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Business Affairs Consultancy
Deal-making and contract support for film, television and new media clients.
ABOUT ME
Hannah Wylie
Equally at ease navigating boilerplate or building complex deal structures from scratch, I’m focused on helping clients get projects made, on fair terms, without burning through their budget on legal fees. I bring a rare blend of legal rigour and commercial pragmatism to the world of film and television; combining the precision of a qualified solicitor with the instincts of a dealmaker.
As a business affairs consultant, I offer the client-first mindset honed as a partner at Harbottle & Lewis, underpinned by deep industry experience from senior in-house roles at Focus Features (VP, Legal & BA), Bad Wolf (Head of Business Affairs), and Amazon Studios (Lead Counsel, EU). I've helped fast-growth media businesses build scalable, global operating frameworks, and supported emerging creatives with their first productions.
I'm a full voting member of BAFTA and serve as a non-executive director of Resource Productions CIC, which champions inclusive, sustainable pathways into the creative industries. I have presented for Pact, Content London and the London Film Festival on the subject of generative AI in entertainment. Outside of work, I'm a voracious reader (all the better if written by a client), avid gym-goer, and committed cold-water swimmer.
Skills & Experience
Unusually for the entertainment industry, my experience spans both film and television, scripted and unscripted, and development through to broadcast.
Career highlights include the acquisition of “Manchester by the Sea”, navigating legal issues on S1 of “Clarkson’s Farm”, helping “A Discovery of Witches” to be the first new season to shoot following Covid-19 lockdown, and each of the many chain of title reviews involving documents typed on typewriters, sent via fax and covered in tea stains.
I work with talent (writers, directors, authors), independent production companies, film studios and everything in between.
Development
I work with clients from first inception of the idea, through to completion of chain of title for a project. This has included fast-turnaround, competitive auctions for high-profile IP and many bespoke deals with format creators and public figures. Examples of key contracts include:
Lead Writer Agreements ◊ Format Agreements ◊ Life Story Agreements ◊ Book Options ◊ Development Funding Agreements ◊ First Look Deals ◊ Writers’ Room Agreements.
Due to my extensive experience across development, I am adept at navigating complex chain of title issues, and providing clear and concise summaries for business use.
Production
Having worked for both commissioners and indies, I have a deep understanding of the co-production and co-financing structures required to get projects off the ground in the UK and beyond. I can help with negotiation of commissioning terms, including rights, windowing, holdbacks, promotional obligations, together with tax credit financing paperwork and related inter party arrangements.
I have provided direct production legal support for some of the highest budget scripted shows on British television, including “His Dark Materials” and “Slow Horses”. I provide prompt and practical advice across all facets of production including agreements for cast, directors, producers. HODs, locations, VFX and all manner of ad hoc third party suppliers. I can provide clearance guidelines and work closely with production teams to ensure that their contracting process operates as smoothly and efficiently as possible.
Distribution
I have extensive knowledge and expertise with respect to negotiating film acquisition agreements and pre-sales, whether single territory, multi-territory or worldwide. I help clients navigate reserved rights, holdbacks, windowing, net profit allocation and calculation, and promotional obligations.
I also support clients with distribution agreements for television, whether as part of the original financing, or tape sales. I also assist with derivative exploitation, whether merchandise, spin-offs or podcasts.
WHO I'VE WORKED WITH & FOR
Raw TV ◆ Amazon Studios ◆ Universal Pictures ◆ Strong Film + Television ◆ People Person Pictures ◆ Bad Wolf ◆ Paramount+ ◆ Avalon ◆
"Hannah Wylie brings a wealth of experience in the sector and - having worked in senior in-house roles in both a US Studio environment and for a high-profile UK independent television production company - is able to quickly understand and deliver what we need in the way we need it. Hannah is commercially minded, pragmatic and always very responsive."
"Hannah Wylie […] in addition to her outstanding knowledge and ability - also brings warmth, humour and enjoyment to sometimes tricky and often fraught legal dilemmas."
Please note, Spring Tide Media Ltd is company providing business affairs support; we are not acting as solicitors nor are we regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
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