The Law Offices of Gordon P. Firemark » Theatre law

Jeremy Piven is Off The Hook. Fish story satisfies arbitrator.

Gordon Firemark — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 02:10:39 +0000

THR Esq. reports today that Jeremy Piven’s mercury poisoning excuse for leaving the Broadway production of “Speed The Plow” last season is sufficient, and he’ll not be liable to the producers for breach of contract, or other claims. Here’s the story: Arbitrator accepts Jeremy Piven’s sushi explanation–THR, Esq. – Entertainment and Media Law. Interestingly, the show [...]

Why every writing team should have a written collaboration agreement. (part 3 of 3)

Gordon Firemark — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 06:00:16 +0000

This is the final installment of a 3-part series on the importance of collaboration agreements for every writing or other creative team. In Parts 1 and 2, I analyzed some of the important provisions found in properly negotiated and drafted collaboration agreements. Here, I’ll continue that discussion, and explain the advantages of using entertainment lawyer [...]

Why every writing team should have a written collaboration agreement. (part 2 of 3)

Gordon Firemark — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 06:00:56 +0000

This is part 2 in a series of 3 posts about the importance of collaboration agreements to writing and other creative teams. In part 1, I defined the term Collaboration Agreement, explained why such agreements are important to collaborators, and began exploring the usual terms of the collaboration agreements by looking at copyright ownership of [...]

Why every writing team should have a written collaboration agreement. (part 1 of 3)

Gordon Firemark — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 06:00:54 +0000

This is the first in a series of three posts on the importance of collaboration agreements for writing and other creative teams. What is a collaboration agreement? Any time two or more people join together to create a work such as a play, musical, song, screenplay, or any other work of art or authorship, they are [...]

New York Governor signs "Anti-Piracy Act" to prohibit use of recording devices in live & movie theatres

Gordon Firemark — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 17:30:55 +0000

New York Governor David A. Paterson has signed into law the State’s “Anti Piracy Act”, which makes it a crime to use a recording device in a motion picture or live theatre without the written consent or authority of the theatre operator. The crime is a misdemeanor for first offenders, and a repeat offense is [...]

Interview for Praxis Theatre

Gordon Firemark — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 16:17:50 +0000

I was interviewed earlier this week for Praxis Theatre’s blog. “It’s an interesting 10 qustions with…” format Here’s the link: http://praxistheatre.blogspot.com/2008/09/10-questions-gordon-p-firemark.html Related posts:Do lawyers need agents?More on Smoking Bans and the TheatreCopyrightability of Jokes

Los Angeles identified as an incubator for new Musicals. (Finally, a little recognition)

Gordon Firemark — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 00:04:22 +0000

A good piece in Backstage.com reports today on the increase in number of new Musicals opening in Los Angeles, before making the step to Broadway. Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5 is the Center Theater Group’s latest, following successes withThe Drowsy Chaperone and Curtains! The article discusses some of the advantages (talent pool, money, etc) and challenges [...]

Music Rights for plays and musicals (Theatrelawyer.com)

Settlement reached in 'Urinetown' pissing match.

Gordon Firemark — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 00:52:09 +0000

Playbill is reporting that the lawsuit against Akron, Ohio based Carousel Dinner Theatre, by the broadway team responsible for the original production of Urinetown has been settled by the parties, with the Arkon producers paying the New York team an undisclosed sum, and acknowledging the unlicensed use of elements from the New York production. According [...]

on Theatrelawyer.com – tax withholding burdens for arts presenters

Gordon Firemark — Mon, 12 May 2008 17:38:12 +0000

Over on my other site – Theatrelawyer.com, I’ve just posted an article I wrote for the Western Arts Alliance entitled “Tax Withholding: An unwieldy burden for entertainers and the organizations that hire them.” Related posts:At Theatrelawyer: Is financing harder in a down economy?Music Rights for plays and musicals (Theatrelawyer.com)

Randy Quaid Fined and Banned from Actor's Equity

Gordon Firemark — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 19:59:34 +0000

Actor Randy Quaid has been fined in the amount of $81,572, and banned from the stage actors’ union, Actor’s Equity Association for life, following the union’s investigation and a hearing to examine his alleged bad behavior during the unsuccessful Seattle run of “Lone Star Love”, a country musical based on Shakespeare’s “The Merry Wives [...]