What should a producer do with a script clearance report?

• A. Schedule a meeting with cast
• B. Rewrite the script
• C. Distribute the report to crew
• D. Hire a production attorney to review and advise on risks

Answer: (D)

A script clearance report flags potential legal issues in the screenplay that could derail production, so the producer’s response should involve proper legal interpretation and risk management. The best step is to bring in a production attorney to review the report, interpret the identified risks, and advise on how to mitigate them. An attorney can determine what licenses or releases are needed, what rights may need to be cleared (such as music, trademarks, location releases, and likeness rights), and what script changes or negotiations are required to make the project legally safe to proceed. This guidance helps avoid costly lawsuits, delays, or forced changes after filming has begun.

Other options don’t directly address the legal risks the clearance report highlights. Scheduling a meeting with cast doesn’t resolve rights or defamation concerns; rewriting the script might be part of mitigation but should be guided by legal counsel to ensure any changes truly reduce risk; distributing the report to crew is about sharing information, not resolving the legal issues identified.