1 Where can I find sample contracts for my production?

The artslaw website has sample contracts www.artslaw.com.au. Arts Law’s sample contracts are produced with explanatory notes and sample wording for each clause. They have been created to assist low income creators and organisations in drafting contracts suitable for their needs.

2 Can I find someone to make my film for free?

In a word – “No.”

In several more words, “Maybe, but do your homework.”

If you have an idea that you write, produce, direct, act in, shoot, edit, post-produce and distribute on your own – then that film is yours entirely because you paid for every minute of it literally and in terms of owning the Intellectual Property (IP).

The moment you get other people involved and use their time and talents, then you are in a creative relationship and a business relationship. You may even be opening up the issue of who owns the IP on the project. It is not a simple matter of “just getting someone to help.”

Basically, volunteering or working for free is something that should be done on a limited basis and there needs to be some form of written agreement with clear parameters between the Producer and the Volunteer.

We do not recommend cast or crew working for free for any significant length of time. We know it happens, but your time has a market value.

3 What about copyright? I don’t want people to steal my idea!

An idea is not automatically copyright protected, that is why you need to have a document, such as a script, that has a date on it. Also keep good records about who you show your work to. If you want to be absolutely sure that your script is protected, the Australian Writer’s Guild has a script registering service that will ensure your script is protected.

4 Where do I find cast and crew rates?

Download the Motion Picture and Entertainment Agreement from the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) website. This link will take you straight to the downloads
http://www.alliance.org.au/resources/

5 What about getting one of your students to make my film?

Seriously, “No.”

The FTI has film students as do the TAFEs and Unis around Perth. But the reason they are students is that they are learning their craft. There is a difference between professional standards and student film-making.

Also our students are too busy completing an intensive course in filmmaking to have spare time to complete outside work.

And finally if you are able to persuade a student filmmaker to make your film, then they are still entitled to charge you for their time.

Student filmmaking does not equal free filmmaking.

6 So how do I make my own film?

Going from Filmmaking Newbie to the Next Big Thing takes a lot of time and effort. The film you want to make is probably slick, clever and stars Hugh Jackman. The film you can make right now will be shot on home video and will star your next-door neighbour. But you have to make this film and many more like it first. Unless your next door neighbour IS Hugh Jackman.

Start studying informally. Dig out the various movie-making applications that come with most computers and have another go at editing Uncle Stanley’s wedding footage. Do a music video version. Do an art film version. Learn from your mistakes and the over-use of the star-wipe transition.

If you work full time, go on the net and look at the dazzling range of film study options on-line. There are many part-time options for people who want to learn how to make a film. Then consider studying film formally. At the FTI.

7 Are these all the FAQs?

No way. We will post more as they come to hand. Let us know if you have a question that will make it to Production Support’s FAQ page. Email “Yvette”:mailto:yvette@fti.asn.au or “Nat”:mailto:nat_eaton@staff.fti.asn.au