Coordinator, Script Clearance

Job Description

The Script Clearance Department is a division of the Intellectual Property Department within the SPE Legal Department. The Department identifies and resolves all legal script clearance issues for SPE's film, television and virtual reality productions as mandated by the company's E&O insurance policy and to prevent legal claims and litigation.

The Coordinator works closely with the Analysts to fulfill all of production's clearance needs. Coordinators maintain active communication with crew members on multiple projects from pre-production to the project's completion. The Coordinator will be responsible for drafting clearance request letters on behalf of our productions, updating and distributing Script Clearance reports using our internal SCRY reporting system: logging new scripts as they are received; scheduling film screenings; assisting our Research Department with minor research; and executing payments for licensed materials and talent. In addition, the Coordinator aids in the preparation of memos to producers and SPE executives. The Coordinator is expected to review and edit memos, request letter and legal Release forms and must have strong writing and editorial skills. All members of the Script Clearance team are expected to work collaboratively and the Coordinator must demonstrate good interpersonal skills. Additionally, the Coordinator must also thrive in a time-sensitive, fast-paced work environment as the Script Clearance Department is expected to answer our productions promptly and to follow-up on any outstanding clearance requests to ensure a quick turnaround. The Coordinator can expect to receive upwards of one hundred emails a day and must track and file all requests. Standard office responsibilities include: answering telephones, handling incoming mail and e-mail, filing legal documents, ordering department supplies, and coordinating meetings.

The Coordinator will report to multiple Script Clearance Analysts on various projects and must, provide administrative support to the department as a whole.

Responsibilities

Script Clearance Memos & Reports
• Assist with the preparation of initial script clearance report memos and prepare clearance report spreadsheets via our custom clearance report software, SCRY (Script Clearance Report Yielder). The initial report identifies every legal issue in a script. Each issue must be put into its corresponding categories (as a costume, prop, set dressing, etc.) with its status identified (''Not Clear'', ''Permissible'', ''Cleared'').
• Add new legal issues to the SCRY report, upload reference images of the items in question, and update the status of these items as clearance request letters are sent and responses or Releases are received.
• Generate and send weekly SCRY status reports to the respective feature film productions as well as internal distribution lists on each project.
• Assist in the preparation of memos regarding script revisions and/or updates in the legal status of pending items along with the television production status report.
• Maintain files for the project including cataloging correspondence and requests.

Script Clearance Requests
• Compose permission request letters, ''thank you'' letters and legal Releases.
• Submit the request to our Research Department and ensure that the Analyst has the information in a timely manner. Aid in low level research.
• When a signed Release or letter of permission is received, Coordinator will first review for any revisions or deletions, notify the Analyst, record the response in the SCRY report and copy the correspondence to Legal Files.

Internal/External Communications
• Handle incoming phone calls and assisting analysts with follow-up calls to check up on ''pending'' items.
• Route incoming mail and faxes to the appropriate Analyst, which often involves attaching response documents (such as release forms and agreements) to the previous correspondence on file (such as request letters and e-mails).
• Maintain a log of scripts and script pages received by the department and routing these to the appropriate analyst. This position also requires checking the script repository on the Sony intranet on a daily basis and printing out postings of any new scripts and revision pages.
• Schedule meetings, departmental screenings and otherwise coordinating calendars.
• Order various office-related supplies.

Payment of Talent and Licenses
• Process departmental billing/invoices (including license fee payments, expense reports, research services and other miscellaneous payments).
• Interact on behalf of the department with other divisions of the studio (such as Accounting, Design, Facilities, I.T., Marketing, Post-Production, etc.).
• Dailies, DVD Behind-the-Scenes Footage, Deleted Scenes, Advertising Materials, Marketing & Merchandise Material
• Assist on an ''as needed'' basis with reviewing dailies, DVD, advertising, publicity and merchandising materials.

Training
• Members of the department attend weekly department meetings and pertinent MCLE lectures to remain conversant in the latest entertainment case law related to the department, as well as keeping abreast of newspaper, magazine and internet articles about clearance issues. The Script Clearance Coordinator is generally expected to bring up questions and raise issues at our weekly meetings to further their learning experience in the department.

Requirements:
• 1 to 2 years of office experience
• Bachelor's degree preferred
• Must work effectively and thrive in a team environment. Good interpersonal skills are required.
• Must enjoy working in a fast paced, dynamic environment.
• Must be a self-motivated detail-oriented individual.
• Position requires excellent communication skills (written and verbal) as well as an understanding of discretion as the Coordinator will be privy to confidential materials.
• Position requires strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize work when given a high volume of responsibility.
• High school graduate or equivalent (college degree preferred), with previous legal, contracts and/or motion picture/TV production experience.
• This position requires strong computer skills (MS Word, Excel and Power Point) with fast, accurate typing and excellent proofreading skills.

The anticipated base salary for this position is $50,000 - $65,000. This role may also qualify for annual incentive and/or comprehensive benefits. The actual base salary offered will depend on a variety of factors, including without limitation, the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and if applicable, the location of the position.

Sony Pictures Entertainment is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other protected characteristics.

To request an accommodation for purposes of participating in the hiring process, you may contact us at SPE_Accommodation_Assistance@spe.sony.com.

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-g37e69-18-219-105-30-42 in your application.