Exhibition Windows and Artist Compensation The entry of streaming companies into the production of their own original feature-length motion pictures has resulted in big changes for the entire film and media industry sector. For Netflix and similar streaming giants, the impact is so revolutionary that it’s taking center stage for the time being, and pushing…
Variety recently published a story highlighting an oftentimes confusing, expensive, and damaging issue that can impact any film production if tax credits and accounting issues aren’t properly managed: tax credit fraud. In this specific case, a whistleblower drew attention to alleged misuse of tax credits on the Warner Brothers film “Sully”, starring Tom Hanks and…
The world of filmmaking and film production is loaded with longstanding myths, many of them holdovers from the earliest days of the industry. Some of the most stubborn beliefs revolve around a single question: What does it take to grab the attention and interest you need to procure a wide theatrical release? Most producers will…
In the midst of the ongoing battle between the Writer’s Guild of America and various talent agencies, day-to-day WGA business continues, including elections for Guild president. This September, David Goodman soundly defeated Phyllis Nagy in a contest that inspired record turnout. In addition to his re-election to a two-year term, the results were positive for…
As of last Friday, Sony Pictures and Marvel Studios have released an important and much-anticipated announcement: For now, Spider-Man will continue to live out his adventures inside the Marvel Universe. Which means the two companies have worked out the recent impasse that nearly drove them apart. It also means that Marvel Studios, headed by Kevin…
Sony Pictures currently owns the motion picture rights to the Spider-Man character, originally a Marvel Comics creation, and the last two movies featuring Spider-Man have been the result of a partnership between Sony Pictures and Disney-owned Marvel Entertainment. By every metric, both of those Spider-Man films have been highly successful. Sony-Disney Partnership Ends But after…
The Los Angeles Lakers are a team and sports franchise known for bold moves on the court and high revenue generation for team owners and investors. Everyone positioned within a wide, sprawling revenue chain—from merchandise licensing to broadcast rights—stands to make money when LeBron James winds up and Tomahawk Dunks a basketball. And that revenue-generating…
On June 19th, via a 16-minute video posted to the WGA’s website, the Guild president announced an official end to the negotiation process between the WGA and the association of talent agencies that represent its writer members, the ATA. (Here’s the video if you haven’t seen it.) Earlier this spring, talks became tense and an…
A round of newly released information seems to be keeping writer-agent tensions in the spotlight, and possibly fanning the flames of the ongoing dispute between the WGA and major talent agencies. As of late May, the Writers Guild of America amended its lawsuit against four agencies (WME, CAA, UTA and ICM) to add allegations of…
Corporate sponsorship has long provided a reliable advertising and business development vehicle for companies looking to reach out to a target audience of sports fans. Businesses often see outsized returns when they attach a logo or brand to a formula 500 car, a skateboard, a well-placed shoe or hat, a well-known face delivering a message…