The Stalled Barbie Sequel Is a Contract Problem, Not a Creative One. Here Is What It Teaches Independent Filmmakers.
The Barbie sequel is reportedly stalled over deals that were never made at the start. Here is what independent filmmakers can learn about their own first deal.
Who Gets to Say Yes: Digital Replica Rights and the Contracts That Protect Your Work
When a voice or likeness can be recreated by a machine, who has the right to say yes? A plain guide to the NO FAKES Act, California's new rules, and the contract language that actually protects independent productions and creators.
Your Film Is Finished. Can You Actually Sell It?
Your film is done and a distributor is interested. The paperwork you skipped in preproduction is now the only thing standing between you and your check.
Meta Pulled Its AI Likeness Feature in Four Days. Here Is What That Actually Fixed and What It Did Not.
Meta launched an AI feature that turned public Instagram accounts into raw material for image generation, then killed it four days later under pressure from SAG-AFTRA and CAA. The reversal was a win. The consent architecture behind it is still everywhere. Here is what actually changed, what did not, and what it means for your contracts.
The City of Los Angeles Wants Microdramas. Is Your Production Ready for That?
Los Angeles is exploring a $5 million subsidy for vertical microdramas. An entertainment lawyer explains what creators need before the money arrives.
What the Peppa Pig Controversy Reveals About AI Consent in Performance Contracts
Hasbro's reported requirement that child voice actors sign over their voices to AI has sparked an industry-wide response. Here is what the legal debate reveals about AI consent, perpetual licensing, and what every performer and agent needs to know before signing.
Your Face, Your Voice, Your Rights: What Content Creators Need to Know About AI and Their Likeness
Your face, your voice, and your likeness are business assets. AI has made protecting them urgent. Entertainment attorney Iris Jackson breaks down what California law requires, what is showing up in creator contracts right now, and the four things every creator needs in any agreement that touches their likeness.
How to Negotiate a Brand Deal When You Don't Have an Agent
You don't need an agent to negotiate a brand deal. You need to know what you are looking at. Entertainment attorney Iris Jackson breaks down rate counters, usage rights, exclusivity, approval timelines, and kill fees — everything creators need to negotiate like they have a team.
If You Run a Subscription Content Business, These Are the Legal Basics You Need to Know
Running a subscription content business means running a business. Entertainment attorney Iris Jackson breaks down the legal foundation every creator needs — entity structure, collaboration agreements, content ownership, DMCA protection, and when to get legal help.
What Is Actually in Your Brand Deal and Why You Should Care Before You Sign
Brand deal contracts are written for the brand. Here is what every content creator needs to understand before signing — deliverables, usage rights, exclusivity, kill fees, and approval rights in plain language.
The five contract clauses every creator and filmmaker should understand before they sign anything
Grant of rights, reversion clauses, accounting terms, morality provisions, and IP ownership and entertainment lawyer Iris Jackson breaks down the five contract clauses that matter most before you sign anything.
What the AI laws actually mean for your entertainment career right now
AB 2602 is in effect. The NO FAKES Act is advancing. The Copyright Office has weighed in on AI-generated work. Entertainment lawyer Iris Jackson breaks down what it all means for your contracts and rights today.
What every content creator needs to know before signing a brand deal
Brand deals have legal weight most creators don't see until it's too late. Entertainment lawyer Iris Jackson breaks down exclusivity, ownership, payment terms, and FTC rules every creator needs to know.
What California AB 2602 Means for Actors, Influencers, and Creators
California AB 2602 took effect in January 2025. Entertainment attorney Iris Jackson breaks down what the AI likeness protection act requires, where the gaps are, and what your contracts still need to reflect more than a year in.
What every indie filmmaker needs to know before signing a distribution deal
Exclusivity windows, reversion clauses, royalty structures, and the red flags that should give every filmmaker pause. A plain-language guide from entertainment lawyer Iris Jackson.
AI & Influencer Contracts: What Creators Must Protect in the Age of Generative Media
How AI impacts influencer contracts, likeness rights, digital clones, and synthetic content. An entertainment lawyer explains what creators must protect.
What Is Production Legal?
Production legal is the behind-the-scenes legal work that ensures a film or series can be released without delays or disputes. From contracts to clearances, here’s what every creator needs to know.
Production Legal Services: Why Delivery and Proper Contracts Are Essential for Film Success
Every filmmaker dreams about the premiere—but few realize that without the right contracts and delivery documents, their film might never make it to an audience. From chain of title to music licenses, production legal services ensure your project is not only creatively compelling but also legally airtight.
At ELLA, we help filmmakers avoid costly delays by setting up contracts correctly from day one and preparing complete delivery packages that distributors and streamers require. Because a great story deserves more than a finished cut—it deserves a successful release.