
Deborah Gonzalez, Esq.
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2
This presentation is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. It is recommended that you seek legal counsel for specific matters.
DISCLAIMER
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Overview
This two-hour session focuses on legal nuances of reality TV shows – from idea submission and pitching agreements to participant waivers and contingency agreements, as well as digital streaming and social media legal concerns, the FCC, crisis management, and more.
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A genre of television programming that documents unscripted
situations and actual occurrences, and often features a previously
unknown cast.
What is a Reality TV show?
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Television programs in which real people are continuously filmed,
designed to be entertaining rather than informative.
What is a Reality TV show?
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Highlights: Personal drama and high conflict Controversy Participant Confessionals Competition Shows Transformation Shows Court TV
What is a Reality TV show?
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What is your favorite Reality TV show?
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Reality TV is part of our pop culture
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Reality TV Statistics
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TODAY.com poll of 19,000 people in 2012: Those who watch RTV consider themselves
more extroverted, more neurotic, and have lower self esteem than non-fans.
Makes them feel better about their own lives – not as bad as what they are watching on TV.
Private-watching (secret pleasure)
Who watches Reality TV shows?
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Why do they watch?
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How do they feel about RTV?
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MapsofWorld.comhttp://blog.mapsofworld.com/tag/reality-television-statistics/
Infographic Reference
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Players
Television Studios (BBC, Paramount, Warner, Disney)
Production Companies (Muse Entertainment, MPH,GRBTV, Pie Town, Intuitive Ent., Lyons Ent., plus many more )
Broadcast Networks (ABC, CBS, Fox, AMC, FX) Cable/Satellite Networks (Discovery, TLC,
HGTV, Bravo, HBO, Showtime) Distributors (Electus, Oxygen, TLC, UPN, Rive
Gauch)
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Players
Streaming Networks (Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime)
On Demand/Pay Per View DVD Rentals (Red Box) Online (YouTube, Facebook, etc.) High Definition – HDTV 3-D TV
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Creators Directors Producers Screen writers
Showrunners Actors (Managers, Agents, etc.)
Cross-Overs Casting Directors Music/Art Directors/Supervisors
Players
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Editors/Directors: Really unscripted?
Frankenbiting – taking footage and conversations out of context
Obnoxious for popularity – playing for the cameras & the audience
Creating Conlfict Dressing it up (make-overs)
Players
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Formats $$
First Run Pilots Syndication/Re-runs Network Affiliation Agreements Market = Advertising Dollars $$
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Copyrights
What is copyright?
Copyright is a form of protection grounded in the U.S. Constitution and granted by law for original works of authorship fixed in a tangible medium of expression. Copyright covers both published and unpublished works.
US Copyright Office: Circular 44 Cartoons and Comic Strips http://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ44.pdf
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Copyrights
Bundle of Rights
Right to Reproduce the Work Right to Derivative Works Right to Distribution Public Display Right Public Performance Right
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Copyrights
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Idea Submissions
Two types of cases: Circumstances that must exist in order for a
contract or confidential relationship to exist between the person who submits the idea and the person to whom it is submitted to.
Once that relationship is found, the characteristics of an idea must have in order to be protected.
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Summary of CA Law
Copyright vs Idea Submission Article (1998)http://www.kgmslaw.com/kulikart2.htmlList of elements:
There must be an idea The idea must be offered for sale The person receiving the idea must reasonably
understand that P expects to be compensated if his idea is used
The D must have actually used the idea No independent creation
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Ghost Hunters
Montz v Pilgrim Films & Television, Inc. 2011 US Ap LEXIS 9099 (9th Cir. May 4, 2011)
Key notes: Pre-emption not a problem; damages can include profit splitting.
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Only certain elements of a reality tv show are copyrightable – not the idea.
The Glass House vs. Big Brother
Copycat Shows
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Trademarks
Words or symbols used to identify a source in commerce.
In today’s world related to branding/sponsors/advertising.
Infringement occurs if and when customers are confused between the two marks because they are too similar.
Use only with permission unless falls into slim “fair use” exception.
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Legal Concerns
Defamation Publicity Rights
Guests Who Just Show Up Duty of Care
Safety & wellbeing of participants, guests, and by-standers
Are producers liable for stupid and dangerous things their participants do – like drive drunk? Negligence
Can you film illegal activities?
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Ethical Concerns
Are there any?
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Pitching
Idea/Concept Inquiry Letter Pitch
Logline Synopsis Treatment
Pitch Festivals The Great American Pitchfest PitchCon (Napte)
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Agreements
Writer’s Guild Basic Agreement Development Agreement
Locks the writer in for a specific amount of time and/or a specific number of series.
Minimum annual payment Provides offices, studio facilities Development Fund Other essential services
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Agreements
Creator Agreement/Credit Participant Contract
Locks the writer in for a specific amount of time and/or a specific number of series.
Background checks (foreseeability of trouble) Unconscionable?
Free Will Informed Consent/Decisions
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Ratings Game
Within key demographics
Nielsen Company: http://www.nielsen.com/us/en.html http://www.nielsen.com/us/en/measurement/television-measurement.html
Reality TV Stats Reporting:http://www.realitytvworld.com/index/articles/newssection.php?x=%7C%7C2
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Insurance
General insurance for theft, damage, injury to cast members
Workers compensation insurance Weather insurance Foreign Insurance Aircraft and water insurance Errors and Omissions insurance for producers
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International Markets
Reverse Engineering of Shows- Cultural Adaptation
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International Markets
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/Meet-Sesame-Streets-Global-Cast-of-Characters.html?c=y&page=1&navigation=previous#IMAGES
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Ancillary Markets
• Home videos/DVD• Soundtracks• Books• Merchandise• Collectibles
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FCC
Federal Communications Commission• Communications Act of 1934• Rule-making (ex. Regulates rates)• Licensing• Broadcast Licenses must be renewed
every 5 to 10 years• Cable Systems are not licensed
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Indecency
http://www.christianpost.com/news/supreme-court-case-fcc-v-fox-tv-divides-social-conservatives-libertarians-61966/
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Resources
Reality TV Reading Listhttp://anhoward.wordpress.com/works-cited/
Reality TV (History & Truth) Inforgraphichttp://blog.mapsofworld.com/tag/reality-television-statistics/
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Deborah Gonzalez, Esq.The Law Office of Deborah Gonzalez, Esq., LLCIP: Art, Music, Entertainment, DigitalAtlanta – New Yorkwww.dgonzalezesq.com [email protected]: @dg_iplaw
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