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  • Backing the Vision: Chris Perez on Financing & Distribution in Independent Film

    Backing the Vision: Chris Perez on Financing & Distribution in Independent Film
    Jun 16 2025
    EPISODE SUMMARYIn this episode of The Filmmaker’s Legal Lens, we sit down with Chris Perez, partner at the entertainment law firm Donaldson + Callif + Perez, to unpack the financial and legal realities of getting your film made and distributed.Chris brings deep insight from years of working with independent producers, helping them navigate equity raises, tax credits, debt financing, and investor negotiations—while also planning ahead for deliverables, rights clearance, and distribution readiness.You’ll hear how to avoid common traps, like giving away too much backend too early, failing to budget for legal review, or structuring deals that disincentivize distributors from getting involved. This episode is packed with strategy—not theory—for filmmakers at any stage of production.
    WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODEPreparing for Distribution – Legal & Practical Strategy
    • Why distribution needs to be baked into financing discussions
    • What buyers and streamers look for in your chain of title and deal memos
    • The legal deliverables checklist: what you need before you sell
    • Why lack of legal planning kills good projects in post-production

    Next Episode:Coming up: Dale Nelson, partner at Donaldson Callif Perez and expert in fair use law, joins us to discuss how to protect your right to tell the story that needs to be told—especially when it's controversial, sensitive, or legally risky.Subscribe & Share:
    • Website: https://donaldsoncallifperez.com
    • Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen.
    • Rate & review to support legal literacy in the creative community.
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    41 Min.
  • Navigating Clearance in Entertainment – Alexandre M. Yousefzadeh

    Navigating Clearance in Entertainment – Alexandre M. Yousefzadeh
    Jun 9 2025
    Episode Description:
    In this episode, we sit down with Alex Yousefzadeh, a seasoned attorney at Donaldson Callif Perez, to explore the legal intricacies of entertainment and media law. From his early academic days at NYU to his specialized legal training at Southwestern Law, Alex has carved a niche helping filmmakers and creatives tackle everything from rights acquisition to distribution.Topics covered include:
    • What fair use really means in a production setting
    • The mystery of orphan works and how Alex helps clients solve it
    • Navigating production legal issues from development to distribution
    • Why storytelling matters—even in legal briefs
    Guest Bio:
    Alex Yousefzadeh joined Donaldson Callif Perez in 2015 and specializes in corporate structuring, financing, production legal, and clearance. He earned his B.A. from NYU’s Gallatin School and his J.D. from Southwestern Law School, where he focused on intellectual property and entertainment law. Alex also created innovative tools to help clients trace copyright holders—work that remains crucial in an industry often limited by the lack of orphan works legislation.Resources & Mentions:
    • Donaldson Callif Perez (https://www.donaldsoncallif.com)
    • Fair Use Doctrine Overview
    • U.S. Copyright Office: Orphan Works
    • NYU Gallatin School of Individualized Study
    • Southwestern University School of Law
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    44 Min.
  • The Oscar-Winning Intersection of Creativity and Legality – "The Only Girl in the Orchestra"

    The Oscar-Winning Intersection of Creativity and Legality – "The Only Girl in the Orchestra"
    Jun 1 2025
    LEGAL VISION — Episode 1
    Title: The Oscar-Winning Intersection of Creativity and Legality – "The Only Girl in the Orchestra"In our premiere episode, we explore what it takes to tell bold, socially relevant stories—and how to legally protect them.Host, Damien Swaby sits down with two trailblazers: Together, they unpack the intersection of storytelling and legal strategy:
    • How to tackle high-risk subjects with confidence
    • When and how fair use applies in documentary work
    • Why legal reviews should be part of your creative process—not an afterthought
    • The ethical and legal challenges behind using real people, archival footage, and public content
    Whether you're tackling a politically charged film or an intimate artist portrait, this episode offers essential legal insights to keep your creative vision intact.Lisa Remington is an Oscar- and Emmy-winning producer behind over two dozen acclaimed documentaries, including The Only Girl in the Orchestra, Hunt for Planet B, The Price of Everything, and Disclosure. Her work has premiered at major festivals like Sundance and Cannes, and aired on HBO, Netflix, and PBS. Upcoming projects include Judy Chicago Untitled, The Bend in the River, and One Point Five, set for release in early 2026.Lisa Callif is a founding partner at Donaldson Callif Perez, is a leading entertainment attorney known for clearing legal hurdles for independent filmmakers. She specializes in fair use, copyright, and personal rights, with clients including Richard Linklater, the Safdie Brothers’ Elara, and Artists Equity. She has advised on major docs like The Only Girl in the Orchestra and co-authored three books on legal issues in filmmaking. Lisa frequently speaks and writes on entertainment law and teaches at UCLA and industry events.If this episode gave you clarity or inspiration, make sure to:
    • Subscribe to never miss an episode
    • Leave a 5-star rating to help others find us
    • Comment with your favorite insight or takeaway

    LEGAL VISION – Empowering creators with the tools to tell bold stories—legally and ethically.
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    53 Min.