After spending years advising filmmakers regarding the legal and business issues involved in filmmaking, Havona Madama (founding partner of Madama Griffitts O'Hara, LLP, a business law firm for entrepreneurs in technology and entertainment)  realized a horrifying trend - the average first time producer-director-writer was not obtaining any legal advice prior to making their first film, and they were making costly mistakes.  Some filmmakers could not even distribute their final product because of legal issues with releases and intellectual property violations.

Often, the first time Havona met with a filmmaker was when the filmmaker called concerned about a potential lawsuit (or had been sued) because the filmmaker had begun the project without speaking to an attorney, drafting contracts or organizing a corporation.

Frustrated by having to advise clients of the legal and financial problems resulting from beginning production without legal advice, Havona decided to help as many producers as possible, which ultimately lead to her book "The Independent Filmmakers Production Binder" also known as The Production Binder.

The Production Binder is a business and legal guide to production  and includes practical advise on nearly every aspect of  the film business, from setting up a corporation and negotiating a colloboration agreement, to hiring actors and crew and making distribution decisions.  This book is not your average list of forms, it is an actual production legal binder with a checklist and ready to use forms set up to make the first time producer's life easier, and includes practical, legal and business advice.

The first edition of The Production Binder, available for sale beginning November 23, 2009, is based on New York law and contains the advice and forms that a New York based film production would spend more than $15,000.00 in legal fees to obtain.

This conference provides attendees with the opportunity to ask and receive answers to specific business and legal questions and each attendee shall receive a copy of The Production Binder. 

Each conference date will have up to 30 filmmakers and legal and business advisors to assist the attendees in getting their productions started on the right foot.

For more information, call 212.209.5450.