"The Essential Guide to Entertainment Law is just that -- and is worth its weight in gold."
Gray Frederickson
Film Educator and a Producer of Godfather II (Academy Award), Apocolypse Now, and The Outsiders
"Jay Shanker and Kirk Schroder have produced a truly comprehensive book on the business and legal aspects of the major fields in the entertainment industry. Although meant for entertainment lawyers and executives, this book is also a manual for all creative talent who want to understand this business."
Margot Shetterly
Author of Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Who Helped Win the Space Race
"Having spent my legal career tackling many of the topics addressed by these volumes, I can’t think of a more comprehensive Entertainment Industry legal reference to keep within reach of my desk – or yours."
Michael Sinder
New York Theater Attorney, former Director of Business affairs for Frankel Green Theatrical Management, and Wm. Morris agent.
"I’ve turned to Jonathan Reichman on numerous occasions for guidance on complicated intellectual property law issues of concern to my entertainment industry clientele. Many of these questions (and more) are masterfully addressed in the Essential Guide to Entertainment Law: Intellectual Property."
Michael Sinder
New York Theater Attorney, former Director of Business affairs for Frankel Green Theatrical Management, and Wm. Morris agent.
"The intricacies and details of the legal aspects of theater are skillfully and precisely outlined in this book. It's not an easy task, and the authors spell everything out so clearly that even this non-lawyer can understand it all! I was very impressed by how easily things are explained, and I can think of no better guide to help anyone through every step needed in producing for the theater."
Theodore S. Chapin
President, The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization
"If asked to recommend a one stop read on legal fundamentals for entertainment industry dealmaking, this 2-volume series would be high on my list. Gail Ross’ chapter on the literary publishing industry is superb!"
Jeff Wilson
VP Contracts, Simon & Schuster
“Having been a client of Justin’s, and now partner on a show, I can attest to his acumen and expertise in ALL legal issues associated with reality television production. There is no doubt that his guidance, insight and knowledge is second-to-none.”
Marc Summers
Host, Double Dare and Unwrapped, Executive Producer, Restaurant: Impossible
“Ken Basin has given us a great primer in the nuts and bolts of the rapidly evolving television business -- told with insight, brevity, and wit. Basin's experience on both sides of the buyer/seller equation really shows through, and makes this book a valuable tool for anyone who wants to understand the business side of the shows we love to watch.”
Dan Scharf
Amazon Studios, Head of Business Affairs
“Things are changing so quickly in the entertainment industry, professionals in every sector of the business are struggling just to keep up. I can think of no more current or focused resource concerning the rapidly evolving medium of television than Ken Basin's chapters on this topic, and no one more qualified or capable than Ken to serve as a guide through this challenging landscape.”
Nick La Terza
Partner with law firm The Point Media, and former senior legal/business executive for Largo Entertainment, New World Pictures, and Alliance Atlantis Entertainment
“This is must-read material from an entertainment industry insider, and will provide an in-depth look into non-scripted (reality) television production.”
Hayden Meyer
Board Member, Partner and Head of Alternative & Factual Programming, Agency for the Performing Arts
“Steve Monas knows what he’s talking about—he has seen these deals from every side, and lived to tell the tale!”
Carolyn Blackwood
President, New Line Cinema (Content, Strategy and Operations)
"Steve Monas is one of the top lawyers in the independent film distribution business, and he has brought his thirty-plus years of experience to bear in his chapter on Motion Picture distribution. Clear and concise, practical and interesting, filled with practical tips derived from actual sample agreements, this chapter will be of use to practitioners interested in developing expertise in these types of transactions, and even experienced attorneys will find it informative. It is so well-written that I plan to assign it to my motion picture seminar students, as soon as available."
Jay Dougherty
Professor of Law & Director, Entertainment/Media Law Institute & Concentration Program Loyola Law School (Los Angeles)
"I have worked with Steve Monas multiple times during his career in the film business. His knowledge of motion picture distribution is second to none. I strongly suggest that anyone looking to break into this area of our business should read Steve’s chapter on Motion Picture Distribution. It is both concise and complete. A must read."
Mark Damon
CEO Foresight Unlimited; Producer: Monster, Lone Survivor, Das Boot
"Steve Monas' excellent chapter on Motion Picture Distribution is a lively and illuminating mixture of comprehensive substance and insightful anecdotes all mined from Steve's wealth of professional experience. A thorough and engagingly readable guide for current or future legal practitioners and executives alike...or anyone interested in the intricacies of motion picture distribution agreements."
Adam Platnick
Former President New Regency Productions and Mandalay Pictures
"Steve Monas' chapter on Motion Picture Distribution is so well-written and so full of practical insights and useful tips that even after my own 30 years in the business, I found it exceptionally enlightening and engaging. I can only imagine how incredibly helpful it'll be for anyone at the beginning of an entertainment career or looking to break into this area."
Marla Levine
General Counsel and Head of Business Affairs Revolution Studios; Co-Producer, XXX3—The Return of Xander Cage
"What we have waited for: Robert William’s very instructive chapter on Motion Picture Finance is a comprehensive compendium of the Whys and Wherefores of film financing and will serve as a profound work of reference for details in our day to day practice. Rob presents an encouragingly readable guide for all film lawyers and will foster comprehension of this complex matter even among industry participants outside the Hollywood legal crowd."
Philip Löhr
General Counsel, Tele München Group
"Rob Williams has written a comprehensive overview on the process and core foundations of motion picture financing. The chapter provides a sophisticated level of practical detail, and in my view will be an excellent resource for interested parties."
Piers Tempest
Co-founder, Tempo Productions (UK); Producer, The Wife, Churchill and The Journey among others.
"Since film financing has become a global challenge more so than a local endeavor, the overview and insights presented by Robert Williams in his chapter addressing motion picture financing provides precious and unique information for all industry experts. Thank you and well done, Robert!"
Dr. Andreas Psechel -Mehner
Film and Entertainment Lawyer, Partner with SKW Schwarz (Munich)
"Rob Williams’ eminently readable chapter on motion picture financing is a testament to both his intellect and the depth and breadth of his experience in this field. Highly recommended."
Lucy Wainwright
Head of Business Affairs at Raindog Films
"Cohen and Nix have written a primer that should be used by entertainers and their professional advisers in order to guide them down the right path in their tax planning. They have clearly addressed the specific tax and estate areas unique to the industry."
Michael Karlin
Partner, Nigro Karlin Segal Feldstein & Bolno (Accountants and Business Managers LA/NYC)
"Drawing on their extensive experience as long-term entertainment tax lawyers, Brad and Shane have created a comprehensive summary of the important issues my clients need resolved. They provide great insight into the goals and challenges of estate and tax planning for those in the entertainment industry and how to achieve the best results for their businesses."
Robert Blashek, Esq.
Tax Partner, O'Melveny & Myers
"In my 50 years of navigating this industry - shepherding projects from book to stage to screen and back again - I’ve rarely encountered such a comprehensive yet accessible reference on Entertainment law and business. Highly recommended!"
Max Weitzenhoffer
Olivier and Drama Desk award winning, and Tony award nominated, producer of New York and London theater productions, and the owner of six London West End theaters.
"As the managing partner at Singer Burke Zimmer, LLP, I am eager to have a concise resource available that covers the complex legal and taxation environment as it relates to the Entertainment Industry, especially with the level of detail and transparency that Shane and Brad have brought to this subject matter. I highly recommend this book to the tax practitioner, as well as the non-tax practitioner, for an in-depth look at the intricacies and opportunities of today’s changing laws, including the recently enacted Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Congratulations on a book that is bound to help many entrepreneurs, as well as established business owners, as they start/continue their journey. Job Well Done!"
Matthew A. Burke (SPA, CFP)
Managing Partner, Singer Burke Zimmer, LLP
“I can’t imagine a better gateway to understanding the ins and outs of providing (and benefitting from) competent legal representation in the entertainment industries.”
John Huncke
SVP Strategy and Business Development STARZ, a Lionsgate Company
“The Essential Guide To Entertainment Law should be required reading for everyone seeking to bring an entertainment project to Philadelphia (or any City at all)! It will certainly make my job easier!”
Sharon Pinkenson
Executive Director, Greater Philadelphia Film Office
"An impressive distillation of case law, statutes, contracts and concepts central to entertainment industry business and legal transactions."
Vance Van Petten
National Executive Director/COO, the Producers Guild of America
"Anyone with an interest in this specialized field of law would be wise to have this worthy book on their shelf. It covers pretty much everything dealmakers in our industry are frequently concerned about with insightful commentary, identifying the applicable laws and providing a host of helpful advice based on experience. Well done!”
David Baldacci
Best-selling Author of more than 24 novels, including Absolute Power (made into the Clint Eastwood film)
"I am a mediator and arbitrator in the entertainment industry (following a long career as an entertainment attorney and studio/network business affairs executive). Having a thorough understanding of both basic law and dealmaking custom and practice in this industry is essential to my work. The Essential Guide to Entertainment Law delivers on both - and I suspect that if more lawyers, executives, entrepreneurs and artists in the entertainment industry familiarized themselves with EG2EL before entering into their contracts, it might lighten my case load."
Fred Kuperberg
Managing Partner, Schuyler Road Advisors, and former EVP and General Counsel, Disney/ABC Cable Networks Group
"We (Sierra Club) now own three sets of The Essential Guide to Entertainment Law. We knew we could gain valuable insights into the subject matter from anything Jay Shanker and his colleagues would offer."
Louis Barnes
Chief Financial Executive, Sierra Club
“I love this set of books! I recommend it to students and colleagues all the time. Each chapter is like having a personal mentor who is an expert in the field at your fingertips.”
Victoria Wasinger, Esq.
Department Chair, Entertainment & Music Business Bachelor of Science Program, Full Sail University