NYC Production Counsel

Production Counsel in New York City

Every production — whether a feature film, television series, commercial, music video, documentary, podcast, or photo shoot — is a legal minefield. Before a single frame is captured, there are permits to secure, locations to license, equipment to rent, crew and talent to contract, insurance to arrange, and intellectual property to clear. After the cameras stop rolling, post-production agreements, distribution deals, and delivery requirements create another layer of legal obligations. A single missed agreement or unsigned release can delay distribution, trigger costly reshoots, or expose the production to litigation.

At Agarunov Law Firm, P.C., we serve as production counsel for film, television, commercial, and content productions shooting in New York City and the tri-state area. We handle the legal infrastructure that supports every stage of production — from development and pre-production through principal photography, post-production, and distribution — so producers can focus on the creative work.

Pre-Production & Production Legal Services

Location Agreements

Filming on private property — a restaurant, rooftop, apartment, warehouse, or estate — requires a location agreement that grants the production permission to use the space, specifies dates, times, and permitted activities, addresses noise, equipment placement, and crew access, allocates liability and includes indemnification provisions, and covers property damage, restoration obligations, and security deposits. We draft and negotiate location agreements for productions of all sizes, from single-day commercial shoots to multi-week feature film locations. We also advise on NYC-specific requirements including neighbor notification and building management approvals.

Venue Rentals & Studio Agreements

Productions that rent studio space, soundstages, event venues, or other dedicated facilities need rental agreements that address usage terms, load-in and load-out schedules, equipment restrictions, overtime charges, cancellation policies, and liability allocation. We negotiate venue rental agreements that protect the production from unexpected costs and ensure clear terms for both parties.

Equipment Rental Agreements

Camera packages, lighting rigs, grip equipment, audio gear, drones, vehicles, and specialty equipment all require rental agreements with specific provisions for insurance requirements, damage responsibility, loss liability, rental periods, and extension terms. We review and negotiate equipment rental agreements and advise on the insurance certificates and riders that rental houses require.

NYC Film Permits & Regulatory Compliance

Filming in New York City requires permits from the Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME) for any production using more than handheld equipment on city property, asserting exclusive use of public space, using prop weapons or vehicles, or requiring parking privileges for production vehicles. We advise productions on permit requirements, coordinate with MOME and other city agencies (DOT, Parks, FDNY, NYPD Movie & TV Unit), and ensure regulatory compliance for street closures, special effects, drone operations, and filming in controlled locations.

Crew Agreements

Every crew member — from the director of photography and production designer to grips, gaffers, and production assistants — needs a written agreement covering compensation, work-for-hire provisions, credit obligations, confidentiality, and safety requirements. We draft crew deal memos and agreements for both union and non-union productions. For union productions, we advise on SAG-AFTRA, DGA, WGA, IATSE, and Teamsters compliance including signatory requirements, minimum rates, and working condition obligations.

Talent Agreements & Releases

Performers, on-camera subjects, interview participants, and background actors all require agreements or releases granting the production permission to use their name, image, likeness, and performance. We draft and negotiate talent agreements including performer contracts, appearance releases, crowd releases, and life rights agreements. For union talent, we ensure compliance with applicable guild requirements.

Production Insurance

Productions require multiple insurance coverages including commercial general liability (CGL), workers' compensation, automobile liability, equipment insurance, and — for distribution — Errors & Omissions (E&O) coverage. NYC film permits require a minimum $1,000,000 CGL policy. We advise on insurance requirements, review policies, coordinate certificates of insurance for locations and equipment rentals, and assist with E&O applications that require documentation of all rights clearances, intellectual property permissions, and signed releases.

Post-Production & Distribution

Post-Production Agreements

Editing, visual effects, sound design, color grading, and music scoring all involve third-party vendors and facilities that require contracts addressing deliverables, timelines, ownership of work product, payment schedules, and confidentiality. We draft and negotiate post-production service agreements, composer agreements for original scores, and music licensing agreements for sync placements.

Chain of Title

A clean chain of title — the documented trail proving the production owns or has licensed all necessary rights — is required for distribution and E&O insurance. We assemble and review chain of title documentation including option agreements, screenplay purchase agreements, life rights agreements, music licenses, talent contracts, location releases, and all other rights clearances.

Distribution Agreements

Whether your project is headed to streaming platforms, broadcast television, theatrical release, or international markets, the distribution agreement defines how your content reaches audiences and how revenue flows back. We negotiate distribution deals, sales agent agreements, and platform licensing terms that protect your rights and maximize your return.

Who We Represent

• Film & TV Producers: Independent producers, production companies, and showrunners
• Commercial & Advertising Productions: Agencies, brands, and commercial production houses
• Photographers & Photo Studios: Commercial photographers, editorial shoots, and fashion productions
• Music Video Productions: Labels, artists, and directors producing music video content
• Podcast & Digital Content Producers: Podcast networks, YouTube creators, and digital content studios
• Documentary Filmmakers: Independent documentarians navigating rights, releases, and distribution

Serving New York and New Jersey

Agarunov Law Firm is licensed to practice in both New York and New Jersey. We represent artists, producers, content creators, and entertainment companies throughout the tri-state area including all five NYC boroughs, Long Island, and Northern New Jersey including Bergen County, Hudson County (Jersey City, Hoboken), and Essex County (Newark, Montclair).

New York City is the epicenter of music, media, and entertainment, and our Manhattan office provides convenient access for clients across the industry.