VISUAL and MEDIA ARTS WORKSHOPS
(As of 7/31/09)
GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN ENTERTAINMENT LAW BASICS FOR MEDIA MAKERS
Twelve graduate credits (four courses). This program will be offered beginning in Spring 2010. Contact Professional Studies for more information. 617.824.8280
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
This comprehensive series of courses offers media makers--both beginners and those with experience--a comprehensive overview of entertainment law and three detailed courses on the three C's of legal self-protection in the entertainment industry: contracts, copyrights, and clearances. No media maker should turn on a camera or lay down a soundtrack without knowledge of these critically important areas of entertainment law. Students will earn a 12-credit graduate certificate in Entertainment Law Basics for Media Makers and gain essential knowledge about the critical aspects of entertainment law and their practical application to media making.
*To participate in this program, you must provide evidence of having completed a bachelor's degree program. Participation in and completion of graduate certificate programs in Visual and Media Arts are separate from admission to degree programs at Emerson College.
COURSES
VMCE610 A Short History of Entertainment Law (course 1) 3 graduate credits
This course provides a broad background in the key areas in entertainment law, including issues of free speech, rights of privacy and publicity, and the development of intellectual property law in the United States. Students will explore how the law has changed over time, with special attention given to key concepts and cases, and current issues in the legal community that may have an impact on media makers.
VMCE611 Contracts for Media Makers (course 2) 3 graduate credits
This course covers contracts for the media maker's own employment, loan out companies, crew deal memos, location contracts, option/purchase agreements, writer contracts, actor deal memos, and long form contracts, and others. Students will learn what to look for in contracts and what to avoid.
VMCE612 Copyright for Media Makers (course 3) 3 graduate credits
Copyright is the basic protection that allows media makers to benefit from their work. This course will cover the history and basics of copyright law. Media makers will learn what may and may not be placed in copyright; the procedures for registering their creative work with the Copyright Office in Washington, D.C.; how copyright is enforced; and how it is transferred. Media makers will also learn about alternatives to copyright such as Creative Commons.
VMCE613 Clearances for Media Makers (course 4) 3 graduate credits
Media makers must often rely on the copyrighted work of others--film and video footage, images, music--in their own work. In this class, participants will learn what rights need to be cleared and how to obtain those clearances. The course will also cover the issue of "fair use" and when it may apply to works that you create.
TUITION AND PAYMENTS
Tuition and applicable fees are due upon registration for all Visual and Media Arts courses, workshops and certificate programs offered through the Department of Professional Studies and Special Programs. Tuition is calculated per course and individuals must pay tuition in full prior to participating in the courses of their choice.
Participants may incur additional course-related expenses. Such additional expenses are separate from tuition costs and payments.
Emerson College reserves the right to change any provision of its programs and courses at any time. The College specifically reserves the right to change its tuition rates and any other financial charges. The College also reserves the right to rearrange its courses and class hours, to drop courses for which registration falls below the minimum enrollment, and to change instructor assignments.
