Motion Pictures & Television

Greenberg Glusker represents producers, directors and production companies in the negotiation and documentation of agreements to obtain critically important literary rights, which are the basis of entertainment productions. Our Entertainment Group also represents the authors and other owners of such rights in sale and licensing transactions. On many occasions we have been responsible for precedent-setting deals.

We negotiate agreements for the financing, development and production of motion pictures, television programs, books, plays and other creative outlets.  Such arrangements can have a number of legal components including distribution licenses, bank loan agreements, completion bonds and equity investments. These investments often involve obtaining and perfecting, and if necessary foreclosing upon, security interests in various forms of intellectual property.

Our Firm represents producers of national television commercials and music videos in all aspects of their operations, including contracts with directors and sales representatives, production issues and litigation.

We also perform production legal services for motion pictures, television programs, music videos and other entertainment productions. In this area, we have a particular focus on establishing and protecting underlying rights and “chains of title” fundamental to the development, production and exploitation of the final property. Our attorneys also are concerned with rights integral to the negotiation and drafting of appropriate agreements with all persons and entities furnishing rights and/or services connected to the production, such as locations, facilities, property, cast and crew.

Representative Experience

  • Negotiate talent agreements for movie stars, up-and-coming actors and everyone in between.
  • Structure agreements for executive producer, producers, show runners and staff members for motion pictures and television.
  • Advise and represent clients in rights pertaining to literary, format, and all other forms of rights acquisitions and licenses connected to all media.
  • Negotiate employment agreements for entertainment industry executives, talent agents and managers.
  • Manage participation audits for celebrities, directors, producers, actors and investors.
  • Provide general representation and legal work for a full range of producers, from fledgling companies to major studios in TV and motion pictures.
  • Advise corporate organizations, provide tax analysis and estate planning analysis, and counsel on all related agreements.
  • Represent composers and music libraries in acquisitions, licenses and general legal concerns.
  • Negotiate and draft agreements for licensing, recording, distribution and merchandising for music performers, composers and labels.
  • Structure unique, sophisticated multiparty agreements for the creation, licensing, and administration of music to, and on behalf of, independent television production companies.

For more information, please contact David G. Stanley, Chair of Greenberg Glusker's Entertainment Group.