Negotiations in the Entertainment Industry

In the entertainment industry, the lack of specifics can be detrimental to a negotiated agreement.   Negotiations are the means of communicating desires and interests.  According to William Ury negotiations have grown over the years and have become more complex.  Specificity is a key element in negotiating any contract.   He states the third side of the negotiations are the heard and unheard voices of the community, the community being parties on the artist's side and the parties on the other side.  He suggests a goal of a peaceful outcome should be achieved in any negotiation.

Weissmann and Levine are entertainment lawyers in Hollywood, California who give pertinent information in a mock negotiation of a studio versus a writer.  In the example they reveal that the Writers Guild has specific guidelines that both parties must adhere to in the negotiations.  The main interests for the writer that are paramount in the negotiation are the protection of the writer’s credit and the monetary rewards (i.e., bonuses, residuals, and royalties). 

Matthew Middleton is an attorney in the entertainment industry; his main focus is on the music aspect of the industry.  Matthew Middleton suggests that it would advantageous to an artist to be as independent as possible in order to have leverage going into negotiations.  Examples of independence would be to produce and write their own material.  The more creative control the artists have the more independent he or she will be and the more monetary gains.  He also suggests that the artist be well versed on the business aspect of the industry prior to negotiations.  He spoke of a joint venture being a partnership between the artist and record company.  The record company will supply the money and the artist has control over the creative expression.

Understanding how to negotiate affectively is a skill that the talent manager must acquire in order to best represent talent.

The Lyndon Technique

The LyndonTechnique is a handbook for actors to help them land auditions, written by Amy Lyndon.  Amy Lyndon has been an Actress for over 20 years.  She is a Director & Filmmaker, Casting Director and had been a Personal Manager for 9 years. This handbook has 15 guidelines that teaches actors how to breakdown scenes to master them.  Amy points out key aspects of dissecting a “sides” (a script or a scene) and nail it in an audition for any level of acting. 

A few points that she makes:

• ·      Read it like a book 10 times
• ·      Write in one sentence what the story is about
• ·      Find your character’s emotional state at the top of the scene
• ·      The key line is the emotional spine of your character
• ·      Know what you are saying in every line
• ·      Take your time and finish the complete thought
• ·      Map out your emotions
• ·      Do not try to re-write to script
• ·      Remain humble

This handbook is a great guide for someone who cannot afford an acting technique class but who wants to begin going on auditions.

“The Actor must approach acting like an Olympic Athlete.  The more you practice the necessary skills, the more you will book.  When a high level of discipline and concentration on the work is achieved, you will see incredible results.”

                                                                                                            Amy Lyndon

www.coldreadingclasses.com

Interview with Casting Director Rachel Flanagan

In the entertainment business, building relationships are essential to your success.  My interest is in talent management and being a “newbie”, pitfalls cannot be totally avoided.  One way to circumvent mishaps is to listen to those who have been in the business for a significant period; they have a wealth of knowledge.

I reached out to Rachel Flanagan, a casting director out of Austin, Texas.  My interest was her knowledge on the entertainment industry but also what she looks for in an actor.  Most who have been in the business for a while can spot great talent in a matter of minutes. I sent a letter asking to meet and without hesitation she agreed, we spent two hours discussing the industry.

Rachel has an extensive history in the entertainment field.  She started out in the music industry where she worked with those who were just starting out as directors of music videos and who are now directors of big name movies, such as Antoine Fuqua.

Rachel not only gave great advice, she was very generous with her knowledge and contacts.  She introduced me to a talented actor, Craig Nigh, who had started acting in his early twenties in Hollywood, CA and continues to get work.  Craig allowed me to sit in on an audition taping where I read from the script with the actress and operated the video camera.  Under Craig’s direction the actress was able to come alive and make the scene believable. 

I am humbled and grateful to Rachel and Craig for their time, honesty and generosity.