No one under 18 can legally enter into a contract.

If you don't have a prodCo then just use your name. The people are entering into a contract with you personally - and not a business. If you use the name of a company or business that isn't a legal business or company the contract could be considered fraud. Also when speaking legally you are not "non-profit" unless you are officially, legally designated as a non-profit company or organization. Just because you won't be making a profit, doesn't mean you are "non-profit" - that is a specific legal term. If the actor isn't getting paid then you don't have to sign federal employment papers or file tax information. What you need is a signed model release simply stating that you can use their likeness on in your movie.

I understand that a few dollars using the mail can be pretty expensive. But you need a signed hard copy of your release forms to protect yourself in the future. It's an expense you are going to have to incur

=============================================
The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)

So what should I do about my actors under the age of 18?

And my "Production" company is just my small group, can I just use a name for the hell of it?

And I'm mostly going to be posting videos online through sites like youtube and the like, and google video.

The only major thing legally I'm worried about is if someone steals my videos and calls them their own. Of course they wouldn't because I have my own actors and such, but the idea of my work is what I'm afraid they'll take.

If I were to copyright my idea, how would I title it? If I paid to get it copyrighted, what would I say to cover? Just the title doesn't mean anything, I'd have to have each character copyrighted huh? Can characters be copyrighted?

Sorry, it's just I really am trying to get legal stuff out of the way, because I don't have a producer on this and have no idea how to handle it. Thanks for answering these questions.

*Bump*

A minor cannot sign a legal agreement. You have already answered this question yourself in your first post.

You can use a name for the hell of it. But if you use the name of a "production" company that isn't a legal business the contract could be considered fraud. The actors and crew - including the composer - are signing a contract with you personally. Not with a production company.

Characters and ideas cannot be copyrighted. The finished script can be. The finished movie can be.

darkwolf, you need to get the minor's legal guardians to sign the form.

certified instigator- so when you see 'based on characters created by Mr blah' in credits, is that simply the film-makers acknowledging or is it a legal requirement?

edit- apologies 😉

I'll probably use the name, but all legal forms and signatures will be addressed to me, not the production company.

Thanks. It's Wolf btw.