This session looks at two distinct areas where criminal law and entertainment law intersect: when the crime is the story and when the criminals or victims are entertainment clients. The first part of the session will focus on issues producers and filmmakers will encounter when their film, TV, podcast, or theatrical project is based on a crime story - whether fictional or real (true crime) - and the legal complexities that can arise - such as life story rights, First Amendment rights, news worthiness, option contracts, publicity rights, compensation (should a murderer make a profit from his misdeeds), etc.

The second part will focus on criminal issues that may arise where the entertainment clients are victims or defendants - such as sexual harassment and assault on set in light of the “me-too” movement, the use of hip hop and rap lyrics as evidence to convict, images and gang violence depictions, publicity and fair trials (prosecutorial and jury prejudices against entertainment clients because of public stereotypes), festival frauds and cons, online/social identity theft, etc. These will be presented from the lens of an experienced entertainment attorney who understands the uniqueness of the industry and the people who populate it.