Media & Entertainment Law

Agenda for the SAG-AFTRA Merger Effort

Posted on February 21, 2011
There's a strong case for merging SAG and AFTRA but there are numerous hurdles to overcome as well. What are some of the key issues? See my piece in The Hollywood Reporter for details. __________ Check out my new book ?Hollywood on Strike!,? available at https://www...

Now on Sale - "Hollywood on Strike!" (limited-time 20% discount)

Posted on February 15, 2011
My new book is finally out and is available now at https://www.createspace.com/3344392 (paperback $27.95)! >>> For a limited time, use code JL886NCV on Createspace for 20% off. And, unlike Amazon, Createspace charges no tax for Calif. orders...

SAG's David White to Speak on Digital Issues

Posted on February 07, 2011
The Feb. 17 talk is hosted by Town Hall Los Angeles. Details: Hollywood Reporter. Note: tix are $49-$65. __________ Watch for my new book ?Hollywood on Strike!,? due out this month. Subscribe to my blog (jhandel.com) for more about entertainment law and digital media law...

Results of Writers Guild 'Pattern of Demands' Vote Still Unknown

Posted on February 02, 2011
Balloting closed Jan. 24 on the wide-ranging outline of negotiating priorities, but the guild has not yet announced the results of the vote. Details: The Hollywood Reporter. __________ Watch for my new book ?Hollywood on Strike!,? due out this month...

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SAG Continues Down Path to Merger with AFTRA

Posted on January 24, 2011
The union?s board allocates additional funding for task force working on merger; SAG president Ken Howard praises yesterday?s AFTRA resolution regarding merger. Details: The Hollywood Reporter. __________ Watch for my new book ?Hollywood on Strike!,? due out next month...

AFTRA Moves Closer to Merger With SAG

Posted on January 23, 2011
For the first time, the union?s national board votes on the current merger attempt, passing a key resolution ?overwhelmingly?; the measure includes a statement that AFTRA leadership is ?encouraged by the renewed interest expressed by SAG?s current leadership...

WGA East Executive Director Optimistic on Guild Negotiating Goals

Posted on January 19, 2011
Lowell Peterson also confirms that there is no date set for negotiations. See The Hollywood Reporter exclusive. __________ Watch for my new book ?Hollywood on Strike!,? due out next month. Subscribe to my blog (jhandel.com) for more about entertainment law and digital media law...

"Hollywood on Strike!" Book Available Soon

Posted on January 13, 2011
Great news ? my new book, ?Hollywood on Strike!: An Industry at War in the Internet Age? will be out in just a few weeks. The book chronicles the 2007-2009 Hollywood labor disturbances ? the WGA strike and the SAG stalemate ? and tries to make sense of them...

WGA Sends Out 'Pattern of Demands' Seeking Major Contract Improvements

Posted on December 22, 2010
Goals include increases in minimums, pension and health, home video residuals and new media reuse, and revamps of pitching process. Details: The Hollywood Reporter. ------------------------------ Watch for my new book ?Hollywood on Strike!,? due out next month...

Comcast Writers Overwhelmingly Vote for WGA in Unofficial Secret Ballot

Posted on December 15, 2010
About 3/4 of eligible writers voted in an unusual procedure supervised by LA City Council president Eric Garcetti, meant  to draw attention to labor issue. Details: The Hollywood Reporter. ------------------------------ Watch for my new book ?Hollywood on Strike!,? due out next month...

SAG Manager Investigated for Embezzlement of Unclaimed Residuals

Posted on December 12, 2010
Two employees were discharged, one for possible embezzlement of $200,000-$250,000 and the other for violation of policies. An outside probe is ongoing. Details: The Hollywood Reporter. ------------------------------ Watch for my new book ?Hollywood on Strike!,? due out next month...

DGA Board Approves Tentative Deal

Posted on December 09, 2010
The deal, which provides for 2% annual pay increases and a one-time 1.5% boost in pension and health, will soon go to the membership for ratification, with a ballot return date in January. Details: The Hollywood Reporter. ------------------------------ Watch for my new book ?Hollywood on Strike!,? due out next month...

NBC Universal Writers Pen Letter of Support for Comcast Writers

Posted on December 08, 2010
The letter also asserts Comcast CEO promised at Congressional hearing ??to continue the good relations with the guilds and with the unions that NBC Universal has.?? The WGA?s effort to represent Comcast writers is heating up. Details: The Hollywood Reporter...

DGA and Studios Reach Tentative Deal

Posted on December 07, 2010
However, union will not release details until Wednesday board meeting. Details: The Hollywood Reporter. ------------------------------ Watch for my new book ?Hollywood on Strike!,? due out next month. Subscribe to my blog (jhandel.com) for more about entertainment law and digital media law...

DGA Negotiations Go Into Overtime, Then Pause

Posted on December 04, 2010
Studio talks expected to continue on Monday. Details: The Hollywood Reporter. ------------------------------ Watch for my new book ?Hollywood on Strike!,? due out next month. Subscribe to my blog (jhandel.com) for more about entertainment law and digital media law...

SAG-AFTRA Joint Board Approves Studio Deal

Posted on December 04, 2010
A ballot referendum recommending ratification will soon go out to members, for return by mid-January.  Details: The Hollywood Reporter. ------------------------------ Watch for my new book ?Hollywood on Strike!,? due out next month. Subscribe to my blog (jhandel...

People on the Move: SAG Lawyer Joining Fox

Posted on December 03, 2010
SAG vet Laura Beedy Ritchie moves to the other side of the table in 10 days. Details: The Hollywood Reporter. ------------------------------ Watch for my new book ?Hollywood on Strike!,? due out next month. Subscribe to my blog (jhandel.com) for more about entertainment law and digital media law...

AFTRA Investigation Finds No Misconduct by Board Member Over SAGWatch Site

Posted on December 01, 2010
The union's outside counsel determines that David Browde did not violate non-disparagement or confidentiality rules and is not an owner or editor of the site. Details: The Hollywood Reporter. ------------------------------ Watch for my new book ?Hollywood on Strike!,? due out next month...

DGA Talks Continue for Third Week

Posted on November 30, 2010
Still no news as talks go into possibly final week. Details: The Hollywood Reporter. ------------------------------ Watch for my new book ?Hollywood on Strike!,? due out next month. Subscribe to my blog (jhandel.com) for more about entertainment law and digital media law...

DGA Talks Continue

Posted on November 22, 2010
Details in The Hollywood Reporter. ------------------------------ Watch for my new book ?Hollywood on Strike!,? due out next month. Subscribe to my blog (jhandel.com) for more about entertainment law and digital media law...

'Biggest Loser' Crew Reaches New Deal, Ends Strike

Posted on November 22, 2010
The agreement between IATSE and Reveille will provide the crew with health benefits -- their major goal. Details: The Hollywood Reporter. ------------------------------ Watch for my new book ?Hollywood on Strike!,? due out next month. Subscribe to my blog (jhandel...

WGA in Organizing Struggle with Comcast

Posted on November 20, 2010
E!, Style, and G4 writers seek immediate guild representation; Comcast refuses, and is forcing a government-supervised secret ballot election. Details: The Hollywood Reporter. ------------------------------ Watch for my new book ?Hollywood on Strike!,? due out next month...

California Labor Federation Endorses 'Biggest Loser' Strike

Posted on November 18, 2010
Group represents 2.1 million union members; it's unknown what additional steps the organization may take to support the strikers. Details in my Hollywood Reporter piece. ------------------------------- Watch for my new book ?Hollywood on Strike!,? due out next month...

'Loser' Labor Standoff

Posted on November 17, 2010
A summary of the IATSE "Biggest Loser" strike and a photo from the picket lines. See The Hollywood Reporter. Note - because this is from the weekly edition, a subscription is required to view the page. ------------------------------- Watch for my new book ?Hollywood on Strike!,? due out next month...

DGA-AMPTP Talks Start

Posted on November 16, 2010
A press blackout is in effect as up to two to three weeks of talks start. Details: The Hollywood Reporter. ------------------------------- Watch for my new book ?Hollywood on Strike!,? due out next month. Subscribe to my blog (jhandel.com) for more about entertainment law and digital media law...

LA AFL-CIO Pledges to Send Picketers to ?Biggest Loser?

Posted on November 16, 2010
Details: The Hollywood Reporter. ------------------------------- Watch for my new book ?Hollywood on Strike!,? due out next month. Subscribe to my blog (jhandel.com) for more about entertainment law and digital media law...

Same Picture Post-Election at the Animation Guild

Posted on November 15, 2010
Business representative Steve Hulett and most incumbents re-elected. Details in my Hollywood Reporter piece. ------------------------------- Watch for my new book ?Hollywood on Strike!,? due out next month. Subscribe to my blog (jhandel.com) for more about entertainment law and digital media law...

AFTRA Endorses IATSE 'Biggest Loser' Organizing Campaign

Posted on November 15, 2010
The union issued an unequivocal statement of support. Details in my Hollywood Reporter piece. ------------------------------- Watch for my new book ?Hollywood on Strike!,? due out next month. Subscribe to my blog (jhandel.com) for more about entertainment law and digital media law...

100 IATSE Picketers March at ?Biggest Loser? Monday

Posted on November 15, 2010
Striking crew and their supporters confront a small number of vehicles entering the production site. Details in my Hollywood Reporter piece. ------------------------------- Watch for my new book ?Hollywood on Strike!,? due out next month. Subscribe to my blog (jhandel...

LA County AFL-CIO Council Targets 'Biggest Loser'

Posted on November 15, 2010
Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, plans to endorse the IATSE strike, now in its second week. Details: The Hollywood Reporter. ------------------------------- Watch for my new book ?Hollywood on Strike!,? due out next month. Subscribe to my blog (jhandel...

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