Entertainment Lawyers

  Last week we saw Netflix co-CEO, Ted Sarandos, make an intriguing revelation. Apparently more than 60% of Netflix subscribers have accessed at least one piece of Korean content, being termed ‘K-content’ on the platform. The key reason? Powerful storytelling finding a global resonance with audiences. Brandon Blake , entertainment attorney with Blake & Wang P.A, is here to elaborate on this interesting revelation. The Southern Korean Content Boom It’s been hard to miss the profound impact Korean-language dramas, as well as Korean-produced content, has had on the entertainment market in the last few years. One need only look at the exponential successes of Parasite and Squid Game for that. However, they have been the star titles in a slower, more insidious, K-content boom. According to Netflix, for example, 90% of viewership for Korean romances is now coming from outside of Korea itself. Success stories in themselves, of course. But it is- or rather was- unusual to have...

 In what seems set to be the strong June we need to boost the overall summer box office, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts has managed to out-perform the long-holding Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse to finish up a vibrant and crowded weekend. Brandon Blake, of Blake & Wang P.A, our trusted entertainment attorney , unpacks the figures. Brandon Blake $61M Domestic Opening Transformers may be a marquee franchise from Paramount, but it has had a rough time since the original trilogy of movies thanks to some spotty crowd reactions and a general feeling of boredom with the direction the franchise took. Those days may be in the (transformed) rear-view window, however, at least if the  Transformers: Rise of the Beasts movie continues to hold as well as it performed this weekend. Taking in a promising $61M start domestically, it managed to finally unseat Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse from its No.1 spot. The takings total is also brushing the higher end of expect...

The rapid expansion of interest in animated film and TV products may be a key arena to watch for the future, especially across established and emerging Asian markets. With the Japanese and Korean markets already enjoying a wealth of animated features, China has now joined the fray, with the Shanghai Film Festival showcasing some superlative fare. Blake & Wang P.A entertainment attorney , Brandon Blake, shares his insight. Brandon Blake A Growing Trend This focus on Young Adult-focused, larger-scale animation products was also seen at Cannes this year- the first year where a significant Chinese presence has been able to participate since the pandemic lockdowns. We’ve also seen some fantastic Box Office gains for content in the genre, with an animated film ( Boonie Bears: The Guardian Code ) even holding at third place over the critical Lunar New Year period. After two decades of stagnation in the sector, it’s good to see such growth take over the genre. Seeking International A...

DGA Reaches Tentative Deal Ahead of Strike In a piece of breaking news that will no doubt soothe the entertainment industry greatly, it appears that the DGA and the studios have reached a deal. Tentative, but still on the table and ready for final ratification. Here’s Brandon Blake, an entertainment attorney with Blake & Wang P.A., with the news. Brandon Blake Tentative Agreement Reached With the WGA strike now entering its 34th day, and SAG-AFTRA due to head to the table with the AMPTP and vote on strike action in the next 48 hours, it’s a fraught time in Hollywood. However, at least one strike may be off the table. The prospective agreement for the DGA would see them enter a new 3-year deal, including a 76% increase in residuals from foreign platforms, a renewed focus on safety, an unprecedented reduction in hours to be worked, wage increases across the board, and some cautious controls on AI. The agreement is to be submitted to the DGA’s National Board for approval via a ...

AI: Can Actors and Studios Reach a Deal? The AI era is here, whether or not we saw it coming. Is it possible to strike a balance that protects talent without stifling technological innovation? While many of the hardcore AI tech firms would have us believe replacement is the only AI future, keen to push their products to market prominence fast, SAG-AFTRA have switched to a different approach- augmentation, not replacement. Is that truly the meeting point where actors keen to protect their roles and studios enslaved by the need to post ever-increasing profits can find common ground? Our local expert and entertainment lawyer Los Angeles from Blake & Wang P.A, Brandon Blake, tackles this thorny issue in more depth.                                                                 Brandon Blake Deep Fakes and De-Aging: A Surprising...

  A Rebrand is in the Works for Paramount Global It’s no secret that much of the growth in the streaming industry over the last year and a half has been driven by global-focused policies rather than the domestic market. With Paramount in the midst of a massive shakeup to their business, the news that a rebrand, as well as a shift in focus, for the Paramount international studios business is coming is no surprise. But what does the future hold for the changed service? Blake & Wang P.A entertainment attorney , Brandon Blake, breaks down what we know. Global Mindset, Local Execution High-end scripted content in a wealth of languages, created to drive growth for Paramount+, seems to be the name of the game for the refreshed face of Paramount Global. Replacing the ViacomCBS International Studio brand, Paramount’s business outside the US will now operate as Paramount Television International Studios, or PTIS. And they’re not shy about the intention to drive acquisitions and engagemen...

Netflix’s Surprise Announcement: No In-Person Upfronts On the eve of this year’s Upfronts, we’ve seen a strange pivot from Netflix away from their planned inaugural in-person event to a virtual presentation. With many people puzzled by the (unrevealed) reasoning behind the swap, entertainment attorney and industry insider, Brandon Blake of Blake & Wang P.A, is here to share what we know. Avoiding Picketlines? Despite the lack of given reasons for the abrupt last-minute pivot, many assume that the promised picket line strike action from the WGA slated for Upfronts week is a driving factor in the decision which will leave New York’s Paris Theater dark on their scheduled May 17th date. Instead of the planned presentation and following reception, Netflix will be putting out a streaming-only virtual presentation. They will still be sharing updates on their advertising-focused products as well as planned upcoming programming. With their ad-supported tier barely a year old, we ass...