Compliance in Film Production in 2024

Compliance in film production means following various legal, safety, and financial rules to ensure everything goes smoothly and legally. Here are some key areas of compliance that filmmakers need to consider in 2024:

1. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Compliance

OSHA sets rules to keep workers safe on film sets. Compliance includes:

Regularly checking for hazards and evaluating risks on set.

Making sure all equipment, like heavy gear and electrical cords, is secure to prevent accidents.

Providing safety gear such as hard hats and steel-toe boots during construction phases.

Having a Safety Supervisor on set to oversee compliance with OSHA standards.

2. Securities and Financing Compliance

When raising money for film production, especially through private offerings, filmmakers must follow federal and state securities laws. This includes:

Using Regulation D exemptions to raise capital without full SEC registration.

Filing the necessary forms, like Form D, with the SEC within 15 days of the first sale of securities.

Complying with state-specific "blue sky laws" for each state where securities are offered.

3. Digital and Physical Security Compliance

Film production companies must protect their digital and physical assets from cyber threats and unauthorized access. This involves:

Using strong digital content security measures, like encryption and secure transfer systems.

Ensuring physical security on sets with controlled entry and exit points, surveillance, and secure storage of equipment.

Meeting MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America) standards for digital content security to prevent piracy and protect intellectual property.

4. Tax Incentives and Financial Reporting

To benefit from tax incentives, filmmakers must follow specific financial and reporting rules, including:

Spending part of the film’s budget within the region offering the tax incentives.

Hiring local talent and using local vendors.

Providing detailed financial reports and undergoing audits if necessary to verify expenses and adherence to the incentive requirements.

How Storyvord Can Help with Compliance

Storyvord assists filmmakers in navigating the complexities of compliance through the following services:

Safety Compliance: Helping producers implement OSHA standards to ensure a safe working environment on set.

Financial Compliance: Assisting with the preparation and filing of necessary forms for securities offerings and state-specific regulations.

Security Compliance: Offering guidance on digital and physical security measures to protect film assets.

Tax Incentive Compliance: Providing support in meeting the eligibility criteria for tax incentives, including detailed financial planning and reporting.

By leveraging Storyvord’s expertise, filmmakers can focus on their creative work while ensuring they meet all necessary compliance requirements.

For more detailed information, you can explore resources from Ameri Law, Beverly Boy Productions, and FilmDaily.tv.