The performers union, SAG-AFTRA, has reached a deal with the studios for a new three-year contract covering theatrical, television and new media production. The proposal will still need to be approved by the national board and the membership before taking effect. The proposed contract is patterned on the agreement struck by the Directors Guild earlier this year. It includes wage increases and increased pension and health contributions. The most critical improvement, however, is improved residuals…

Another blow was struck in the litigation between the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the top three talent agencies. In April, the agencies prevailed in their motion to dismiss eight of the nine claims asserted against them by the WGA in the pending US District Court case.  They have now moved to dismiss the remaining claim. The underlying issue in the case has been the WGA’s contention that the agencies’ practice of collecting packaging…

After something of a war of words, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and Association of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) have resumed negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement. This agreement will cover writers for film, TV and digital productions. Residuals for series and feature-length productions made for streaming services are expected to be among the most critical issues under negotiation. The Directors Guild was able to reach agreement with the studios…

The organizers of a Salt Lake City comic convention suffered another blow in their long-running trademark battle with the organizers of the San Diego Comic-Con. The Salt Lake event styled itself as “Salt Lake Comic Con.” The owners of the registered trademark “San Diego Comic-Con” sued for infringement. Nearly six years of litigation culminated in a jury verdict in favor of the San Diego plaintiff. The defendant appealed to the Ninth Circuit on the ground…

Although the coronavirus pandemic has brought production to a virtual standstill, writers, unlike directors and performers, are still able to work on development. While they shelter in place quietly plying their trade, their union has continued to make news. Agency Litigation The breaking story is a ruling in the California District Court case between the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the major talent agencies William Morris Endeavor (WME), Creative Artists Agency (CAA) and United…

The closure of Broadway theatres amidst the Corona pandemic came as a gut punch. It was swift, sharp and immediately changed the fate of the forty-one theatres that make New York City the center of the global theatrical market. It is a devastating and crippling event for our industry and the world at large, but there are ways in which we can mobilize to address its impact on the theatrical market – and the answer…