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Learn how to attract and negotiate a winning cast to your project from an entertainment lawyer who's worked with Sony, Starz, Discovery, and more...

What is the most important element in your film - that crucial piece that will land you a distributor? is it the script? The director?

For many distributors and financiers, choosing one project over another often depends on if you have a star that audiences recognize. Actors performances breathe life into a film, and their fame gives a film its marketing power which often equals financing.

To secure the right talent, you’ll have to put together your casting strategy, get their reps to pay attention, negotiate the terms of their deal, work with SAG-AFTRA, and close their deals so they are officially attached to your project. 

Not sure where to start? We'll show you how.

In this exclusive 4-part on-demand Stage 32 class, you'll learn how to reach out to talent representatives, how to attract them to your project and how to negotiate the performer’s services agreement. If you know how to do these crucial steps you can give your film or TV show its best chance of success. 

Guiding you in attracting and signing talent to your project is Thomas A. Crowell, Esq. a top entertainment attorney who has worked with Sony, Starz, Discovery, TLC, and more.

By the end of this class, you’ll understand how independent filmmakers like yourself can attach big names to your projects and how you can create a package that investors and distributors want to be a part of. You'll walk away with the understanding of your casting strategy, deciding on the correct SAG-AFTRA contract and your deal memo. 

Don’t miss out on your chance to learn from Thomas so you can land the top-tier performer your project needs and deserves!

Session 1 – Designing the Casting Strategy

Casting can be tricky and requires strategic planning to determine the order in which talent deals are negotiated. Our first session provides an overview of the issues you’ll need to deal with when casting and employing performers and provides an approach to constructing an effective casting strategy.

• Putting together a talent wish list: creative, business, and legal aspects
• Overview of legal and business issues involved in working with performers
• Preparing the production company for casting
• Building and enticing package
• A brief overview of employment law

Q&A with Thomas

Assignment: Casting strategy

Session 2 – SAG-AFTRA

In the United States, virtually every well-known film actor is a member of the SAG – AFTRA performers union. And if you want to work with any of these performers, your production company will need to become a SAG-AFTRA signatory.

• Overview of SAG-AFTRA and its impact on negotiation and dealmaking
• The process of becoming a SAG – AFTRA signatory
• SAG – AFTRA minimums and employment restrictions
• A tour of SAG – AFTRA agreements

Q&A with Thomas

Assignment: Deciding on a SAG – AFTRA contract

Session 3 – Swimming with Sharks: Working with Agents and Managers

Dealing with Hollywood agents has been described as “swimming with sharks.” In this session, we will explore the best strategies for dealing with performers' agents and managers and how to negotiate and close a performer’s services agreement deal without starting a feeding frenzy.

• Understanding the psychology and role of agents and managers
• The pros and cons of working with casting directors
• Negotiating contentious clauses
• Negotiation warning signs and how to avoid them

Q&A with Thomas

Assignment: The Deal Memo

Session 4 – Drafting the Performer’s Services Agreement

The performer’s services agreement is a complex document that must work hand-in-hand with SAG-AFTRA regulations. In this session, we will focus on drafting the language of the performer’s services agreement, with special attention to common drafting mistakes.

• The language of the performer’s services agreement
• Contract drafting “magic words”
• Focus on drafting clauses for
• engagement
• compensation
• credits
• net profits
• work for hire
• publicity and “morality clauses”

Q&A with Thomas

WHAT TO EXPECT

PLEASE NOTE: The opportunity to learn from an expert in the field in this intensive way is an incredibly unique and valuable opportunity.

• This class is designed for beginner and intermediate students looking to learn the fundamentals of attaching talent to your independent films. This is an in-depth, practical, and detailed class with significantly more content than a standard 90-minute webinar.
• This class consists of four sessions, each roughly two hours in duration.
• PLEASE NOTE: This exclusive Stage 32 class is now available to watch on-demand but we highly encourage you to do any assignments to get the most out of the educational experience.

THIS PRESENTATION HAS BEEN PREPARED FOR EDUCATIONAL AND INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. THIS IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE NOR A LEGAL OPINION. ONLY YOUR ATTORNEY CAN ADVISE YOU WHICH LAWS ARE APPLICABLE TO YOUR SPECIFIC CASE AND SITUATION. PLEASE BE AWARE THAT ANY QUESTIONS YOU RAISE DURING THE WORKSHOP ARE NOT CONFIDENTIAL. ONLY YOUR ATTORNEY CAN ADVISE YOU WHICH LAWS ARE APPLICABLE TO YOUR SPECIFIC CASE AND SITUATION. WHILE THE PRESENTER AND STAGE 32 HAVE USED REASONABLE EFFORTS TO INCLUDE ACCURATE AND UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION, NEITHER THE PRESENTER, NOR STAGE 32 MAKES ANY WARRANTIES OR REPRESENTATIONS AS TO THE ACCURACY OF THE CONTENT AND NEITHER ASSUMES ANY LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY ERROR OR OMISSION IN THE CONTENT. THIS WEBINAR IS PRESENTED ON AN “AS IS” BASIS.”

All levels of directors (advanced, intermediate and beginner) looking to attach A-list talent to their work.

All levels of writers (advanced, intermediate and beginner) looking to attach A-list talent to their work.

Producers looking to attach A-list talent to their work.

Actors looking to understand the intricacies of being an A-list talent in the industry.