Dan Gosland
THE INTERVIEW
What do you love about working in media law?
I love my working relationships with clients, both as individuals and professionally – I derive real satisfaction in helping a client achieve their goals with minimum fuss and with the best commercial outcome.
What’s your specialism?
If I had to describe my specialism it would be non-scripted TV development and production and scripted development. But I have over twenty years’ experience across a huge range of TV production, broadcast and rights exploitation which helps me see the bigger picture.
Who gave you your first break?
My first break came when I moved from a law firm to in-house at MTV, working closely with programme makers. That was when I really started loving my job. I also had my onscreen debut there, appearing as “the uncorruptible lawyer” in a show called Dirty Sanchez, Newport’s on steroids answer to Jackass…
Why join ABBAS Media Law?
Abbas is a topflight team working with great producers and I want to learn and contribute.
Any tips for producers trying to keep up with the ever-changing restrictions affecting our industry?
Sign up to Abbas’ biannual media law magazine zoom-in, and zoom-in brief monthly bulletins! I have always found that a great way to keep up to date with the regulatory and legal environment affecting our industry.
I worked on a documentary involving footage and stills secured from international sources. It wasn’t always possible to obtain standard clearance paperwork, so I worked with the producers, international co-producer, distributor and the sources to ensure we were legally comfortable to include this content in line with the director’s vision.
We’re all about enabling creativity and minimising risk, can you share a time where you think this happened with great results?
Tell us one surprising thing about you?
I recorded with the Divine Comedy in Abbey Road Studios.
What are you working on right now?
Confidential I’m afraid.
What’s on you watch list this month?
Finishing up The Good Place and then moving onto Lord of the Flies.
What do you do to kick back and relax in the evenings?
Watch an ep or two of a Netflix series with my son after dinner.
To contact Dan email: dan@abbasmedialaw.com