Friday
01
Jul
2022
Legal Basics for Emerging Producers - 1 July

Legal Basics for Emerging Producers - 1 July

Posted Wednesday 13 Apr 2022

There are three workshops on three different dates, with eight places available in each.

Choose from Friday 6 May, Friday 17 June, Friday 1 July.

Shout out to all beginner producers! We know your budgets are tight, and talking to a lawyer can be daunting. Sinclair Black, Entertainment Lawyers, is offering up to 24 emerging producer WIFT members a free two-hour session to run through some of the legal basics you need to know as producers. Come and get some tips and tricks that may help avoid some bigger (and costly) legal mistakes...!

Mel Chuter will cover things such as:

  • legal concepts like how to form a contract, copyright, chain of title, and running an SPV;
  • the key agreements you'll need as a producer;
  • common clauses you should understand (e.g. what do “warranty", “indemnity”, "injunctive relief” actually mean?);
  • what to look out for in a production agreement, a distribution agreement and a financing agreement; and
  • and when (and how!) to get help from a lawyer.

Christy Whelan will talk through the basics of music licensing for film and tv – what rights you need, who to get them from and how best to do that. 

These are small and intimate sessions, for new producers wanting to ask all those questions about the stuff you’re ‘supposed’ to know. Just be aware that Mel and Christy cannot give out specific advice on matters. The rules governing lawyers require that clients formally engage a lawyer to give rise to a solicitor/client relationship. The session is not a substitute for legal advice and you cannot rely on it as such – if you have a legal matter you need help with you should engage a specialist lawyer.  

Presented by Mel Chuter and Christy Whelan of Sinclair Black 

Bookings essential to office@wiftnz.org.nz.

State the date of the workshop you're booking for.

First in first served!

Date: Friday 01 Jul 2022
Location: Click Studios, 145 Carrington Rd, Mt Albert, Auckland
Time: 10:00am - 12:00pm

Friday
01
Jul
2022

Upcoming events...

Tuesday 09 Dec 2025

Combined Guilds Xmas Party (Christchurch)

Combined Guilds Xmas Parties 2025 – Ōtautahi 

It’s been another interesting year for Aotearoa’s screen industry, now it’s time to reflect, raise a glass, and celebrate together!

Join the writers, directors, editors, actors, stunties, crew, producers, postproduction and VFX magicians and all the screen creators who keep the cameras rolling and the stories flowing.

The Combined Guilds Xmas Parties are your chance to reconnect with old friends, meet new collaborators, and enjoy a well-earned festive catch-up with good people who get it.

What’s included:

  • Your $10 ticket covers a bar tab and snacks
  • A warm, welcoming mix of industry whānau across all screen guilds
  • The perfect chance to unwind, swap stories, and toast to another creative year

Whether you’ve been in development, on set, in post, behind the scenes, or in front of the camera, come celebrate the people who make Aotearoa’s screen industry what it is!

Ōtautahi / Christchurch – Tuesday 9 December, 5–9pm

Venue: Dux Central, 144 Lichfield Street, Christchurch Central City

https://events.humanitix.com/combined-guilds-xmas-party-christchurch

Thursday 11 Dec 2025

Combined Guilds Xmas Party (Auckland)

Combined Guilds Xmas Parties 2025 – Tāmaki Makaurau 

It’s been another interesting year for Aotearoa’s screen industry, now it’s time to reflect, raise a glass, and celebrate together!

Join the writers, directors, editors, actors, stunties, crew, producers, postproduction and VFX magicians and all the screen creators who keep the cameras rolling and the stories flowing.

The Combined Guilds Xmas Parties are your chance to reconnect with old friends, meet new collaborators, and enjoy a well-earned festive catch-up with good people who get it.

What’s included:

  • Your $10 ticket covers a bar tab and snacks
  • A warm, welcoming mix of industry whānau across all screen guilds
  • The perfect chance to unwind, swap stories, and toast to another creative year

Whether you’ve been in development, on set, in post, behind the scenes, or in front of the camera, come celebrate the people who make Aotearoa’s screen industry what it is!

Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland – Thursday 11 December, from 6pm

Venue: The Longroom, 114 Ponsonby Road, Grey Lynn

https://events.humanitix.com/combined-guilds-xmas-party-auckland

Thursday 18 Dec 2025

Combined Guilds Xmas Party (Wellington)

Combined Guilds Xmas Parties 2025 – | Te Whanganui-a-Tara

It’s been another interesting year for Aotearoa’s screen industry, now it’s time to reflect, raise a glass, and celebrate together!

Join the writers, directors, editors, actors, stunties, crew, producers, postproduction and VFX magicians and all the screen creators who keep the cameras rolling and the stories flowing.

The Combined Guilds Xmas Parties are your chance to reconnect with old friends, meet new collaborators, and enjoy a well-earned festive catch-up with good people who get it.

What’s included:

  • Your $10 ticket covers a bar tab and snacks
  • A warm, welcoming mix of industry whānau across all screen guilds
  • The perfect chance to unwind, swap stories, and toast to another creative year

Whether you’ve been in development, on set, in post, behind the scenes, or in front of the camera, come celebrate the people who make Aotearoa’s screen industry what it is!

Te Whanganui-a-Tara / Wellington – Thursday 18 December, from 6pm

Venue: Southern Cross Garden Bar & Restaurant, 39 Abel Smith Street, Te Aro

https://events.humanitix.com/combined-guilds-xmas-party-wellington

Programme is brought to you with generous support from the NZ Film Commission and Foundation North.