The journey from a great idea to a produced film or television project is filled with important legal and business considerations. This webinar provides creators with a practical introduction to the development process, covering option agreements, shopping agreements, producer attachments, representation, chain of title, rights issues, and other key concepts every writer and filmmaker should understand. Attendees will leave with a stronger understanding of how to protect their work and navigate the business of film and television development.
About the Speakers
April M. Paredes, Esq.
April is the co-owner and principal attorney at Ascent Legal A.P.L.C., where she represents producers, artists, and content creators in navigating the business and legal sides of the entertainment industry. She regularly advises on licensing, production, and marketing agreements, she helps clients form and structure business entities and guides them through trademark and copyright registration ensuring their work and businesses are protected from the ground up. Her practice sits at the intersection of creativity and business, helping clients bring their projects to life with confidence. Prior to establishing her own practice, April gained significant experience at Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP, where she served as production counsel for Paramount Global’s Yellowstone franchise and worked on Apple’s original film Tetris. She also represented independent studios in development deals, negotiating and drafting agreements covering talent, vendors, locations, and intellectual property, while overseeing rights acquisitions for adaptations of books and scripts into film and television. April earned her JD from Georgetown Law and a Master’s in Communication Management from USC, blending rigorous legal training with insight into the evolving media landscape. She is passionate about championing creatives and entrepreneurs, helping them build sustainable businesses and navigate the complexities of today’s entertainment industry.
Stephanie Krause, Esq.
Stephanie’s legal practice focuses on entertainment, music, intellectual property, and technology transactions. Her clients include songwriters, music producers, artists and content creators. Within film and television, Stephanie works with individual producers and production companies, writers, directors, and entrepreneurs. Her experience spans both in-house and private practice, giving her a practical perspective on negotiating agreements that balance legal risk with business objectives. Stephanie enjoys helping creative professionals and innovative companies navigate the evolving legal landscape surrounding content creation, music industry transactions, intellectual property protection, film and television production, and AI-related matters. Prior to starting her firm, Stephanie worked at Yorn Levine, a leading entertainment law firm in Los Angeles. She was previously in-house counsel at Paramount Television Studios. Prior to law school, she worked in music (ASCAP) and digital media (EQAL). Stephanie earned her J.D. from the USC Gould School of Law and her undergraduate degree from New York University. She is licensed to practice law in California and Michigan.
