Theatre Legal Blog Idea

[ProdDesign1]

Posted: 9/14/18 at 2:32pm

All,

I am a young attorney, huge theatre fan, and love seeing all your posts on this board. I am not currently fully practicing entertainment law, but it is a field I want to immerse myself in later in the future. I have in the past had some legal blogs that have picked up some readers and such and was just wondering if anyone here would be interested in blog concerning only theatre legal issues, famous theatre related cases, and any interesting court filings in regards to the theatre community. This wouldn't be a blog dealing with legal issues of certain actors specifically, but a blog dealing with theatre and fine arts legal issues.

Thanks!

[dramamama611]

Posted: 9/14/18 at 2:37pm

It certainly could be interesting!

[ProdDesign1]

Posted: 9/14/18 at 2:40pm

dramamama611 said: "It certainly could be interesting!"

Had the idea as I was searching on one of my legal data bases Broadway related cases and came across a lot of suits involving the origination of Phantom of the Opera, so much about the infamous Rebecca, Wicked, etc.

 

[zainmax]

Posted: 9/14/18 at 2:41pm

Good idea. Forbes generally covers legal news on Bway. https://www.forbes.com/sites/marchershberg/

[SomethingPeculiar]

Posted: 9/14/18 at 3:04pm

It could be interesting! 

That said: Connections to industry figures (producers, general managers, theatre owners, nonprofit leaders, other lawyers, etc.) to interview them and get further takes will be a key to your success. To be totally honest, if you don't have a wealth of experience working in entertainment law (and, specifically, Broadway law), your work might be met with skepticism by the people who make shows happen, since theatre law can be a thorny subject. And scooping stories before the Forbes guys or Michael Riedel or Philip Boroff will be important in getting your name out there!

[ProdDesign1]

Posted: 9/14/18 at 3:35pm

SomethingPeculiar said: "It could be interesting!

That said: Connections to industry figures(producers, general managers,theatre owners, nonprofit leaders, other lawyers, etc.) to interview them and get further takes willbe a key to your success.To be totally honest, if you don't have a wealth of experience working in entertainment law (and, specifically, Broadway law), your work might be met with skepticism by the people who make shows happen, since theatre law can bea thorny subject. And scooping stories before the Forbes guys or Michael Riedel or Philip Boroff will be important in getting your name out there!"

Thank you all for your input!  Now one more question.  What types of articles/posts would you expect/like to see on a Theater Blog dedicated to Legal Issues?

[zainmax]

Posted: 9/14/18 at 4:19pm

Famous cases might be interesting.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 9/14/18 at 4:48pm

I think for me, what sounds interesting would be things like the recent case between Sorokin and the estate for Mockingbird.

I wouldn't care about contract disputes.

[zainmax]

Posted: 9/14/18 at 4:53pm

dramamama611 said: "I think for me, what sounds interesting would be things like the recent case between Sorokin and the estate for Mockingbird.

I wouldn't care about contract disputes."

But, that actually was a contract dispute!

[dramamama611]

Posted: 9/14/18 at 5:01pm

Yes, you are likely correct. I guess I should have said things concerning creative aspects more so than financial ones.

[SomethingPeculiar]

Posted: 9/14/18 at 5:21pm

A combination of current events, and new insight on significant incidents from the past, featuring firsthand knowledge and commentary of people involved from both sides. Legal "scandals" are probably the most interesting to read about, and also the most challenging to get people on-the-record about. Further summary of things that have already been discussed to death (Spiderman, Mockingbird, Rebecca, Jonathan Pryce/Saigon, etc.) won't be particularly interesting.

Like I said before, this could be very intriguing if done well.

[zainmax]

Posted: 9/14/18 at 5:34pm

If John Breglio wrote a blog, then I'd read it. Too bad he doesn't practice anymore!

[HogansHero]

Posted: 9/14/18 at 5:36pm

I think it is a great idea for you and I would read it. 

My advice would be to start small and not try to be comprehensive or feel the need to blog on everything that comes down the pike. Being right in what you post is far more important than being exhaustive. (You know, quality or quantity and all that.) My other advice would be to write about what interests you, without feeling the need to address subjects because you think they will interest others.

I wouldn't fret much about Forbes. They have proven to be shockingly inept and naive in what they have written about theatrical issues. And to that point, I'd add that you should be careful not to write things you are not sure you understand. Get advice or input if you are unsure. The best way to lose credibility is to guess. (I'm sure you learned that in law school; if not, you should have!

[HarmoniaGardens]

Posted: 9/16/18 at 5:15pm

I'd love to learn more about how "Broadway law" functions - does one specific firm specialize in this area, or do theatrical organizations have in-house counsel, or do they just hire independent lawyers? 

 

[zainmax]

Posted: 9/16/18 at 5:37pm

HarmoniaGardens said: "I'd love to learn more about how "Broadway law" functions - does one specific firm specialize in this area, or do theatrical organizations have in-house counsel, or do they just hire independent lawyers?

"

It's a mix. Maybe seven firms handle the transactional work on Broadway, the theatre owners (except Nederlander) have in-house counsel, and they sometimes hire outside counsel to handle their work.

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 9/17/18 at 1:06am

"Thank you all for your input! Now one more question. What types of articles/posts would you expect/like to see on a Theater Blog dedicated to Legal Issues?"

As a lyricist/librettist, I'd love to see a blog article on recent (last couple of decades) changes to copyright law. Frankly, I can't keep up as movie studios and TV networks strong-arm Congress to protect their copyrights.

I will agree with some posters above that your ability to interview industry figures may affect the popularity of your blog. When I worked in management (hundreds of years ago), I was shocked at how much was governed by "convention" and had never been decided by statute or court ruling. Despite its fame/infamy, the business of theater is very small ("40 people total", one GM told me) and everyone knows everyone. So even though the law only says "X", everyone knows "X" has always implied "Y" and "Z" as well.