Securing the Rights: Step One for Film, Television and Theater Production

As counsel in the Entertainment Department, Carolyn J. Casselman is engaged in representing individuals and companies in all aspects of the entertainment industry, including film, television, publishing, music, digital platforms and live stage. Her practice covers a range of matters such as advising financiers in connection with film and live stage investments, representing producers in the acquisition of underlying material for exploitation in a variety of media, negotiating collaboration and publishing agreements on behalf of authors, publishers and celebrity personalities, and representing directors, designers, writers, rightsholders and producers in all manner of live stage, motion picture and television transactions.

In addition, Ms. Casselman regularly advises companies in connection with mergers, acquisitions and financing transactions in the media, sports and entertainment space, spanning a range of assets and activities, including television production and programming, film libraries, music catalogs, sports teams, sponsorships and talent representation.

Ms. Casselman is an adjunct professor in the MFA program at Columbia University School of the Arts, and has guest lectured at Columbia Law School and Brooklyn College.

Gray Coleman has more than 25 years of experience in intellectual property and general business law. He handles entertainment and media transactions including theater, film and television financing and production, and music and publishing matters.

Gray acts as production counsel for a number of independent films, television series and specials, and theatrical productions on Broadway and elsewhere; guides clients in trademark selection, registration, licensing and protection; copyright registration; ownership and licensing issues; manuscript/script review for protection in all media; and a wide variety of contractual arrangements for parties working in the above industries and other businesses utilizing intellectual property.

He also assists in the licensing of name/likeness rights, famous trademarks and character rights; and in enforcement, litigation and dispute resolution support in intellectual property infringement cases.