01
Single-Project Production LLCs & Investor Waterfalls
Forming project-specific production companies, private placement disclosures, investor recoupment corridors (typically 110% to 120% prior to net-profit splits), and tax accounting.
Production, Rights & Deal Counsel for Film, Music & Media Creators.
Advising independent film producers, studios, recording artists, digital creators, and media investors on production LLCs, chain-of-title clearance, talent agreements, and distribution deals.
Multi-Unit Operations & Consumer ยท Lead Counsel: Matt Wozniak, JD / CPA, Reese Serra (P74482)
Sector FocusFilm, Media & Entertainment
Lead AttorneysMatt Wozniak, JD / CPA & Reese Serra (P74482)
Court VenuesOakland, Macomb, Wayne & Federal Courts
Headquarters125 E. 3rd St, Suite 100, Rochester, MI
Why do film and media projects require clean chain-of-title documentation before distribution?
Streaming platforms, theatrical distributors, and errors-and-omissions (E&O) insurers refuse to acquire or insure a motion picture or series unless the production entity holds unbroken written copyright assignments, work-made-for-hire agreements, music synchronization/master licenses, and life-rights or location releases for every creative contribution.
Core legal architecture for film, media & entertainment.
Structured entity isolation, commercial contract precision, tax alignment, and courtroom enforcement built for owners and executive teams.
Discuss This Mandate →
02
Chain-of-Title, Option/Purchase & Talent Contracts
Drafting screenplay option-purchase agreements, director/producer/cast deal memos, work-made-for-hire clauses, and music licensing clearances.
03
Distribution, Licensing & Royalty Audits
Negotiating domestic and international sales-agent and streaming licenses, gross-corridor definitions, expense caps, and auditing unpaid royalty statements.
Controlling statutory framework.
Every operating agreement, acquisition, lease, and litigation strategy is anchored to the Michigan and federal authorities governing film, media & entertainment.
Statutory & Regulatory Benchmark 01
U.S. Copyright Act Work-Made-for-Hire & Transfer Rules (17 U.S.C. 101, 204)
Statutory & Regulatory Benchmark 02
Federal & Michigan Securities Exemptions for Production Financing
Statutory & Regulatory Benchmark 03
Lanham Act & Michigan Right of Publicity Protections
Principal counsel & trial readiness.
Your matter is led directly by senior attorneys who combine entrepreneurial ownership experience, CPA tax fluency, and decades of Michigan courtroom advocacy.
Founding Attorney & Managing Member ยท Bar P74482Reese SerraSenior Litigation & Trial CounselBrian D. HarrisonAttorney & Certified Public Accountant (JD / CPA)Matt Wozniak
Production Office & Registered Agent Privacy
Keep producers' and talent home addresses off public corporate and copyright filings by anchoring production LLCs at our Suite 100 Rochester address.
Frequently asked questions: Film, Media & Entertainment
Direct answers to the structural, transactional, and litigation questions Michigan owners ask most often.
Why form a separate LLC for each film or documentary project?
A dedicated production SPV isolates on-set liabilities, investor recoupment accounting, and distributor encumbrances to that single title so other catalog projects remain completely unencumbered.
What is the biggest trap in 'net profits' definitions in distribution contracts?
Distributors often deduct uncapped marketing overhead, cross-collateralized slate losses, and distribution fees before 'net' begins. Negotiating defined expense caps and audit rights protects investor recoupment.
Does paying a composer or cinematographer automatically transfer copyright?
Never without a signed written agreement expressly stating the contribution is a work made for hire and assigning all worldwide rights in perpetuity under 17 U.S.C. 204(a).
Can Matt Wozniak assist with both entertainment contracts and production tax structuring?
Yes. As both a licensed attorney and CPA, Matt advises producers and talent on entity taxation, investor K-1 waterfalls, multistate production incentives, and contract negotiation under one roof.