LEARN THE FINE ART OF CONTRACT NEGOTIATION
FOR CREATIVE PROFESSIONALS
Talent representative George Watson and Attorney Eric Vaughn-Flam will
Discuss Ways to Protect Against Unfair Liability and Exploitation
November 1, 2004 - Paramus, NJ - When you complete a job as
a creative professional, what rights do you have to your finished work? Do
you have a contract that specifies how and where your work can appear? Do
you know what should and should not be included in your contract? Have you
negotiated a contract that does not leave you exposed to unfair liability
and exploitation? These questions and many others will be addressed in the
Wednesday, November 10th meeting of the NJ Creatives Network in Paramus, NJ,
at the Bergen Museum of Art and Science, located on the lower level of the
Bergen Mall. Networking begins at 7:30 p.m. and the meeting and program
begin at 8 p.m. The meeting is free for members, $10 for non-members and $5
for students who show proper identification. Refreshments are available
during the networking portion of the meeting.
George Watson, co-owner of Watson & Spierman, a New
York-based firm specializing in the representation of photographers and
illustrators, and Eric Vaughn-Flam, senior litigation partner in the New
York law firm of Rubin Bailin Ortoli Mayer & Baker, will offer important
tips on how creative professionals can protect themselves and their creative
work from contracts that unfairly exploit artists, writers, graphic
designers, illustrators, photographers and all other creative professionals.
"Too many creative professionals do not know or understand their rights and
too many clients can take advantage of that," said Watson. "As an
experienced talent representative, I've learned over the years how to
negotiate the best possible contracts for my clients and what they need to
know before signing a contract."
The speakers will also cover copyright, work-for-hire and
indemnity issues and share practical tips and examples from clients they
have represented. "We will advise writers, artists, illustrators,
photographers and agents on negotiating skills to create a good contract and
save them from unfair exposure, liability and exploitation, while still
enabling them to secure jobs in a time when there are not enough jobs to go
around," Watson said.
Watson began his career in advertising in 1980, working as a
stylist. In 1981, he took a position with Kan Photography as an in-house
stylist/producer. In mid 1981, he moved on to become Kan's photography
representative, landing, in his first year, major advertising campaigns for
Pepsi, JVC, and Alfa Romeo. In 1988, he began representing other
photographers and formed a partnership named Watson & Kramer
Representatives. In 1993, he merged with Shelley Spierman to form Watson &
Spierman Productions, Inc.
"Shelley and I both had backgrounds as stylists and
producers in print photography and were very involved in the production side
of our photographers' work, Watson said. "We now offer full production
services to our clients, which makes their lives easier and allows us to be
more than just sales people." Watson has also served as President of SPAR,
The Society of Photographers and Artists Representatives, from 2000 to the
present. His firm, Watson & Spierman, now represents 13 photographers and 8
illustrators and also has a fine art gallery in NoHo, New York, Watson &
Spierman Fine Art, located on the web at
www.watsonspierman.com/fineart. His firm's web address is
www.watsonspierman.com.
Eric Vaughn-Flam is currently Senior Litigation Partner in
the New York law firm of Rubin Bailin Ortoli Mayer & Baker, LLP. For 20
years, Vaughn-Flam has specialized in entertainment and has broad experience
in copyright and trademark, music, film, television, electronic
distribution, licensing, and multi-media. He is currently lead counsel in
the well-publicized lawsuit Dallal vs. The New York Times. In recent years,
he has served as lead counsel in the $150 million management dispute of
Hootie and the Blowfish vs. Newman. Previously, he served as President of
Cook Records. A partial listing of his past and present clients includes
Hootie and the Blowfish, La Toya Jackson, Sheryl Crow, 20th Century Fox, NBC
and the Disney Corporation.
Begun in 1984 by three freelance professionals, NJ Creatives
Network, formerly known as S.W.A.N., has grown into a successful non-profit
organization that boasts a diverse membership of talented professionals.
Members include writers, designers of print and web media, illustrators,
photographers, video producers, public relations specialists and other
creative professionals. For more information on the October meeting, please
contact NJ Creatives President
Stan Cohen
at 201-384-9784 or visit the Membership Section of the website at
www.njcreatives.org. To find out
more about joining NJ Creatives, please contact Membership Director
George Kamper
at 973-394-9974.
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