Legal services firm JMW Solicitors is helping a small, independent Harrogate-based film company get a project funded by donations from members of the public off the ground.

The group are half way to reaching the full funding target for the project – WWI drama ‘Stalemate’ – and have appointed the law firm to give the project a solid legal basis.

As well as advising on the funding arrangements for the project, JMW is giving guidance on location contracts, employment contracts for crew and talent as well as distribution deals.

The project has secured funding through international crowd-funding website Indiegogo.com, which gives artists and entrepreneurs access to a large audience of potential funders who can choose to donate to the project in exchange for perks such as a copy of finished work, a set visit or an executive producer credit.

Intellectual Property partner at JMW, said: “Crowdfunding, which began as an interesting experiment in alternative ways to get projects off the ground, has grown in popularity and developed into a viable funding source for all kinds of small enterprises.

“The passion Ben Kay-Coles and his team have for this project has helped them achieve a significant level of financial support already.

“However a project is funded, though, it’s vital for any creative venture with many contributors to be underpinned by sound legal agreements, and this is something that can make or break low-budget film productions such as this.

“With the legal elements in order, I’m confident the team will deliver an excellent film that will be enjoyed not only by contributors to the project but also a wider audience of independent film fans.”

Ben Kay-Coles, the director, writer and producer of Stalemate, said: “We’re grateful to everyone who has contributed to help us get Stalemate made and we look forward to finishing it so that they can enjoy the results of their generous support.

“The advice we received from JMW has been invaluable in putting the project on a firm legal footing from the outset.”

The film will star former Brother Beyond member Nathan Moore and revolves around a chess match played between a British and a German soldier on Christmas day in 1914, the day that opposing sides left the trenches and played a game of football against each other in no-man’s land.

ENDS

For more information:

Peter Lappin

Citypress

0161 235 0328

07540 047 834

Samantha Meakin

0161 828 1981

07595 277 842

samantha.meakin@jmw.co.uk