What goes into making a nonfiction project work beyond the story itself? In this four-part series, Beyond the Frame: Practical Tools for the Emerging Storyteller, we’ll explore some of the essentials of documentary filmmaking, from archival, clearances, and navigating generative AI to crowdfunding, audience development, and building a sustainable independent creative practice - offering practical guidance for navigating the evolving landscape of nonfiction storytelling.

With cameras now capturing more of everyday life than ever, and seemingly endless content at our fingertips, it’s increasingly difficult to distinguish between what’s yours to use and what requires permission. From footage found online to music playing in the background, artwork on a wall, or a photograph captured in a documentary participant’s home, rights issues can be hiding in almost every frame.

Yet, more than 50% of the time, filmmakers don’t bring in archival and clearance expertise until it’s too late — quietly putting budgets, timelines, and distribution at risk. In this workshop, veteran Archival & Clearance Producer Teddy Cannon pulls back the curtain on one of the most overlooked pillars of nonfiction production.

Topics covered include:

— How to integrate clearance thinking from day one — not as a final step

— What E&O insurance actually requires and how to prepare for it

— Fair use in documentary: what it covers and where it ends

— How to clear footage, music, life rights, and third-party IP

— When you need a legal opinion letter — and when you don’t

FACILITATOR BIO

VC member Teddy Cannon is an Archival & Clearance Producer and the founder of Crux Entertainment, Inc., a Los Angeles-based company providing full-service Archival, Clearance, and Legal for documentary, unscripted, true crime, sports, and commercial film and television. With 25+ years of experience and 60+ credits across Netflix, Hulu, Starz, Peacock, CBS, NBC, Hallmark, Paramount+, Amazon Studios, Showtime, and Nike/The Springhill Co., he has built a reputation as one of the most trusted clearance producers in nonfiction television. He speaks regularly at FootageFest and FOCAL International, was featured on the Documentary First podcast (Episode 277), and is a member of the APA, IDA, DPA, AMIA, and The D-Word.

⭐ Registration is FREE as a perk for VC Gold members. Interested in attending more than one workshop? Essential and non-members will receive a 15% discount after RSVPing for your first session.