California  |  Entertainment Law

If you're smart enough to ask the question, you probably already know the answer.

You need an agreement (or at the very least, a proper release) from everyone who works on or in your picture (cast, crew, etc), whether their face shows or not. In the case of extras that may be a simple one-pager that grants rights to name, likeness, biography and a work-for-hire statement for all services rendered.

The single biggest mistake filmmakers make (that is, the cause of most legal problems) is not having a signed agreement with each person before they begin work. It's simple enough to do before they start and a big (expensive) pain to do later. (I recommend giving your people a first-day call time early enough to allow time for the paperwork before work begins.)

The DVD/book series "What Every Filmmaker Needs to Know About the Law" (available from the web site of the same name) is a worthwhile investment for any prospective producer. It's an inexpensive way to get answers to all your legal questions and save money on legal fees.