Story Rights
Story Rights are the legal permissions needed to use or adapt a story, book, or idea for film, TV, or other media. When someone mentions Story Rights in their resume, they're talking about their experience in acquiring, managing, or selling these permissions. Think of it like getting official permission to use someone else's story - similar to getting a license. Related terms include "Option Rights," "Literary Rights," or "Intellectual Property Rights." This is a crucial part of the entertainment industry because most movies and TV shows start with buying rights to existing stories.
Examples in Resumes
Negotiated Story Rights for three bestselling novels that were developed into TV series
Managed Story Rights and Option Rights acquisition for independent film studio
Evaluated potential Literary Rights and Story Rights for development team
Typical job title: "Story Rights Managers"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Story Rights Managers
Professional Organizations
Industry Networks
Industry Events
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How do you handle complex rights negotiations involving multiple territories and platforms?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate experience with international rights deals, understanding of different platform requirements (streaming, theatrical, etc.), and ability to negotiate favorable terms while maintaining good relationships.
Q: Tell me about a difficult rights acquisition you managed and how you overcame the challenges.
Expected Answer: Should show problem-solving abilities, understanding of deal structures, and experience handling complications in rights negotiations.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What's your process for evaluating whether story rights are worth pursuing?
Expected Answer: Should explain how they assess market potential, budget considerations, and creative elements when deciding on rights acquisitions.
Q: How do you track and manage multiple rights agreements?
Expected Answer: Should describe organizational systems, understanding of rights windows and territories, and experience with rights management tools.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What are the basic elements of a story rights agreement?
Expected Answer: Should know fundamental components like option periods, purchase price, rights granted, and term length.
Q: How do you research if rights to a story are available?
Expected Answer: Should explain basic chain of title research, checking copyright records, and contacting rights holders or their representatives.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic understanding of rights agreements
- Research and documentation
- Communication with rights holders
- Contract administration
Mid (2-5 years)
- Rights negotiation
- Market analysis
- Deal structure understanding
- Rights tracking and management
Senior (5+ years)
- Complex deal negotiation
- International rights management
- Strategy development
- Team leadership
Red Flags to Watch For
- No knowledge of basic contract terms
- Unfamiliarity with copyright law
- Poor communication skills
- Lack of attention to detail in documentation
Related Terms
Need more hiring wisdom? Check these out...
Speak Up! How Voice Search Is Changing Job Listings and What HR Needs to Do About It
From Ghost Town to Talent Hub: Transforming Your Careers Blog into a Talent Magnet
Succession Planning: Your Company's Future-Proof Strategy
