Fred Lee '11 will research entertainment law in South Korea
Fred Lee’s love affair with film began in 1997 after he saw the Academy Award-nominated movie “Good Will Hunting.” The 2011 USC Gould School of Law graduate was just 14 years old, but he was deeply touched by the movie’s characters, and came to truly appreciate the effect of cinema on life.
After nearly a decade of working in a variety of film and entertainment roles – including as production intern, backup dancer on television and, most recently, offering legal help to documentary filmmakers in the USC Law Intellectual Property and Technology Law Clinic – 27-year-old Lee has gained practical insight into how the law and entertainment intersect and overlap.
Recently, Lee was one of 10 USC students to win a prestigious Fulbright Fellowship to study, conduct research or teach abroad. The selection was based on academic achievement and commitment to cultural engagement. With the fellowship, Lee plans to research entertainment law in South Korea, specifically looking at copyright and piracy issues. He has an affiliation at the South Korean law firm Kim and Chang, one of the largest in Asia.
“Just as I was deeply moved by ‘Good Will Hunting,’ I want to ensure, by helping producers and artists navigate through the legal landscape, that other audiences will continue to have access to quality filmmaking, both here and abroad,” Lee said.
Lee hopes to propose solutions that accord with the recently renegotiated version of the United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement, in the form of a best practices guide to aid future entertainment deals between the two countries.
“I’m extremely proud that Fred has been honored in this way,” said USC Law Prof. Jack Lerner, with whom Lee worked closely during law school as a clinical intern in the USC Intellectual Property and Technology Law Clinic. “His fascinating proposal to develop best practices for collaboration between the United States and South Korean film industries will likely yield immediate, tangible benefits on both sides of the Pacific—and he is exactly the right person for the job.”
Lee gained an understanding and appreciation for South Korean film through a study abroad program in South Korea when he was an undergraduate at the University of California, Berkeley.
“It was during this experience overseas when I realized that the film industry was just as robust abroad, and I began to appreciate the distinct , cinematic storytelling styles and traditions of different cultures, particularly that of South Korea,” he said.
Lee returned to South Korea a few years later to work as a backup dancer, performing for well-known singers in concerts, music shows, and live events.
“I became acquainted with many professionals in the industry, gaining insight into their particular concerns as performers,” he said.
Lee does not know if he’ll pursue international entertainment law or work on domestic film issues. He does know, however, that in the entertainment field, the law shapes and influences nearly every aspect of the industry.
“One of the most important things I observed while working as a production intern on an independent film called 'Towelhead' was the importance of the role of law in the entire production process,” Lee said. “I learned that there are laws governing every aspect of production, from work hours and food breaks to guidelines regarding medics on site and child actors. After that experience I knew I wanted to be an entertainment lawyer.”
Lee said his love of film pulls him to the theater at least once a week. His most recent favorite film is “Blue Valentine,” a 2010 film about relationships and marriage.
“It is one of those films that makes you think and reflect on life…. Some say that art imitates life, but I believe it oftentimes works the other way around,” Lee said.
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