Distribution deal crash course?
 

Can anybody steer me in the direction of info about distributing and what to expect in a meeting to discuss a distribution deal. I have produced a concert film for an artist who is fairly prominent. I'm not quite sure what sort of deal I should be looking for. I've got a few distributors interested, but until I sit down at the table with a few of them I can't gauge what I should be asking for.

Any advice gratefully received, and anything potentially sensitive welcome in my private message box.

Many thanks,

Rob

If you were in the U.S. the best advice, depending on the amount of money potentially involved, is to seek the advice of an entertainment atty with experience in structuring distribution deals. He/she could help you not be taken advantage of and that might well justify the fee, but again it depends on the amount of money at stake.

What I know of the English legal system has been gleaned from Rumpole of the Bailey and The Bill (i.e. I know next to nothing) so I have no idea what the best approach would be in the UK, but I'd guess it's similar . . . good luck

Thanks for your reply Peter. Who should ideally attend these meetings. Would it normally be a Director and Producer plus a legal representative? Unfortunately, the chances are the Director will not be able to be present, but that may not be much of a loss...

This is normally a producer's issue, if by producer one means the person responsible for financing, selling, distributing the work. The director might be involved if he/she had an investment in the piece.

I did a bit of googling . . . see following post

This firm looks good:

http://www.simkins.co.uk/LegalServices/FilmAndTV.aspx