Clearance Specialist

The Walt Disney Company•Burbank, CA

10d•$65,300 - $87,500•Onsite

About The Position

This role sits out of our Burbank offices, and this person will be required to be on-site 4 days/ week About the Role & Team: The Studio Clearances team handles many aspects of legal clearances, including those related to production, marketing and distribution of films and other content released theatrically and via our streaming platforms. Clearance Specialists read and analyze scripts and research reports to identify potential clearance issues and ensure appropriate clearance of names and places, dialogue, artwork, props, costumes, photographs, film/TV clips, mock-up designs, and building/architectural designs. They negotiate agreements with outside parties controlling rights to artwork, photography, footage, and other proprietary material used in studio content. The team advises content production staff (e.g., producers, writers, art departments, set decorators, prop masters, costumers, editors, visual effects, animators) of clearance procedures. In connection therewith, they also review dailies, rough and final cuts of films, websites, bonus content, behind the scenes/EPK materials, interviews, bloopers, deleted scenes, trailers, TV spots and other marketing materials, commercial tie-ins, print ads, DVD menus and packaging materials.

Requirements

At least two (2) years of experience in a scripted entertainment (e.g., major film/TV production entity) clearance position.
Knowledge of copyright, trademark, right of publicity, and other legal concepts sufficient to identify and communicate issues.
Strong critical thinking skills

Responsibilities

Track and handle all requests for use of graphics/artwork/photographs/props/set dressing/wardrobe/stills/footage/fonts/other throughout preproduction/production/post production
Facilitate research and analysis of scripted (or non-scripted) character/business names, quotations, phone numbers/addresses, etc.
Perform independent research.
Analyze proposed character, costume, art and graphic designs.
Elevate for additional intellectual property review as needed.
Consult, as needed, with IP and Production counsel in connection with copyright, trademark, right of publicity, and contractual matters.
Draft and distribute clearance checklists, instructions, and status to ensure that changes are made in scripts, props/set dressing/wardrobe, VFX, and screening cuts.
Draft and transmit releases/correspondence for outside individuals/entities for use of clips, stills, artwork, and other like items.
Watch dailies to ensure production’s compliance with clearance protocol.
Review motion picture advertising, publicity, and promotional trailers, TV/radio spots, and print material to ensure compliance with clearance guidelines.
Prepare and distribute marketing restriction memos.