Ownership

[FantomFilmmaker]

Hello. I am about to begin my first year at film school, but I'm a bit worried about ownership of my films.

I remember hearing that Christopher Nolan made short films but the school he was attending owns them and he cannot sell or distribute them. My contract with the film school says I checked the contract I have to sigh with the school and it says


"I ... hereby declare to authorize -school name- to use, my images and words (taken within the context of the school and during -school name- activities)"

"All rights to sales must be defined and contracted by -the school-."


Ok so there's no question, they'll own my film. But if I made a film, on my own time, with my own equipment and with acting students from the school, on our own time. Would that still be within the parameters of the contract?

 

[titaniumdoughnut]

What school is it?

The first paragraph you quoted seems to refer to you as a person. They can use your photo and quotes in advertising and that sort of thing.

The second paragraph you quoted is unclear. What sales must be defined and contracted by the school?

Ask them. They'd have no reason to lie about this.

USC, for example, owns your films, while NYU does not. If USC likes your movie, it's like having a studio promoting it. If they don't, no one ever sees it.

As to the question of independent non-class projects - I think you need to check with their legal department to be sure.

 

[FantomFilmmaker]

The two paragraphs were taken from separate parts of the contract. It is a very long document so I trimmed it to what I thought was relevant. The second paragraph (in it's unedited form, I trimmed it a little bit too much) refers to a film, that is the sale which is being defined.

I have probably watched too many episode of The X-Files, it has left me paranoid and trusting no one.
So if a film I make is sold, will I get screwed over a little bit, or a lot?

 

[titaniumdoughnut]

Again... I don't know. What school are you going to? Did you ask them outright?