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Entertainment Industry

Who else is interested?

I AM!!!!!!!! I just graduated in DEC with a PR degree. My dream is to be a publicist.

I plan on going to law school to be an entertainment lawyer. In turn, I will do a lot of agent work after law school.

I want to be an entertainment lawyer too, but I want to specialize in music I think... contracts and intellectual property...

Glitter650, I tried to send you a PM and your box is full! :eek:

I want to specialize in the music part as well! :D

I have always wanted to work in the entertainment business! Maybe a career as a Casting agent in the movie industry would be very interesting but I have a degree in Finance:confused:

~TCV
--How does one begin the process? I guess you have to KNOW people in the industry?

I want to write/produce for film and TV one day. :)

Quote:

Originally posted by TCV

~TCV
--How does one begin the process? I guess you have to KNOW people in the industry?

It really depends on what you want to do and what area of entertainment...... but I'd say the first step is moving to New York or LA.... but yeah to be a procucer you can start out as a production assistant ... if you want to be a director it's probably easier to start out at a smaller cable station or something or an assistant and get some credits worked up... really the trick is to get in ANYWHERE then let it be known what you really want... you will get there... I have met lots of people (especially in TV/radio) who started out as one thing and jsut kept moving into different things until they ended up where they are now...

Always wanted to be a concert promoter. Did some in college, but nothing heavy.

If you want to work in casting you first need to work as an unpaid intern for a casting director. Then, once you have experience you can apply for jobs as a casting assistant. Once your reputation is known in the casting world you start to get offers to work as a casting director.

I do a TINY bit of entertainment work in my law practice, but am not drawn to it as others are. It is a very competitive field. Good luck to those who want to participate.

Having grown up in the heart of the Entertainment Industry I have no desire to be involved in what goes on. Be aware that it is not a nice place.

Quote:

Originally posted by Glitter650
I want to be an entertainment lawyer too, but I want to specialize in music I think... contracts and intellectual property...

Well...I'm not sure how if this rule pertains to the entertainment industry, but I know that a lot of Law Schools require you to have a BS or technical degree before you are allowed to pursue an area of intellectual property...which I think a lot of schools group with Copyright and Patent law...please correct me if I am wrong.

Yeah, I have had some informational interviews with some television people in Chicago (which of course, is nothing like LA or NY) and they've all said similar things in terms of advice on how to get into a job in the media:

It takes a lot of hard work and luck to make it...but you arent going to get your foot in the door unless you know someone

A girl that I worked a temp assignment with is interviewing at the Oprah show later this month for a production position becuase she knows someone who works in the studio there.

She met the "contact" after she interned for the Howard Stern show. She got the Howard Stern internship after she interned for Jerry Springer...

So I also guess that interning is almost a necessity now too! Its definitly a way to meet people and network...and networking is a skill that greeks should have down cold!

Well all law schools require you to have bachelors degree... but I'm doing my apps now and haven't run into anything saying that you must specifically have a BS or BA in order to study a particular area of law....

IP and Patent Law

It is not the law schools that have requirements for Patent Law, it is the Patent Bar. If you want to practice Patent Law you have to take and pass the Patent Bar. In order to take and pass the Patent Bar you have to either have a BS degree or you have to have taken certain science classes. Here is a link to the US Patent and Trademark Office.

A lot of firms require you to be a member of the Patent Bar to work in their IP departments.

Regarding having a Bachelor's Degree: In California you don't have to have a Bachelor's in order to take the bar. California Business & Professions Code Section 6060 provides that

Quote:

Before beginning the study of law, have done either of the following:

(1) Completed at least two years of college work, which college work shall be not less than one-half of the collegiate work acceptable for a bachelor's degree granted upon the basis of a four-year period of study by a college or university approved by the examining committee.

(2) Have attained in apparent intellectual ability the equivalent of at least two years of the college work by taking any examinations in such subject matters and achieving the scores thereon as are prescribed by the examining committee.

But then again, you don't even have to go to law school. B&P Section 6060 goes on to provide that you can sit for the bar if you have done one of the following:

Quote:

(1) Graduated from a law school accredited by the examining committee or approved by the American Bar Association requiring substantially the full time of its students for three years.

(2) Graduated from a law school accredited by the examining committee or approved by the American Bar Association requiring a part only of its students' time for four years.

(3) Studied law diligently and in good faith for at least four years in any of the following manners:

(i) In a law school that is authorized or approved to confer professional degrees and requires classroom attendance of its students for a minimum of 270 hours a year. A person who has received his or her legal education in a foreign state or country wherein the common law of England does not constitute the basis of jurisprudence shall demonstrate to the satisfaction of the examining committee that his or her education, experience, and qualifications qualify him or her to take the examination.

(ii) In a law office in this state and under the personal supervision of a member of the State Bar of California who is, and for at least five years last past continuously has been, engaged in the active practice of law. It is the duty of the supervising attorney to render any periodic reports to the examining committee as the committee may require.

(iii) In the chambers and under the personal supervision of a judge of a court of record of this state. It is the duty of the supervising judge to render any periodic reports to the examining committee as the committee may require.

(iv) By instruction in law from a correspondence law school authorized or approved to confer professional degrees by this state, which requires 864 hours of preparation and study per year for four years.

(v) By any combination of the methods referred to in paragraph (3) of this subdivision.

Edited b/c I can't seem to write anymore.

Re: IP and Patent Law

Quote:

Originally posted by bruinaphi
It is not the law schools that have requirements for Patent Law, it is the Patent Bar. If you want to practice Patent Law you have to take and pass the Patent Bar. In order to take and pass the Patent Bar you have to either have a BS degree or you have to have taken certain science classes. Here is a link to the US Patent and Trademark Office.

Thanks for that info bruinaphi! That explanation makes sense.

So is entertainment law, in the sense of intellectual propery, totally different form Patent Laws?

For the most part yes. It really depends upon what you want to do. It really goes firm by firm and depends on whether they do patent work and who they are willing to hire.

If you are able to take the Patent Bar it is a good idea b/c it makes you super marketable out of law school.

I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in mass communication, which is a technical degree, so as far as being able to represent those for the arts intellectual property, am I good to go?

Quote:

Originally posted by ztawinthropgirl
I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in mass communication, which is a technical degree, so as far as being able to represent those for the arts intellectual property, am I good to go?

No.

-Rudey
--Have you looked into being a fast-food chef?

Future entertainment publicist here.

Quote:

Originally posted by AXJules
Future entertainment publicist here.

So like sex in public or what?

-Rudey
--I'm suave

Quote:

Originally posted by Rudey
So like sex in public or what?

-Rudey
--I'm suave

Well no I was being serious.....

but....

ok you've changed my mind.
Sex in public it is.

Quote:

Originally posted by AXJules
Well no I was being serious.....

but....

ok you've changed my mind.
Sex in public it is.

High five!

-Rudey

I want to work in movie or TV production... or be a screenwriter... or be an actress... I'm assessing my options.

I have a background in Legitimate Theatre as an actor, also I have one script (almost) finished (computer decided to break down as I was putting the last touches on it. I'll probably just start all over) and more on the way. I want to be involved in movies as an Actor/Director/Writer/Producer. I'm a quadruple threat! I plan to start my own production company. I do have one question though: are business cards suitible for people like me or should I just get my resume to as many people as posible?

Quote:

That's no where near a technical degree. Off the top of my head I can't think of any BA's that would be a "technical" degree.

A technical degree is something in an area of science, engineering, and the like. Communications isn't technical.

You don't really need to pass the patent bar to practice IP law. You only need to have passed the patent bar if you want to be able to appear before the patent approval people (forget the name). Most people don't now the difference between patent law and IP law.

Honestly, undergrad degrees have about zilch to do with what you learn and do in law school, with the exception of people who want to practice patent. Even then, you don't really use that knowledge in your classes.

I think if you really want to work with patents that the technical degree is necessary... but if you just want to work with copy rights, which is generally what entertainment: songs, scripts, etc... are, then you're fine with like a Mass Comm. degree... maybe not as desireable/versatile as someone who knows patents... ( and alot of firms do deal with both types of IP) BUT if you don't want to work with patents anyway.. (which I don't) it's not a big deal. I definitely could be wrong on this and I am visiting UC Hastings law school tomorrow and I will try and find out what the deal is with this because this is something I've never heard before and I have received PLENTY of advising about how to try and get the job I want to have eventually and have never heard "you need a technical degree" but that doesn't mean that it's not true... so I am just a little confused...

Quote:

Originally posted by Optimist Prime
I have a background in Legitimate Theatre as an actor, also I have one script (almost) finished (computer decided to break down as I was putting the last touches on it. I'll probably just start all over) and more on the way. I want to be involved in movies as an Actor/Director/Writer/Producer. I'm a quadruple threat! I plan to start my own production company. I do have one question though: are business cards suitible for people like me or should I just get my resume to as many people as posible?

The whole idea of this industry is oversaturation. Send that resume EVERYWHERE you can. Even if they're not hiring, do it anyway. I would suggest "contact" cards....they're similar to business cards but list your training and what you hope to be-
For example:
Optimist Prime
555.555.5555
email@email.com

8 years LT exp.
(school degree if applicable)
looking to work in screenwriting-directing-producing

Among doing all that, you just need to network. You might have really great talent but until you work as an intern/unpaid assistant etc. it's hard to get your foot in the door. After you are doing shit jobs (or possibly learning something) you might meet someone looking for XXX....then you go do that and meet someone else who is willing to use you for screenwriting....see?

I'm starting a company. Who's in?

What kind of company? A film production company?

Quote:

Originally posted by MeLikey
What kind of company? A film production company?

Yes. :)

I'll do your advertising/media relations. :D

Quote:

Originally posted by AXJules
I'll do your advertising/media relations. :D

:D awesome you are head of PR

Sure, I'm in. I'll be.....in the movie. :D

im graduating in april with a BS in Communications (broadcasting) and a minor in Photography. i interned for a radio station in the promotions department, which led me to meet an on air personality who used to work for a tv station...so he gave a good word and got me a position at WJXT Channel 4 (#1 local station in america)!!! right now i just shoot the morning show and eyewitness news...but im hoping to work my way up the ladder and eventually become a director :-)

GeorginaDG63- that's awesome- Congrats!

I am in the middle part of writing a screenplay called (working title) When the Trumpet Sounds .. a supernatural thriller.

I have thew financing already set up and am in the process of creating a production company called Bad Son International Films.

And thats the next 9 months of my life in a nut shell . . . if you are reasonably close and are interested, contact me.

I just read through this thread. I'm going to college in September to get my diploma as a law clerk (very similar to a paralegal). But I too am interested in Entertainment law. I'm doing this first because I don't want spend all that time and money going to law school to find out I hate law.

But one thing I noticed was it seems that you need a degree in order to apply to law school in the U.S. here all you need is 2 years of study at the undergrad level (any discipline) and of course pass the LSATs to apply for law school.