How to write a Press Kit
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How-To Manual
Press Kit Artwork and Copyrights
Anime fandom is by nature accompanied by certain questionable legal aspects and issues. In the anime press kit, there are certain steps that should be taken to avoid potential legal repercussions.
Anime Artwork
The most prevalent issue is that of the artwork. Typically, anime pictures will be used to illustrate concepts and to ameliorate the physical appearance of the press kit. This is encouraged, but it must be stressed that to avoid legal issues, it is best to use only artwork that has been sanctioned or given approval by any companies which hold the distribution rights in North America. Wherever possible, it is best to ask for the use any artwork pertaining to a particular anime. Most anime companies in North America are supportive of many efforts to support anime and anime fandom, and are particularly interested in efforts that will result in the changing of media stereotypes.The exception to this is the concept of fan artwork. As original creations, they are the property of the artist and thus can be used freely if granted permission. However, legal action may be taken if the subject anime is portrayed in a manner contrary to the desires of the rights holders, or if the content of the press kit is against the rights holders. It is best not to give a company an avenue for legal action in this way. Any opinions in an anime press kit are those of its writers and thus subject to protection, but it is best not to test the limits of that right by allowing possible backlash from anime companies. Of course, the fan artwork should be tasteful.
When using any artwork in an anime press kit, every picture should be credited individually in text directly under or near the artwork in question. If all the artwork is from a single source, then it can be stated once along with the rest of the copyright information (see below).
Copyright Information
As much as the use of artwork is considered property of the rights holders, the content and design of the press kit is the property of its authors. Proper steps should be taken to avoid the content of the press kit being misquoted or taken out of context.Works such as an anime press kit are automatically granted copyright status and are subject to protection under federal legislation (consultation with the local library will yield a full explanation). This is confirmed by placing the copyright symbol somewhere in the text of the kit, preferably at the beginning in small text. The year of copyright and the name of the author organization claiming copyright should also be present.
In addition to this, other desires or claims of the author organization should be printed in an accessible location. This is also a useful tool that encourages communication between the media source and the author organization, given the tendency of media sources to directly quote some sources. Consider the following sample copyright text:
"Copyright 1998 by the Banzai Anime Klub of Alberta (BAKA). This publication is the property of BAKA. No part may be reproduced in part or in whole without the express permission of the authors. Any opinions expressed by individuals are those of the individuals and are not necessarily supported by BAKA."
The above text forbids anyone from using the text of the press kit without consulting the author organization. It further absolves the author organization of any repercussions from information or opinions from accredited sources. In this fashion, the content of the press kit may be preserved from many potential misconceptions. The media will also need to contact the author organization to obtain permission for the use of any text, thus improving the chances of establishing a dialogue between the author organization and the media source.
Summary
It is important for an anime fan organization to support the rights of anime companies as well as its own rights. Careful research into protecting and employing these rights will result in a more legally sound, useful and technically impressive publication.
OVERALL SUMMARY
The sections of this manual provide a general guide to the planning, writing and distribution of an anime press kit. It also describes many details involved in the production if such a kit, from beginning to end.It must be noted that this is only a guide. While it is expected that press kits will follow a format similar to that established in this manual, there is considerable room for an author organization to use its own interpretations and opinions in the creation if its own kit. While there are some points which are encouraged to have some measure of uniformity, it is equally encouraged to seek out and implement improvements to the basic scheme presented here.
This manual will also change improve over time. It represents one formula which has been proven successful in practice, but there are others. It is the responsibility of the anime fandom organizations who have written anime press kits, and those who have yet to do so, to expand and improve this manual.
Copyright 1998 by Mark Nguyen
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