The current conflict between Writers Guild of America (WGA) members and their agents, represented by the Association of Talent Agents (ATA), exposes tensions that have been simmering for a long time. According to the WGA (and many individual writers), writers have traditionally been under served by the nature of the relationship, since agents have been…
After an hour-long negotiation session on Friday between the WGA and the talent agencies that represent its writer members (The Association of Talent Agents), progress broke down. The WGA’s decision to implement a new Code of Conduct that regulates the actions of the talent agencies took place formally on the same day (Friday), which left…
As of March 31, the votes have been cast and counted, and the WGA (Writers Guild of America) has made an overwhelming decision. About 95% of online voters among the group’s 15,000 members have agreed to adopt tighter rules for talent agencies, which new ‘Code of Conduct’ rules will eliminate an agency’s ability to accept…
March 31, 2019 – This is a big week for Hollywood writers. In an online voting process that concluded on March 31, members of the Writers Guild of America decided to adopt a “code of conduct” that, if writers’ agents fail to adhere to, will allow writers to fire their agents. Agencies have pushed back…
According to the current rules of the NCAA, scholarships for student athletes are limited to four areas of compensation: tuition, room and board, books, fees and attendance costs. But as of a judge’s ruling last Friday in Alston vs NCAA, a California antitrust lawsuit, the organization will no longer be able to limit compensation or…
In a recent episode of Back Stage, interviewers asked Leonardo DiCaprio to share some helpful advice for aspiring actors. His response was threefold: 1. attend acting classes, 2. put yourself in a city where auditions happen (just pack your bags and go to LA), and 3. learn your lines so well that you can relax…
When ordinary, non-famous people—people like you and me—pay a tattoo artist for inking the visible parts of our bodies, we don’t typically generate much controversy or legal intrigue. The general consumer public most likely thinks the tattoo itself belongs to the person wearing it, since it’s part of their bodies. But when a professional athlete…
Location scouts and production companies have a long list of factors to take into account as they choose filming locations, production sound stages and post-production services, and one of the most influential factors has little to do with scenery and accessibility, and everything to do with dollar signs: local tax credits. As nations and municipalities…
Could the fallout from Brexit influence film, television and motion picture production in the UK? To counter a potential downturn in filming-related revenues, the UK now offers tax credits to companies who choose the region as a shooting destination. But as it happens, Ireland offers an even more enticing tax incentive. In addition, Ireland’s attractive…
Hollywood producers, crews and casts are finding a welcoming new hub in the UK, especially in London. And as they migrate to the area, production companies are bringing their big budgets with them. Big studios and big franchises (like DC Comics and Star Wars) are eyeing up the UK landscape and the budget-friendly benefits of…