Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC
The Firm
201-896-4100 info@sh-law.comFirm Insights
Author: Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC
Date: July 7, 2016
The Firm
201-896-4100 info@sh-law.comStarring in reality tv is not for everyone. It is important to remember that part of the reason why is the transition to public life and how participants are legally allowed to handle it.
Allison Barnard, a wellness coach for reality tv cast members based in Los Angeles, broke down the perils of stardom via such a program on New Hampshire Public Radio’s Word of Mouth segment. The guest spot followed a profile in Broadly. NHPR tweeted a link to the segment.
Barnard explained that she grew up when reality TV programs were just catching on with audiences, and then witnessed the very public struggles of the participants several years down the road. While not every cast member deals with these issues, it is important for participants to understand just what they are getting into.
Part of the issue is the agreements people sign prior to starring in these shows. Barnard called reality TV a “social experiment” while noting that it is nearly impossible to behave normally in the situations these sorts of programs call for. These circumstances shape characters that may not exist in real life, though viewers will be led to believe they do. There is little that cast members can do to fight this perception due to the contracts they sign.
These agreements typically give producers free reign to edit film in an effort to create more dramatic situations, and cast members are legally barred from explaining their side of the story. In other countries, Barnard explained, some reality shows actually begin with disclaimers informing the audience that some of the situations depicted are dramatized or scripted. She noted that often this is enough to separate the false personas of participants from their real selves.
However, in the US, these disclaimers aren’t typically used, making it more difficult for the audience, and oftentimes the stars themselves, to separate the TV character from the real person. Contract provisions prohibiting disclosures about what goes on during filming and giving producers permission to create dramatized situations only enforces the emergence of the false persona.
Reality TV participants, or people who will soon be cast members, should go over their contracts with experts to learn more about non-disclosure clauses and similar provisions. In addition, they should prepare for what may come both during and after filming.
If you’re signing a reality TV agreement soon, but would like to learn more about provisions within the agreement, as well as what you can do to make the transition to public life easier, speak with an entertainment attorney.
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
If you’re considering closing your business, it’s crucial to understand that simply shutting your doors does not end your legal obligations. Unless you formally dissolve your business, it continues to exist in the eyes of the law—leaving you exposed to ongoing liabilities such as taxes, compliance violations, and potential lawsuits. Dissolving a business can seem […]
Author: Christopher D. Warren
Contrary to what many people think, corporate restructuring isn’t all doom and gloom. Revamping a company’s organizational structure, corporate hierarchy, or operations procedures can help keep your business competitive. This is particularly true during challenging times. Corporate restructuring plays a critical role in modern business strategy. It helps companies adapt quickly to market changes. Following […]
Author: Dan Brecher
Cryptocurrency intimidates most people. The reason is straightforward. People fear what they do not understand. When confusion sets in, the common reaction is either to ignore the subject entirely or to mistrust it. For years, that is exactly how most of the public and even many in law enforcement treated cryptocurrency. However, such apprehension changed […]
Author: Bryce S. Robins
Using chattel paper to obtain a security interest in personal property is a powerful tool. It can ensure lenders have a legal claim on collateral ranging from inventory to intellectual property. To reduce risk and protect your legal rights, businesses and lenders should understand the legal framework. This framework governs the creation, sale, and enforcement […]
Author: Dan Brecher
For years, digital assets operated in a legal gray area, a frontier where innovation outpaced the reach of regulators and law enforcement. In this early “Wild West” phase of finance, crypto startups thrived under minimal oversight. That era, however, is coming to an end. The importance of crypto compliance has become paramount as cryptocurrency has […]
Author: Bryce S. Robins
Earlier this month, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision in Ames v. Ohio Department of Youth Services vitiating the so-called “background circumstances” test required by half of federal circuit courts.1 The background circumstances test required majority group plaintiffs pleading discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act to meet a heightened pleading standard […]
Author: Matthew F. Mimnaugh
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Consider subscribing to our Firm Insights mailing list by clicking the button below so you can keep up to date with the firm`s latest articles covering various legal topics.
Stay informed and inspired with the latest updates, insights, and events from Scarinci Hollenbeck. Our resource library provides valuable content across a range of categories to keep you connected and ahead of the curve.
Let`s get in touch!
Sign up to get the latest from the Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC attorneys!