When Spiderman:Turn Off The Dark’s original writer/director ,Julie Taymor, sued the show’s producers late in 2011, nobody was particularly surprised. Ms. Taymor’s lawsuit alleged numerous counts, including the obvious breaches of contract, and the not-so-obvious copyright infringement claims. That suit seeks millions in unpaid fees and royalties allegedly due Taymor, and an order enjoining the… Continue Reading
I am often consulted by film and stage producers who tell me they’re ready to start work on raising the financing for their films/ plays/ musicals, or what-have-you, but often as not, as we get to work, it becomes clear that they’re not as ready as they think. Before going out to investors, it’s important to… Continue Reading
Will you help me help you? I’ve prepared the following one-question survey about the theatre business. Please take a moment to let me know what you would like to know about producing theatre. Thanks. Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey, the world’s leading questionnaire tool. Continue Reading
If you’ve been to the theatre recently, you may have noticed ushers admonishing patrons against taking pictures, even before the show begins. In this Article from Playbill.com, several explanations are offered. Continue Reading
One of the most heatedly negotiated provisions in theatrical production licenses these days is the Subsidiary Rights Clause. In this post, I’ll briefly explain what subsidiary rights are, and why they’re such a big issue for producers and authors alike. Continue Reading
The contractual provision between collaborators that determines when their respective contributions to the work become a single unified whole is a tricky, and often overlooked provision which can have long-lasting consequences. Continue Reading
Earlier this week, the Tony nominations were announced, and my friend Cricket Myers was honored with a nomination for her work on “Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo“, starring Robin Williams. Congratulations Cricket! Continue Reading
The Case of Feldman v. Pro Football, Inc. __ F.3d __, Nos. 09-1021, 09-1023, decided on March 25th, 2011 isn’t, strictly speaking, an entertainment law case, but it could have implications for clients in the theatre business, who struggle with decisions about how to accommodate patrons with disabilities. Continue Reading
People with disabilities want to go to the theatre too. Lawsuits against theatre operators and producers, claiming failure to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act are on the rise. These claims suggest that assistive listening devices, audio description, and other services might be required for theatres to accommodate the deaf and blind and those with other disabilities. Continue Reading
Earlier this week, the New York Theatre Critics broke with long standing tradition and reviewed a show while it is still in Previews. The mostly bad reviews of “Spiderman: Turn Off The Dark” came out the day after one of the oft-rescheduled opening dates. Clearly the critics have had enough, figuring (I think correctly), that when… Continue Reading
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