RothLegal

My latest blog article and the first of 2026:

Location Agreements: What Indie Filmmakers Really Need to Know By: Murray A. Roth, Jr., Esq. 1/10/26 Finding the right location can elevate a film instantly. But for independent filmmakers, locations aren’t just a creative choice—they’re a legal one. From a distributor’s point of view, a location agreement is a required part of the film’s chain of tit...

My latest blog article:

‘Hold Harmless’ and ‘Indemnity’ Clauses In Film Contracts: Important Things To Know By: Murray A. Roth, Jr., Esq.9/24/25 Independent filmmakers wear a lot of hats. Anyone who has ever produced an indie film knows this well. In addition to running the set during production, the brave persons who take on this task will also be negotiating contracts, securing locations, hiring cast an...

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/age-fluid-entertainment-mario-niccol%C3%B2-messina-wd7ec?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

The Age of Fluid Entertainment From the Illusion of Control to Algorithmic Abundance: Why the Distribution System Has Reached the End of the Line For over a century, cinema thrived under a logic as simple as it was powerful: scarcity. Scarcity of technical means, of access, of channels.

My latest blog article. This one on "Deferrals, Residuals, and Back End Profit-Share."

Deferrals, Residuals, and Profit-Share: What to Know About Back End Compensation By: Murray A. Roth, Jr., Esq. 8/2/25Independent filmmaking is, at its core, a labor of love. It’s also a business that often runs on limited cash and maximum belief in the story, the team, and the promise that everyone involved will eventually get what they’re owed. Because budgets are tight and...

https://www.forbes.com/sites/schuylermoore/2025/07/09/the-impact-of-the-new-tax-bill-on-hollywood/

The Impact Of The New Tax Bill On Hollywood This article summarizes the tax provisions in the bill that apply to Hollywood.

Some good info about securing name/likeness and crowd releases:

Crowd Release Notice: Audience Privacy & Incidental Use Rules — Fourscore Business Law Filming audiences? Learn how a crowd release notice, incidental use defense, and right-of-publicity rules keep you safe from privacy claims.

My latest blog article. This one on "recoupable expenses."

Understanding Recoupable Expenses in Distribution Agreements By: Murray A. Roth, Jr., Esq.7/1/25For Indie filmmakers, landing a distribution deal can feel like crossing the finish line. But before you sign on the dotted line, it’s crucial to understand the many elements and details of a film distribution agreement. Besides such important things as the term,...

Important to know the rules when using child/teen actors. Check out my latest blog article on the topic:

What Filmmakers Need to Know About Employing Child Actors By: Murray A. Roth, Jr., Esq.6/3/25Casting children in your indie film is a great method of adding authenticity and emotional depth to your creation. But it also brings legal responsibilities. Special rules and protections exist to safeguard minors working in the entertainment industry, and a failur...

SAG/AFTRA has set up a new portal for producers to file all of the required union paperwork. This is supposed to make filing of the substantial SAG contracts, employment docs, cast lists, timesheets, etc. much easier.

SAG-AFTRA Launches Its Own Producer Portal to Make Dealing with Union Paperwork a Lot Easier SAG-AFTRA partnered with the PGA to launch an online producer portal to make the signatory process for productions easier.

Article on purchasing 'Life Story Rights' by attorney, Domenic Romano, Esq.

Life Rights Agreements – What You Need To Know - Romano Law   You are a creative person who has found out about someone with a compelling story and you’d like to develop a book, TV show or film based on his or her life. But in the middle of your excitement and creative rush, it hits you: “Maybe I need to get permission first… but how?”

Some info on LLCs.

LLC vs. Sole proprietorship — which should you choose? Here's how to decide between these two common business structures.

CHAIN OF TITLE - In my latest blog post, I break down exactly what is "Chain of Title" and list the necessary documents needed (and why) to satisfy distributors, sales agents, financiers and others.

https://www.murrayroth.com/post/what-is-chain-of-title-and-why-every-indie-filmmaker-should-know