Ep 226 - Essential Legal Advice for Screenwriters with Joshua Lastine (Entertainment Lawyer)
Feb 29, 2024 ·
22m 39s
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Description
- Host: Geoffrey Calhoun - Instagram @screenwriterpod - Guest: Joshua Lastine, Entertainment Lawyer - Instagram @LastineLaw - Overview: Discussing why screenwriters, especially indie screenwriters, need entertainment lawyers to navigate the...
show more- Host: Geoffrey Calhoun
- Instagram @screenwriterpod
- Guest: Joshua Lastine, Entertainment Lawyer
- Instagram @LastineLaw
- Overview: Discussing why screenwriters, especially indie screenwriters, need entertainment lawyers to navigate the complexities of contracts and protect their rights and interests.
- The Importance of Legal Representation for Screenwriters:
- Joshua emphasizes the crucial need for screenwriters to have legal protection, from newcomers to seasoned professionals, to ensure all contractual details are in their favor and to avoid potential pitfalls.
- Common Issues Screenwriters Face Without Legal Guidance:
- Late or missing payments due to overlooked contract specifics.
- The risk of unfavorable contract terms due to not understanding the legal jargon or missing critical clauses.
- Why Entertainment Lawyers are Essential:
- They provide vital protection for non-WGA writers who lack guild support.
- Offer strategic advice on contract negotiations, ensuring screenwriters get fair deals and are not exploited.
- Cost Concerns and Solutions:
- Joshua addresses concerns about affordability, suggesting that building relationships with lawyers early can lead to flexible payment arrangements, such as a percentage-based fee.
- Misconceptions About Entertainment Lawyers as Agents:
- While lawyers can occasionally facilitate connections, their primary role is legal protection, not career management or promotion.
- Working with Agents and Managers:
- A collaborative approach with agents, managers, and lawyers typically yields the best outcomes for screenwriters, ensuring all aspects of deals and opportunities are optimized.
- Advice for Reviewing Contracts:
- Emphasizes the importance of ensuring contracts reflect all verbal promises and the need for clarity on payment terms and project expectations.
- The Pitfalls of Not Having Legal Representation:
- Shares cautionary tales of screenwriters trapped in unfavorable contracts or losing rights to their work due to inadequate legal protection.
- Legal Considerations in the Writing Process:
- Highlights the need for screenwriters to consult with entertainment lawyers even during the writing phase to navigate copyright issues and other legal considerations.
- Joshua Lastine underscores the indispensable role of entertainment lawyers in safeguarding screenwriters' interests, advising early and ongoing engagement with legal professionals for career success.
- Joshua Lastine can be reached through his website, lastineentertainmentlaw.com, and on Instagram @LastineLaw.
- Expresses gratitude to Joshua for his insights and to the audience for tuning in, emphasizing the value of legal advice in the screenwriting journey.
Information
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