Calling All Independent Filmmakers in the Bay Area

Bay Area Video Coalition, Independent Television Service and the Center for Social Media are hosting an event on Friday February 24, 2006 on the topic of “What Fair Use Really Means For Independent Filmmakers.” Promising to expose the “secret side” a copyright law, the event includes a showing of Untold Stories, a short video produced at American University ’s Center for Social Media about the problem of rights clearance for documentary filmmakers, and a discussion with filmmakers, programmers, and legal experts about such topics as: What’s “fair” in quoting or appropriating something without paying for it? What are the implications of Fair Use on freedom of expression and distribution? How can I reduce production and legal costs and follow the law? How do I deal with the exploitation of my material? What is the best way to navigate the law safely?”

Panelists will include:Patricia Aufderheide, Director, Center for Social Media, American University; Fred Von Lohmann, Senior Staff Attorney, Electronic Frontier Foundation; Jack Walsh, independent filmmaker and Co-Director, National Alliance for Media Arts and Culture; Donald Young, Director of Broadcast Programming, Center for Asian American Media; Claire Aguilar, Director of Programming, Independent Television Service. Wendy from BVAC tells me that the event is free and no registration required. Also, check out (if you haven’t already) the Center for Social Media’s Documentary Filmmaker’s Statement of Best Practice in Fair Use.

Related posts:

1. Independent Weekly
2. Independent Musicians
3. What independent music slump?
4. dadaIMC codebase used by Independent Media Centers supports CC
5. Speaking of independent film & copyright . . . Triggerstreet & Kevin Spacey