Accelerating Toward the Inevitable: How Covid-19 Helped Alter Traditional Models of Talent Compensation in the Film Industry

Authors

• Raven Berzal, Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated a significant shift in the film industry’s talent compensation models, driven by the rise of streaming platforms and the decline of traditional theatrical releases. This transformation has moved compensation structures from backend profit-sharing to upfront payments, raising legal and contractual challenges. The Johansson v. Disney case exemplifies these disputes, highlighting the need for clearer definitions of success and compensation in the streaming era. The industry is likely to adopt hybrid models, blending upfront fees with alternative compensation methods, as streaming continues to reshape how talent is paid.

Disciplines

Entertainment, Arts, and Sports Law | Law | Legislation | Science and Technology Law

Recommended Citation

Raven Berzal, Accelerating Toward the Inevitable: How Covid-19 Helped Alter Traditional Models of Talent Compensation in the Film Industry, 41 Cardozo Arts & Ent. L.J. 279 (2023).
Available at: https://larc.cardozo.yu.edu/cardozoaelj/vol41/iss1/6