Digital Filmmaking

Resources For Filmmakers

August 17, 2009 Recently, I learned from a person who read my last blog, “Clearances and Copyrights,” that there is a non-profit organization in the Washington, D.C. area that offers filmmakers valuable information and support for little money, and in some cases, pro bono. Also, after researching the Internet, I found an equivalent organization in the Boston area, too.

The organization in Washington, D.C. is called Washington Area Lawyers for the Arts, (WALA) and in Boston, the Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts of Massachusetts, Inc.(VLAMA).

Washington Area Lawyers for the Arts (WALA).

WALA is located in Washington, D.C. and has served the legal needs of Washington, Maryland and Virginia artists since 1983 along with cultural communities. WALA provides education, advocacy and volunteer legal services through workshops and seminars, free legal clinics for artists and arts organizations and pro bono legal referral services.

Over 350 top Washington lawyers volunteer in the WALA legal services program. Their funding comes partly from the D.C. Commission of the Arts & Humanities, an agency supported in part by the National Endowment.  Memberships for WALA are relatively low in exchange for the services artists recieve and you can apply on line: Artists- $35; Full-time Students- $20. For more information please go to: http://www.thewala.org
 
Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts of Massachusetts, Inc. (VLA)

VLA is a program of the Arts and Business Council of Greater Boston, established to give legal advice to the artistic community of Boston. It was incorporated in September 1989 by the Boston Bar Association, Artists Foundation and the City of Boston’s Office of Cultural Affairs. VLA provides a legal referral program, seminars, and workshops to artists and arts organizations from all creative disciplines, which includes film and video.

Over 400 attorneys are available to provide free or low cost legal assistance for art-related issues. Their services include contracts, copyright and trademark, first amendment, tax and non-profit, estate planning, landlord-tenant disputes, non-profit corporation, employment, and much more.
Members also have access to accountants and CPAs in areas such as personal taxes and non-profit audits. Members and arts organizations receive a number of benefits that include discounted admission to the seminars and workshops, reduced application fees for programs, email notification of upcoming events and opportunities to market show openings and exhibitions on the new VLA website.
Memberships for VLA are also low, especially considering what a member receives in return and can apply online: Individuals- $25; Students- $15. For more information please go to: http://www.vlama.org/

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