Murder Accusation in Doc

	Re: Murder Accusation in Doc by David Roth Weiss on May 26, 2009 at 4:14:49 am [Pat Ford] "Does relaying this information put me at risk? " How are you planning to "relay" that information? If you allege the crime in your doco and the information cannot be attributed to someone else as a matter of public record, you could very easily find yourself accused of slander. If someone has already gone public with the accusation, and you're reporting that, or if a member of the community makes the accusation in an on-camera interview that you conduct, you're most likely okay, although they could sue you anyway, simply because anyone can sue anyone for anything. David Roth Weiss Director/Editor David Weiss Productions, Inc. Los Angeles POST-PRODUCTION WITHOUT THE USUAL INSANITY ™ A forum host of Creative COW's Apple Final Cut Pro, Business & Marketing, and Indie Film & Documentary forums. Respond to this post   •   Return to posts index

	Re: Murder Accusation in Doc by David Roth Weiss on May 26, 2009 at 4:31:59 am [Pat Ford] "Though I understand what you say about never really being safe from a lawsuit. I guess that's what makes this country great. I guess. " But, the 1st amendment is very protective of journalists and documentarians, and rarely, if ever, does the other side prevail. It might cost a bundle to defend, but you probably won't lose. David Roth Weiss Director/Editor David Weiss Productions, Inc. Los Angeles POST-PRODUCTION WITHOUT THE USUAL INSANITY ™ A forum host of Creative COW's Apple Final Cut Pro, Business & Marketing, and Indie Film & Documentary forums. Respond to this post   •   Return to posts index

	Re: Murder Accusation in Doc by Rocco Forte on May 26, 2009 at 5:33:59 am Asking a lawyer would be the best thing to do here. One that specializes in this kind of thing. Good luck. Respond to this post   •   Return to posts index

	Re: Murder Accusation in Doc by Steve Wargo on May 28, 2009 at 5:27:21 am Quite frankly, I would get a really good pistol and a concealed carry permit. Unless you think a lawyer is going to come stand in front of you when the killer comes to your house to teach you a lesson. Allthough I've posted some really funny stuff on these forums, this isn't one of those times. Steve Wargo Tempe, Arizona It's a dry heat! Sony HDCAM F-900 & HDW-2000/1 deck 5 Final Cut (not quite PRO) systems Sony HVR-M25 HDV deck 2-Sony EX-1 HD . Respond to this post   •   Return to posts index

	Re: Murder Accusation in Doc by David Roth Weiss on May 26, 2009 at 4:12:11 pm [Rocco Forte] "Asking a lawyer would be the best thing to do here." Rocco, It would also be great to shoot every documentary on 35mm film with a Panavision camera, but that would be a waste of money, wouldn't it? Despite our country's love and admiration for them, lawyers are not gods, and there is no reason for independent documentary filmmakers to shell-out $350 an hour for advice every time they need answers. These laws are well documented, and it behooves every indie documentary filmmaker to research the answers, to ask those with experience, and to bone-up on the things they will need to know throughout their careers, because there's little enough money in documentaries as it is. While I'm not an attorney, nor do I play one on TV, I did produce and direct a "true crime" reality series, which required that everyone, from the lowliest researcher to the executive producer, become familiar with the very types of legal issues Pat asked about. It's was simply part of the normal course of business for the entire staff to become conversant in these matters, and it was not uncommon for new staff members to become quite expert in these matters in just a few days. The bottom line is, I'm not suggesting that lawyers have no place and that everyone should avoid them all the time. What I am saying, is that most legal questions that an indie documentary filmmaker might face during production can be addressed without paying a lawyer upfront. Later, before the film is broadcast or distributed, it will be vetted by high-priced lawyers anyway. So, if you've done your homework and asked enough questions, you'll get to that point with fewer dollars charged on your credit card. David Roth Weiss Director/Editor David Weiss Productions, Inc. Los Angeles POST-PRODUCTION WITHOUT THE USUAL INSANITY ™ A forum host of Creative COW's Apple Final Cut Pro, Business & Marketing, and Indie Film & Documentary forums. Respond to this post   •   Return to posts index