Hollywood Dealmaking

“This book is a must-have resource for anyone looking to break into Hollywood or seasoned veterans who need a quick reference guide.”––Matt Belloni, Founding Partner of Puck News and host of The Town with Matthew Belloni

The legal resources of studios and networks are legendary, often intimidating independent producers, writers, actors, directors, and others as they try to navigate through the intricate maze of negotiations. This invaluable reference presents the interests of talent as well as the point of view of creative executives, producers, entertainment attorneys, agents and managers, and key guilds—making clear the role that each plays in the dealmaking process.

Readers will find expert insights to talent and production deals for television, feature film, key streaming platforms, and other digital media, as well as an in‑depth overview of net profits and other forms of contingent compensation. Hollywood Dealmaking, Fourth Edition, also addresses changes resulting from new union agreements, and the evolution in dealmaking as global streaming platforms and FAST channels erode the past dominance of cable and linear television. In addition, this comprehensive guide includes:


Basics of copyright law and impacts of recent legislation and court decisions on the deal-making landscape
New section on non-writing executive producer (NWEP) deals
Explanations of various talent employment deals
Details of rights acquisition deals
Sample contracts and forms
Deal considerations of new technologies such as generative AI
Glossary of industry lingo and terminology
And much more!


Peppered with facts on the deals of superstar players and with summaries in each section to clarify complex legal issues, Hollywood Dealmaking is an essential resource for industry novices and veterans alike who want to sharpen their negotiation skills and successfully close each deal.