eBook | Foreign Asset Reporting: Navigating the Choppy Financial Seas.

Let’s Make a Deal – Buying or Selling a Screenplay

All movies, television series pilots and features begin with an idea. Only once that bare bone is fleshed out with plot, theme and character does that idea show potential as a movie. Writer once told a beginning screenwriter that the vast majority of screenwriters only finish one screenplay, and out of the vast numbers of […]

The Filmmaker’s Guide to Working With Unions

Once a film advances from the development stage, a producer, director and actors are needed. I suppose this is fairly obvious as without this “cast of characters,” the film could never be made. This is the perfect time to start thinking about the various “players” you will encounter during the filmmaking process along with the types of […]

What Filmmakers Need to Know About Actor Agreements

Talent is the lifeblood of any film. Without it, a film would never see the light of day. They include actors, writers, directors, producers, and below-the-line crew. When it comes to actor/performer agreements, the seminal issue is whether the production will employ professional actors who are members of the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and […]

Taxes & Crowdfunding

In need of capital to start a new business or fund a creative endeavor? Crowdfunding websites such as Kickstarter, GoFundMe, and Indiegogo have exploded in growth and popularity and are spreading like wildfire for both individual fundraising and small business owners. The amount of funding being crowdsourced has risen exponentially since 2009, and will likely […]

Nuts & Bolts of Non-disclosure Agreements

How can a filmmaker safeguard their idea during the submission process? Here are a few tips: Don’t disclose too much information. When pitching your idea to a producer, don’t volunteer any more information than what is necessary to give the producer a thumb nail sketch of your idea. Make use of confidentiality/Non-Disclosure Agreements. A confidentiality agreement or non-disclosure agreement (NDA) […]

Contract Advice for Non-Union Actors By An Actor

As both a lawyer and an actor, I get asked a lot of legal questions by my fellow actors. Below are some of the most frequently asked questions that I get along with my answers. As always, be sure to consult with an entertainment lawyer. Pen in hand, you are about to sign a contract for […]