**No-Budget Filmmaking Podcast - Episode #3: Contracts with "Vinnie Mancini"**

**Host:** Dan Miller **Guest:** Vinnie Mancini (Fictional Entertainment Attorney from New Jersey)

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### Episode Summary: In this unique and fun episode of *No-Budget Filmmaking*, host Dan Miller takes an entertaining yet educational dive into the world of contracts with his fictional character, Vinnie Mancini. Vinnie is a hard-talking, no-nonsense "entertainment attorney" from New Jersey who offers essential contract advice to no-budget filmmakers. Together, they discuss the ins and outs of legal agreements in filmmaking, touching on everything from distribution deals to back-end points and performer agreements. Whether you’re just starting or deep into your indie film journey, this episode is packed with practical tips to protect your project legally.

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### Subjects:

– Welcome to the Show: Introduction to today’s topic: contracts for no-budget filmmakers. – Meet Vinny Mancini: Dan introduces his fictional guest and explains the purpose of using a character for education and entertainment. – Why Contracts Matter: Vinnie explains the importance of contracts in independent filmmaking and why a simple template might not always be enough. – FilmTracks.com: Using online resources for basic contracts and when to get an attorney involved. – Common Filmmaker Mistakes: Vinnie dives into common mistakes filmmakers make when it comes to contracts. – The Danger of Verbal Agreements: Dan and Vinnie discuss the famous *Gone Girl* case, where a location dispute turned into a lawsuit. – Distribution Deals: How to protect your film when negotiating with distributors. – Back-End Points and Profit Sharing: A deep dive into how back-end points work, including a look at the Peter Jackson and *Lord of the Rings* legal case. – Performer Agreements: Vinnie lays out the must-have clauses in every actor's contract. – Intimate Scenes and Consent: A discussion on legal and ethical obligations for filming intimate scenes, featuring the Maria Schneider case from *Last Tango in Paris*. – Crew Agreements and Safety: Essential tips for working with crew members and the tragic *Midnight Rider* case highlighting the importance of safety on set. – Final Thoughts: Wrapping up with key takeaways for no-budget filmmakers. ---

### Key Points:

- **Always Get It in Writing:** Contracts are essential, even on no-budget films. Don’t rely on verbal agreements. - **Template Contracts vs. Custom Contracts:** Template contracts can be useful, but custom contracts are crucial when more money or rights are involved. - **Back-End Deals Can Be Tricky:** If you're offering cast or crew a percentage of profits, make sure the terms are crystal clear. - **Performer Agreements:** Make sure you own the rights to their performance and get explicit consent for intimate scenes. - **Crew Agreements:** Include work-for-hire clauses and clarify payment, job duties, and safety responsibilities. - **Distribution Deals:** Protect yourself from sneaky language that could tie up your film's rights for years. - **Safety on Set:** The *Midnight Rider* case is a stark reminder of why crew safety should never be compromised.

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### Guest Bio: **Vinnie Mancini** is a fictional character created by Dan Miller for the *No-Budget Filmmaking Podcast*. While Vinnie is not a real attorney, his advice is based on real-life legal issues that affect filmmakers, presented in a fun, engaging way.

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