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Legal Primer for the Entertainment Business

legal-primer-for-the-entertainment-business-mgmtx403-01
MGMT X 403.01

Explore key legal principles and contractual relationships within film and television. Develop a core understanding of subjects including idea protection, copyright, defamation, privacy, and the right of publicity.

Typically Available
Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Duration
As few as 11 weeks
Units
4.0
Current Formats
Online
In Person
Cost
Starting at $835.00

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What you can learn.

Engage with key issues in manager agreements and in standard film and television agreements
Understand independent film finance and distribution deals
Learn essential countermeasures to use when reviewing contracts/agreements

About This Course

This unique course explores key legal principles and contractual relationships within the film and television industry through a dynamic assortment of lectures and hands-on workshops. You develop a core understanding of subjects including idea protection, copyright, defamation, privacy and the right of publicity. In addition, you are exposed to key issues in manager agreements and in standard film and television agreements, including literary option/purchase agreements, life rights agreements, collaboration agreements and talent employment agreements. The course concludes with exploring independent film finance and distribution deals. Through learning some essential "countermeasures" to use when reviewing such contracts, you are empowered in a way usually only reserved for elite talent lawyers--and have a lot of fun in the process.

Winter 2026 Schedule

Date
Details
Format
 
-
This section has no set meeting times.
Instructor:
REG#
406458
Fee:
$835.00
Onlineformat icon
Updating...
Notes

Early enrollment advised. Internet access required. Materials required. 

Deadline
Refunds only available from November 03, 2025 to January 18, 2026
Course Requirements
Internet access required to retrieve course materials.
Dealmaking in the Film and Television Industry : From Negotiations to Final Contracts by Mark Litwak
(Optional) Hollywood Dealmaking: Negotiating Talent Agreements by Dina Appleton and Daniel Yankelevits
(Optional) Making it on Broadway: Actors’ Tales of Climbing to the Top by David Wienir and Jodie Langel

Spring 2026 Schedule

Date
Details
Format
 
-
Monday 7:00PM - 10:00PM PT
REG#
407793
Fee:
$835.00
In Personformat icon
UCLA Extension Gayley Center in Westwood
Updating...
Notes

Early enrollment advised. Internet access required. Materials required. 1 make-up meeting TBA

Deadline
Refunds only available from February 02, 2026 to April 12, 2026
Schedule
Type
Date
Time
Location
Lecture
Mon Mar 30, 2026
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Gayley Center in Westwood
UCLA Extension Gayley Center
Lecture
Mon Apr 6, 2026
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Gayley Center in Westwood
UCLA Extension Gayley Center
Lecture
Mon Apr 13, 2026
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Gayley Center in Westwood
UCLA Extension Gayley Center
Lecture
Mon Apr 20, 2026
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Gayley Center in Westwood
UCLA Extension Gayley Center
Lecture
Mon Apr 27, 2026
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Gayley Center in Westwood
UCLA Extension Gayley Center
Lecture
Mon May 4, 2026
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Gayley Center in Westwood
UCLA Extension Gayley Center
Lecture
Mon May 11, 2026
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Gayley Center in Westwood
UCLA Extension Gayley Center
Lecture
Mon May 18, 2026
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Gayley Center in Westwood
UCLA Extension Gayley Center
Lecture
Mon May 25, 2026
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Gayley Center in Westwood
UCLA Extension Gayley Center
Lecture
Mon Jun 1, 2026
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Gayley Center in Westwood
UCLA Extension Gayley Center
Lecture
Mon Jun 8, 2026
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Gayley Center in Westwood
UCLA Extension Gayley Center
-
This section has no set meeting times.
Instructor:
REG#
407794
Fee:
$835.00
Onlineformat icon
Updating...
Notes

Early enrollment advised. Internet access required. Materials required. 

Deadline
Refunds only available from February 02, 2026 to April 12, 2026
Course Requirements
Internet access required to retrieve course materials.
Dealmaking in the Film and Television Industry : From Negotiations to Final Contracts by Mark Litwak
(Optional) Hollywood Dealmaking: Negotiating Talent Agreements by Dina Appleton and Daniel Yankelevits
(Optional) Making it on Broadway: Actors’ Tales of Climbing to the Top by David Wienir and Jodie Langel

This course applies toward the following programs

certificate Filmmaking is a truly collaborative process. In this certificate, learn about key roles and related aspects of the entertainment industry – from producing to cinematography to directing. Gain a broad understanding of the business by exploring various areas of interest.

Filmmaking is a truly collaborative process. In this certificate, learn about key roles and related aspects of the entertainment industry – from producing to cinematography to directing. Gain a broad understanding of the business by exploring various areas of interest.