Q:  I want to shoot a short film in which a couple is on a date to the movie Casablanca in one of the scenes.  I know I can't use it without permission from Warner Bros.  So I have three questions really:

1.  Is it possible that Warner Bros. would grant me permission to use a few short clips of Casablanca for a small or zero fee?  If so, who would I talk to at WB about this?

Q:  We are in the pre-production stages of a fantasy flick.  It has the story line of "Rapunzel."  Should I be worried about the copyright?

 

A:  During last month's Los Angeles Film Festival, I magnanimously participated in Film Independent's Fast Track Industry Program.  It's a speed dating type of session in which a talented filmmaker meets with an industry heavy hitter, like yours truly, for about 20 minutes and asks questions, followed by another gifted filmmaker, and so on. 

Q: How do I create a document to attach myself as a producer/actor to the writer of a pilot/show that I am going to present to a big time TV producer?

Q: How do I attach, benefit, and protect myself with a script brought to my attention to help with funding?

A: My second child has just been born.  A precious, fragile, adorable miracle.  It's moments like this that make you re-focus on what really matters in life.  The spotlight of clarity turns brightly on, your eye lashes are taped to your forehead, and you up and see what's at the core of it all - money.  Babies are expensive.  Just one year at some Westside

Q:  I am in talks with a bestselling author to option his first novel.  A studio recently let their option expire.  While the book was under option, the studio hired a screenwriter to write a screenplay.  I would like to contact this screenwriter to see if he would want to be involved with this property again, under my company.  Before I approach him, I would like to know if he would be under any kind of contract with the studio that would prevent him from working with