Content Distribution & Sales Agency Agreements

Get Certified in Content Distribution & Sales Agency Agreements

Taught by Sean Pope, California Entertainment Attorney

A distribution agreement is a memorialization of the deal between the owner of distribution rights in a film or TV series (usually the producer or production company), and a company engaged in the business of marketing such works to users and purchasers (usually a distributor). Producers can leverage the involvement of talent to secure a distribution agreement, which can then be used to secure financing. Distribution agreements can also be used to attach top writing or acting talent to a film or TV project if made prior to production.

In this certification module, you’ll learn the basics of what a distribution agreement is and how it is used in the TV and film industry. The goal of this module is to help you become familiar with the structure, usage, and standard deal terms for this type of agreement. 

The course will cover:

• How to navigate and approach deals for your film’s actual distribution and exploitation
• Key provisions when negotiating your distribution and sales agreements
• Common pitfalls to avoid in distribution and sales agreements
• A distributor vs a sales agent
• When should a distributor or sales agent be engaged
• Where to find distributors and sales agents
• Granting of rights
• Different territories for distribution
• Length of distribution deals
• Minimum guarantees
• Marketing expenses
• Distribution fees
• What happens when money comes in (waterfalls)
• Audit and accounting rights
• Termination provisions
• Insurance
• Approval rights
• Security interests
• Delivery schedules
• Key Terms to Distribution Agreement handout

What is Individual Certification?

Individual Certification is a single course centered around one subject. Upon the completion of this course and passing a test you will receive a Stage 32 Certificate in this area of production. You can pause your course and go back to review. You will be tested and get three attempts to pass. If you do not pass you will need to re-enroll. Upon passing you will be listed in our database accessible by film productions that are looking for talent and a badge will be added to your Stage 32 profile.

About the Instructor

You will learn directly from California attorney Sean Pope, a senior associate at entertainment law firm, Ramo Law. The Ramo Law firm has produced and financed hundreds of TV and film projects. Sean works with producers and production companies focusing on all aspects of production legal services from development to distribution. He serves as counsel for Emmy award-winning companies Boardwalk Pictures (“Chef’s Table”) and Scout Productions (“Queer Eye”). He also represents production companies such as Caliwood Pictures (“A Nice Girl Like You”) and The Solution Entertainment Group (“Blacklight,” “Killerman”, “Line of Duty”, “Honest Thief”), and he recently provided representation on the 2022 Sundance films “The Exiles,” “Brainwashed,” “Descendent,” “Watcher” and “TikTok, Boom.”

(Payment plans available at checkout)

THIS COURSE IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE, NOR IS STAGE 32 OFFERING A LEGAL OPINION. THIS PRESENTATION HAS BEEN PREPARED FOR EDUCATIONAL AND INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. ONLY YOUR ATTORNEY CAN ADVISE YOU WHICH LAWS ARE APPLICABLE TO YOUR SPECIFIC CASE AND SITUATION. WHILE THE PRESENTER HAS USED REASONABLE EFFORTS TO INCLUDE ACCURATE AND UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION, THERE ARE NO WARRANTIES OR REPRESENTATIONS AS TO THE ACCURACY OF THE CONTENT AND ASSUMES NO LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY ERROR OR OMISSION IN THE CONTENT. THIS COURSE IS PRESENTED ON AN “AS IS” BASIS.”