When an established television creator, film director or a star is looking to negotiate a better contract," is negotiating a contract, they hire a lawyer. When they're established and looking to negotiate a better contract, they hire Gendler.
Gendler said his clients have often come to him to "re-engineer" their deals to include more favorable terms once they've gained some leverage, either through a project's success or a growing reputation.
"It's much more of a business negotiation," he said. "It requires a great deal of research and preparation, meaning to do it properly you need to really understand the value of the widget. It's a show, it's a wonderful creative thing, but you have to understand [that the studios funding the work] are there to make money."
Shonda Rhimes, the creative mind behind such hits as "Scandal," "How to Get Away with Murder," and "The Catch," became Gendler's client in 2014. That same year, Gendler helped Rhimes ink a new four-year contract with ABC Studios Inc. Though Gendler declined to discuss the specifics of the deal, media outlets have reported the extension was in the eight-figure range.
Other currently on-air series Gendler has had a hand in include "Scorpion," "Hawaii Five-O," and the long-running "NCIS" and its various spinoffs.
Most recently, he helped longtime client Meryl Streep negotiate a deal with Warner Bros. for a limited series run of "The Nix," based on a novel of the same name. In addition to starring in the series, Streep will serve as executive producer alongside "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" director J.J. Abrams. Streep's role in the project was announced Sept. 12.
Though the numbers attached to a deal often end up being the biggest news item, Gendler has found his clients are equally interested in preserving their creative control over a project. And with the success of cable alternatives such as Netflix and Hulu, there are more options for actors and writers to express themselves creatively than ever.
As evidence, Gendler pointed to three deals he's recently helped negotiate on behalf of longtime client David E. Kelley — one for Amazon Prime's video service, one for ATT DirecTV's video service and one for HBO.
"Now with all these new services, we have leverage again — the front door leverage, as opposed to after the fact," Gendler said. "The deals are wide open, and they're not set in stone. It's a good time to be an entertainment lawyer."
— Steven Crighton
For reprint rights or to order a copy of your photo:
Email
Jeremy_Ellis@dailyjournal.com
for prices.
Direct dial: 213-229-5424
Send a letter to the editor:
Email: letters@dailyjournal.com