Conflict in Entertainment

The entertainment industry is filled with incredible acts of creativity that stem from Grammy Award winning projects and Oscar Award winning films.  The stories that are being told are inspired by life experiences, historical moments, and unrealized dreams.  So what happens with the integrity of these projects is questioned?  Will the value of the work be destroyed?  Will the source of inspiration be scrutinized instead of revered?  These are important questions that lead to the recent conflicts in entertainment.  

Ablene Cooper, a 60-year-old woman who worked as a maid filed a lawsuit against Kathryn Stockett, the author of the best-selling novel "The Help."  The novel and Oscar Award Winning film were stories about black maids in the 1960s that worked for white families in Jackson, Mississippi.  Cooper argues that the character Aibileene Clark is an inappropriate depiction of her life, which has had negative impact causing emotional distress.  The potential damages to be awarded were in the amount of $75,000 due to the portrayal of the character.  The verdict in this case was in favor of Stockett and did not address the merits of the case but merely the statute of limitations for misappropriation claims of one year.  Because the author gave the plaintiff a copy of the book in 2009 and the lawsuit was not filed until 2011 the lawsuit was dismissed.  

Sony Pictures is now facing a class action lawsuit for personal data leak.  Cyber terrorism is the cause of this issue.  Although several movies were stolen, it is said that the movie, "The Interview," was the inspiration behind the cyber attack.  This film is a comedy about two journalists who conspire to kill the president of North Korea, Kim Jong-Un.  Based on severity of this claim it is believed that the persons responsible for hacking into Sony Pictures are from North Korea.  Not only did the hackers access the film prior to its release but they made it available for free download.  As many as 1.7 million free downloads have been accomplished preventing successful distribution and sale of this film in theaters. In addition to this these lawsuit artist, Yoon Mi, has filed a copyright claim for unauthorized used of her song in the movie.  

Tracy Morgan recently filed a lawsuit against Wal-Mart after being struck by one the company's driver causing an accident involving several vehicles, multiple injuries, and one fatality.  The claim includes details that the company had knowledge that the driver had not been to sleep in over 24 consecutive hours and failed to comply with the statue requiring drivers to sleep after reaching a threshold of miles prior to continuing route.  This accident cause national news on the recovery of Tracy Morgan and the issue of exhaustion among drivers in the truck driving industry.

All of these cases represent conflict in entertainment.  It is the responsibility of each employer to ensure that employees are compliant with ethical standards and applicable laws.  It is also crucial to obtain permission to use stories that are not your own and music from other artists. Each suit threatens to destroy trustworthy brands and first amendment rights.  Some cases are won by shear acts of kindness; knowledge of facts and others are won by retaliation.  It is clear and that in each case that each party is heavily armed with a team of lawyers petitioning on behalf of their clients.  There will be victories not based on the merits but mere adherence to statutes that have reached expiration.  

Happy 10th Everyone!  Tenth Child Inc Presents an inaugural networking event in Las Vegas March 27, 2015! It will feature the talent and knowledge of Grammy Award Winning artist Shaun Martin Cory Henry, Phenomenal vocalist Nikki Ross and more all of which will be captured in the best place possible... The Living Room Live is a place where all of us fell in love with music. Whether it be your first glance at Grammy's, Billboard Music Awards, American Music Awards, or the beloved Stellar Gospel Music Awards the Living Room was our first introduction to how to channel creativity. Legends like Fred Hammond, Commissioned, Official Kirk Franklin, BeBe & CeCe Winans, Vickie Winans' Friends & Family, The Clark Sisters, Dr. Ricky Dillard, O'landa Draper, James Hall, Justin Timberlake, Whitney Houston, Chaka Khan, Earth Wind and Fire, Michael Jackson, Donny Hathaway, Lalah Hathaway, Stevie Wonder, Missy Elliott, Music Soul Child, Jill Scott Timbaland and more all had their first performances on stages that launched their careers. Watching them gave young artists aspirations to play, produce, write, and sing for themselves but professionally. If you desire to hear first hand from artists who navigate between their own creativity and the launch and support of mainstream artists we know and love then meet us here at the The Living Room Live! Once you've been inspired by our featured guests get ready to turn all the way up with a live performance set featuring Doobie Powell . You don't want to miss this!!! Musicians! Come prepared to shed! Independent artists come prepared to learn, network! Music Industry come be reminded of real music and answers to help get this music into the market where it belongs! Media come ready to get the exclusive on what's next and who's ready to launch! Don't Miss This Opportunity!

Michael Bethany is a man of power and influence who toggles between roles of husband, father, leader, and artist.   He is a native of St. Louis, Missouri and resident of Dallas, Texas.   In the role of marriage there are obvious negotiations being conducted.  Similar deals occur as a father but all negotiations have rules and in the role of leader and artist there are several best practices at play when Michael Bethany is solidifying a deal.

Michael Bethany served as General Manager of Fred Hammond Family Entertainment (FHFE) oversight of daily operations, product development, and vendor management of merchants and retailers for a number of years.  During his tenure negotiations and deal making were primary activities to development a successful methodology for critical contracts.  “Everyone wants something for nothing because the risk is that they will invest in something that may not sell” says Bethany.  Because of this fact it is critical to negotiate for the winning situation for each party.  To ensure product is available to the market it is critical for merchants to purchase in bulk but most retailers begin negotiation to purchase small at wholesale rates, which limits their risk of exposure. 

The key to successful negotiations is in knowing your opponent.  Bethany recalls that becoming familiar with the other party will open the door to familiarity.  Defenses are minimal and the interest to partner is more apparent than the need for product placement.  A long-term relationship or brand alignment is more valuable than the units to be sold.  When merchants adopt an artist they become a resource to connect fans directly to the artists music, literature, or films.  To accomplish this may mean that you allow merchants to enter into a consignment deal instead of the standard retail purchase agreements.  The focus has to remain on the product and not solely on the interests of both parties to accomplish the sale of the artist product. 

The experience as General Manager at FHFE has benefited his role as Executive Worship Director at Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship here in Dallas, Texas.  His management of people and scheduling of all creative aspects of fellowship at the church has opened doors for additional deal making and negotiations of existing and potential future contracts.  Having these responsibilities also open the door for conflicts while doing business in a Christian environment. Dealings in this space can’t be harsh or filled with haggling because it can have rippling effects spiritually.  However, its still important to be prepared before negotiations and concentrating on the opportunities at stake and mitigating risk for both parties. 

Crowdfunding…

With the current climate of lending being less liberal having more stringent criteria it is nearly impossible to finance your business, project, or idea without depleting your personal savings.  The U.S. economy has been hit with such huge impacts in the primary and secondary market that lending institutions are less likely to fund dreams or buy into ideas that show no profit potential.  Crowdfunding has the latest tool in fundraising innovation that can help raise capital to fund your project or business.  Currently the American securities laws will not allow for contributors to secure a return on projects funded by crowd funding but this concept is largely accepted in the U.K. and Australia according to Business Lawyer, Mark Mohler.  

Full Sail University Program Director, Ron Cook, shares his thoughts on crowdfunding and its affect on the entertainment business.  Cook explains that this is a way of expanding your family network of financial contributors that are connected with your purpose and dream and is not considered a loan but a donation of purpose.  The power of this tool has immediate benefits.  Your mission is funded, all donations are acknowledged, and each giver now has personally attached to your mission as a result of the tier level descriptions for each gift. 

Donation and rewards based funding is largely accepted and gaining momentum across the country among several platforms. Indigogo, Kickstarter, and RocketHub that are high grossing crowdfunding platforms with variances in commission, disbursement criteria and published releases.  Approximately 43% of projects are funded according to Kickstarter and half were less than $10,000.  John Nash, course director at Full Sail University, mentions success in crowdfunding happens when you consider what’s important to the funder.  He states that the “crowd” in crowdfunding is the most important component of this practice.  Each giver that connects to your mission is now connected to the execution of your project through shared ideas and best practices highlighted in a compelling story.   

As the use of crowdfunding becomes more widespread among entrepreneurs and within our economy it is possible that more laws will be created to protect the investor and subject to federal regulations. The more we move away from the conventional practices of lending without credit, collateral, and record of success it is possible that contributors will begin to consider the limitations in donating funds without the benefits of being an investor.  Governing authorities may insert practices to ensure that raising capital independently of lending institutions may have adverse affects for the project owner, but for now crowdfunding is clearly a depository for donations among contributors with shared goals and likeness of mind.

Influence

From the time I was 10 years old I have heard that I possess wisdom beyond my years.  It has been gift and curse because some cannot determine my age at first glance and those that are familiar with my age perceive my views as weighted.  I choose to find value in my innate abilities to question what is in front of me, hear what is not said, and see what is not in front of me.  I enjoy discernment and live naturally in a spiritual state that relies on something greater than myself for inspiration and direction. 

In viewing TED Speaker, Jessica Jackley, I have connected with her views on poverty, money, and love.  At the core of her message we are reminded that social media messages have influenced our decisions to sow seed in the ground to reap a harvest of change.  If we are seen performing a task in accordance with moral laws we can free ourselves from the burdens that are often portrayed in the images we see of poverty.  We are often shown the existing lack and not the resource to remove lack from the equation. 

I think its compelling that our view on poverty is controlled by media.  Chris Anderson said it best when he described that our brains are processing more data through video than transcripts.  By being able to access experts through video has opened our minds to achievement.  Innovation is within us and now within reach.  Not only can we change the images of poverty but we can also share new images of innovation in the midst of poverty. 

We have the power to change the image of lack with a name, a place, or a new idea.  We can also discover that once we put ourselves in the midst of poverty that we will be reminded of our power to influence the definitions of lack and how the worlds sees it.  Africa as we view it is now synonymous with HIV/AIDS, and filth inspiring giving through an appeal to the abundance of bare necessities easily accessible in other countries.  Africa through the eyes of an African will prove that they too are influenced through the messages they receive from around the globe. 

The Internet has provided and on going dialogue among people around the world.  Everyday millions of people are able to post an idea or message to any group of people.  To influence the world we must decide to teach from our own expertise which includes the growth from our initial place as a novice by sharing the inward journey through our own discernment and voice leading us to address our feelings about the negative images we see and where to sow our seed. As we continue to process information we can inspire others and obtain cause or cash investors for our own mission.