Some lawyers try cases, others shape law. Hunt solves puzzles.
Years spent representing financiers, producers, distributors and sales agents across hundreds of media projects have earned Hunt a reputation as a go-to attorney for clients - particularly banks - trying to navigate through the complicated world of film finance.
"The banks I represent, as well as clients on the producer side, often call me with something that looks like it could be a deal, but they're just not sure how it might all fit together," Hunt said. "They could have a piece of distribution collateral or a tax credit, or it could be something brand new they've never financed before. They'll look to me to vet it and to work with them to structure and see if we can turn it into a project that works."
Hunt has represented East West Bank in finance negotiations that earned green lights for films including 2015's "Hollywood Adventures" and the 2014 TV Series "Marco Polo." The former is a Chinese production filmed in Los Angeles with an estimated matter value of $20 million, while the latter, a $200 million project, was filmed in Italy, Kazakhstan and Malaysia.
Her other globetrotting projects include the Australian co-production of "Lion," worth $15 million. Fans of Martin Scorsese can thank Hunt for the upcoming film "Silence," financed by her client City National Bank. The film, with an estimated value of $25 million, is one of the biggest budget films ever produced in Taiwan.
Hunt helped score a production loan for "Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon II," the first major feature film to premiere on Netflix. That deal, worth an estimated matter value of $96 million, isn't the first time Hunt's helped break barriers through the Crouching Tiger film series.
"It's interesting, because both of them were rather groundbreaking for different reasons. The first film was a Chinese co-production, which now is common, but then was very rare," Hunt said.
Film production and law may have reputations as male-dominated industries, but Hunt isn't feeling the heat.
"Most of my clients are people that I have worked with for such a long time that gender difference doesn't seem to be a factor," Hunt said.
- Steve 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