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) […]
DMCA: A Safe-Harbor from Liability for Copyright Infringement or the Thunder from Down Under?
The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) is a product of worldwide agreement by governments and corporations on ways to attempt to stem the tide of copyright infringement that has run rampant in the digital age. The DMCA came online in 1998 when people still watched DVDs and cars had CD players. The Act has not […]
Timely File Payroll Taxes Because The IRS Is Watching
The following article was recently published on Law360. I am honored to be a contributor to this fine legal publication.
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 […]
You’re A Mean One, Mr. “GDPR”
Ever wonder why your email inbox is overflowing with privacy policy updates from seemingly every company under the sun from Facebook to YouTube to Instagram and LinkedIn? The culprit is GDPR. Let’s start from the beginning. What is this new regulation that has gotten the attention of virtually every website owner in the United States and […]
Is FATCA a Mere Flash In The Pan or a Pestilent Gnat That Is Here to Stay?
When you drop a large rock into a pool of calm water, ripples appear and spread and eventually they will touch the entire surface of that pond, drastically changing its appearance. And the FATCA rock was a very big one indeed. Recognizing that there is a substantial amount of money stored overseas that has gone unreported – and […]
Supreme Court of the United States Denies Cert of Appellate Court’s Decision Affirming Million Dollar FBAR Penalty
The Supreme Court of the United States denied cert (i.e., review) of a Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision affirming a federal court’s decision in favor of the IRS, which assessed a staggering $1.2 million penalty against the taxpayer for failing to disclose a foreign bank account. The sweeping decision was announced on April 30, 2018 and is significant […]
The Top 10 Mistakes Actors Make When They Sign a Contract
1. They fail to read it. You’re an actor. You make you living through your craft. So when you book that role and a deal comes your way, your first instinct may be to start pumping your fists in the air and sign whatever document is put in front of you before the hard and […]