The Entertainment Business Podcast

In this solocast episode, host Tisha Morris discusses the significant impacts of recent catastrophic fires on the entertainment industry. She talks about the decentralization of filmmaking with a shift from Hollywood to other regions and internationally.

Tisha also projects a consolidation at the top as major studios merge, while opportunities grow for independent filmmakers through new distribution models. She highlights the impending bifurcation between AI-driven and human-centric storytelling, the rise of subsidiary rights in gaming and live experiences, and the legal ramifications of generative AI.

In this episode, host Tisha Morris engages with Rob Rosenberg, founder of Telluride Legal Strategies and former Executive VP and General Counsel at Showtime, to discuss the evolving landscape of the entertainment industry. The conversation covers significant topics including the growth and challenges of streaming services, the integration of live sports and news in streaming, and the burgeoning potential of the gaming industry.

Rob shares insights on how AI is influencing Hollywood, emphasizing the importance of responsible deployment and regulation of the technology. The discussion also touches on legal concerns surrounding AI, the strategic use of technology in filmmaking, new CA legislation and its potential effects, the future of digital replicas, and the rise of indie filmmakers.

About Robert Rosenberg:

New York attorney and legal consultant Robert Rosenberg is the founder of Telluride Legal Strategies and is a former Executive Vice President and General Counsel at Showtime Networks. Rosenberg has extensive experience in establishing new businesses, expanding existing partnerships, and leveraging new technologies in both traditional and digital media, all with a pragmatic approach to measured risk-taking.

Rosenberg spent 22 years at Showtime Networks, working across digital media, sales and marketing before taking on the position of Executive Vice President and General Counsel during which he oversaw all legal affairs, including distribution, intellectual property, litigation, contracts, piracy, compliance, and regulatory matters. Prior to becoming General Counsel, Rosenberg served as both Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and as Senior Vice President, Digital Strategy.

Rosenberg played a pivotal role in developing and executing Showtime's strategic vision for streaming content. During his tenure, Rosenberg successfully negotiated high-profile deals with major industry players such as Apple, Amazon and Comcast, significantly enhancing Showtime's presence in the digital marketplace. He now runs the New York-based consulting firm Telluride Legal Strategies where he consults with companies of all sizes and serves as a problem solver working at the intersection of law, media and technology with a strong emphasis on artificial intelligence. Visit Rob at www.telluridelegalstrategies.com and connect with him on LinkedIn at @robertrosenberg.

00:34 Introducing Rob Rosenberg: Industry Leader

02:10 The Evolution and Future of Streaming

03:51 The Role of Ads in Streaming Services

06:41 Live TV and Sports in the Streaming Era

10:17 Gaming and Its Influence on TV and Movies

14:28 The Impact of AI on the Entertainment Industry

18:01 Legal and Regulatory Perspectives on AI

22:45 The Future of Digital Replicas and Deepfakes

26:10 Opportunities for Indie Filmmakers in the Digital Age

29:58 Rob Rosenberg's Work at Telluride Legal Strategies

In this episode, Tisha Morris interviews Kat Roman, an award-winning writer, director, and producer. They discuss the current shifts in the entertainment industry, Kat's journey from independent filmmaking to her role as an Executive Producer at People's Television, along with the challenges and rewards of producing content.

Kat shares insights on finding funding, managing projects, and balancing creativity with practical considerations. She also talks about her educational background, the importance of a supportive community, and her collaborative projects with her husband. The episode concludes with practical advice for aspiring filmmakers and producers.

Connect with Kat Roman at:

www.katroman.com

www.peoples.tv

www.spacecrow.tv

And on socials at: @kat_laughsalot, @peoples.tv, @spacecrow.tv

In this episode, Tisha talks with Dale Nelson, a partner at the LA-based law firm Donaldson Callif Perez, who specializes in film and television clearances. Dale delves into the essentials of legally clearing a film to avoid issues such as defamation, right of privacy, and copyright infringement.

Their discussion covers Dale’s extensive experience at Warner Brothers, where she handled major properties like Harry Potter and DC Comics, and offers practical advice for filmmakers on common clearance issues and the importance of fair use. Tisha and Dale also explore current trends and legal challenges in the industry, including those posed by AI technology.

Dale Nelson is a partner at the LA-based firm Donaldson, Callif, Perez where she works with independent filmmakers, documentarians, podcasters, and artists to help them tell their stories – their way.  Dale spent over 25 years as in-house counsel at Warner Brothers and is a frequent speaker, lecturer, and panelist on a wide range of media and intellectual property topics around the world. 

For more information on Dale’s services, visit www.DonaldsonCallifPerez.com.

For information about the book referenced, titled Clearance & Copyright, visit anywhere you buy books.

00:00 Introduction to Film Clearances

00:32 Meet Dale Nelson: Legal Expert in Film Clearances

01:26 Understanding Film Clearance and Legal Issues

03:56 Fair Use and Trademarks in Filmmaking

08:26 The Clearance Process for Documentaries

10:50 Dale Nelson's Career Journey

15:05 Life Rights and True Crime Documentaries

19:35 Trends in Source Material and International IP

22:56 AI and Copyright Infringement

27:55 Conclusion and Contact Information

In this episode, host Tisha Morris talks with Catherine Gray, producer of the documentary 'Show Her the Money.' The podcast delves into the current trend of increasing female wealth and the importance of venture capital investments, highlighting that women receive only 2% of all funding. Gray discusses her 50-city tour as a way to promote the film and encourage women to become investors.

The episode explores Gray's extensive background in advocating for women's empowerment, her journey in making the documentary, and the broader impact of investing in women-led ventures.

Listeners will gain insights into how film and television can change culture and the importance of women investing in diverse and innovative enterprises.

For more information on the film, visit ShowHerTheMoneyMovie.com

@showherthemoney

Connect with Catherine at @catherinegray_investinher and www.SheAngelInvestors.com and Catherine’s podcast at www.InvestinHerPodcast.com

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

00:32 The Wealth Shift to Women

00:46 Introducing Catherine Gray

01:45 The 50 City Tour and Its Impact

02:31 The Venture Capital Movement

07:15 The Importance of Women Investors

11:21 How the Film is Making a Difference

14:58 Resources and Next Steps

20:17 Conclusion

This episode focuses on an area that doesn’t get talked about too much, unless you count the fact that it’s a multi-billion-dollar industry that continues to grow around 9% each year just in the US. I’m talking about audiobooks.

The audiobook industry is usually discussed in terms of the author and publisher, not from the perspective of the most important part of audiobooks – the narrators. This has been an overlooked aspect of the industry—until now— with the launch of Audiobrary by award-winning narrator Julia Whelan.

In this episode, Julia discusses a new model for audiobooks that gives narrators royalties while also protecting readers from AI-generated content through Audiobrary. We discuss the future of AI in audiobooks, how Julia got her start with narration, and she spills the tea on her favorite teas! Also check out Julia’s new release Casanova LLC exclusively available on Audiobrary.com. Download the app!

Julia Whelan has been called "The Adele of Audiobooks" by The New Yorker. She is an author, screenwriter, lifelong actor, and if you listen to audiobooks at all then you know her voice as the acclaimed audiobook narrator of over 600 titles. Her recent novel, Thank You For Listening, was a Best-of-the-Year pick at Amazon, Audible, and NPR.

Julia is the founder of Audiobrary, a new audio publishing company and app, and her latest books – the 8-part romance audio series Casanova LLC debuted exclusively on Audiobrary. She is also a Grammy-nominated audiobook director, a half-decent amateur baker, and a certified tea sommelier.

Connect with Julia at @myaudiobrary and @justjuliawhelan on all platforms.

Join the revolution at Audiobrary.com and on the App.

Subscribe to the newsletter at www.audiobrary.com.

Join Host Tisha Morris for this solocast as she does a mid-year check in on her predictions for the entertainment industry in 2024. In this episode, Tisha discusses the summer’s blockbuster hit “Inside Out 2” and more proof of the success of female-led movies. Tisha also talks about the future of theaters, live events, sports, games, and of course the latest merger of Skydance and Paramount. Catch up on all the latest entertainment news!

About Tisha:

Tisha Morris, Esq. is the host of The Entertainment Business Podcast and the founder of Morris Entertainment Law PC where she practices entertainment law with the mission to help diverse voices tell their story for a better world.

Tisha is the best-selling author of five nonfiction books and has appeared on Netflix’s Depp v. Heard documentary, ABC’s Live with Kelly and Ryan, and KTLA and KCAL - Los Angeles, in addition to being featured on Hay House Radio, Today.com, Elle Decor, and Well + Good. 

Tisha is a member of the Beverly Hills Bar Association, California Lawyer for the Arts, LGTBQ+ Lawyers LA, Women in Film, Women in Music and a board member of the Ojai Film Festival. For more information, visit www.MorrisEntertainmentLaw.com.

Join Tisha in conversation with Tatiana “Tajci” Cameron, an accomplished musician, songwriter, published author, and a certified and Wellness and Holistic Life Coach, who has been a career musician for over thirty years.

Learn what it means to truly reinvent yourself, the most important advice Tajci can give young artists, and what red flags to look for in signing contracts.

From the lived experience of being a pop sensation from a young age and now a wellness coach, Tajci gives invaluable advice on how to maintain physical and mental wellbeing for artists and all creatives.

About Tajci:

Tajci’s journey began as a teenage pop sensation in Croatia. As a platinum-selling recording artist, her fame included the creation of a Barbie doll in her likeness. Despite her success, Tajci made the remarkable choice to leave her label and embark on a journey of self-discovery in New York City, studying musical theater.

Over the past three decades, she has performed at Madison Square Garden and Carnegie Hall, produced live shows across the United States, and extensively toured with her music. Her impressive career includes the release of seven albums, the creation and production of the full-length musical, co-founding a children’s theater, producing the TV show “Waking Up in America,” and authoring five multimedia books, not to mention she co-authored the song “Window in the Wall,” recorded by Olivia Newton-John.

Tajci offers a range of online courses as a coach and hosts Transformational Immersive Cruises in Croatia. She now resides in Nashville TN where she provides mentorship at the Tennessee State Prison for Women. For more information, visit www.tatianacameron and on IG at @tajcicameron.

In this episode, join Tisha as she talks with Liz Svatek, host of the award winning podcast, Conversations with Warrior Women, about the benefits of podcasting for female entrepreneurs and as a growing medium for conveying information and entertainment. Podcasting is a booming industry with a projected 504 million listeners by the end of 2024 and exponentially growing across the globe.

Liz’s podcast company, Warrior Women Podcasting, helps other women use their voice and grow their business by launching their own podcast. In addition to hosting her podcast, Liz is a Rapid Transformation Coach for Wise Women and the founder of Warrior Women, Inc., a personal growth business dedicated to womens evolution, growth, and legacy offering life changing private mastermind groups, workshops and retreats.

For more information on Liz’s programs, visit www.lizsvatek.com.

Rapid Transformational Therapy: https://www.lizsvatek.com/rtt

Warrior Women Camp: https://www.lizsvatek.com/camp

Follow Liz on instagram at @Liz.Svatek

Join Tisha Morris and her guest, Soraya Simi, as they discuss the filmmaking process. As a writer, director, and producer of film, Soraya talks about her journey from the first time she knew she wanted to be a filmmaker to her recent projects, including the documentary, Row of Life, that exemplifies the complexity of a close character-director relationship, and how the stakes in non-fiction storytelling are not imagined, but very real.

Currently, Soraya is an executive producer and co-director for a true crime series about a wrongful conviction produced by John Legend’s production company, Get Lifted.

Soraya is also the founder of the local film collective, 805 Film Co. in her hometown of Santa Barbara. For more information about Soraya, visit her website at www.sorayasimi.com and on Instagram at @sorayasimi.

Join me and my guest Rachael Cohen, author of the newly released book, SELF-CARE FOR ECO-ANXIETY, as we take a journey into blending nature, the writing process, and self-care practices during times of anxiety.

Rachael Cohen is also the author of EVERYDAY PLANT MAGIC and INFINITE SUCCULENT, and the owner of Infinite Succulent, a wellness and botanical styling company. Rachael is a Nature connector, spiritual life coach and energy medicine worker. Her previous work as an environmental educator and wild animal specialist left Rachael feeling anxious and depressed about society’s destruction of Nature. Then, a creative relationship with plants transformed her life. Now, Rachael helps people connect back with their own souls, through Nature’s infinite love and creative, intuitive and magical interactions with the natural world. Through her books, sessions, workshops and plant art and styling, Rachael shares the benefits of getting intimate and creative with Nature in sustainable ways, inspiring others to treat the Earth and themselves with compassion, respect, presence and love.

Learn more about Rachael at: infinitesucculent.com

On Instagram: @infinitesucculent

On TikTok: @infinitesucculent

Join Tisha for future episodes as she interviews authors, screenwriters, artists, filmmakers, and all content creators. Subscribe to get notified for Episode One. Coming soon!