The Screen Lawyer Podcast
Have you ever wondered how the content on your screen got there? Who created it, owns it, and how can you do it too? If you're a content creator, filmmaker, producer, artist, or just love scrolling through entertainment, you've probably asked yourself these questions and more. Join Entertainment & Intellectual Property attorney, Pete Salsich - The Screen Lawyer – and his occasional guests as they explore different aspects of screen content. From intellectual property protection and business contract structures to emerging technology and good old-fashioned storytelling and behind-the-scenes magic, they've got you covered. Tune in monthly for new episodes where they discuss #WhatsOnYourScreen and bring you valuable insights and tips.
Episodes
In this episode of The Screen Lawyer Podcast, Pete Salsich discusses how Missouri’s film tax credit is making a real impact on productions. He takes you behind the scenes of two projects he worked on from start to finish, an independent feature film and a television pilot, that both went from financing to world premiere in less than a year.
Pete shares the story of Dust to Malibu, a moving road trip drama starring Tim Daly and Shell...
In this episode of The Screen Lawyer Podcast, Pete Salsich breaks down the real-world copyright risks filmmakers face when using AI tools. With no final court rulings yet on AI training and copyright, and the Copyright Office denying protection to fully AI-generated works, filmmakers must tread carefully.
Pete discusses a candid conversation with a filmmaker navigating these issues and offers practical advice on how to protect your...
In this episode of The Screen Lawyer Podcast, host Pete Salsich talks with filmmaker and former teacher Eric Norwine, co-founder of Covered Bridge Studios. Eric shares his journey from St. Charles, MO, to LA’s film scene (Funny or Die), and back home to build a Midwest production hub. He discusses his mental health struggles, the power of Missouri’s film tax credit, and his latest documentary Queen of the Base, about an Afghan refu...
In this episode of The Screen Lawyer Podcast, Pete Salsich chats with Dallas-based filmmaker King Hollis about his path through the film industry, from early projects to navigating the realities of independent filmmaking.
They cover storytelling, representation, creative problem-solving, and the business side of bringing ideas to life. Whether you're a filmmaker, creative, or just curious about how films get made, there's ...
In this episode of The Screen Lawyer Podcast, host Pete Salsich welcomes Cole Payne, a Missouri-based film producer and co-founder of Traverse Media, who played a pivotal role in enacting Missouri’s film tax credit. Cole shares his journey from growing up in Russellville, Missouri, to studying entertainment management in Springfield, and eventually moving to Los Angeles to pursue a film career. The episode dives into his motivation...
The hip-hop world has been on fire with the ongoing feud between Kendrick Lamar and Drake, but this battle has now spilled out of the recording booth and into the courtroom. While rap beefs typically play out through diss tracks, Drake has taken an unprecedented step by filing a federal defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG).
In this episode of The Screen Lawyer Podcast, Pete Salsich unpacks the legal drama behind Dr...
In this episode of The Screen Lawyer Podcast, host Pete Salsich kicks off 2025 with a look at the bustling film scene in Saint Louis and the Midwest. He highlights the impact of the Missouri Motion Media Tax Credit, which has energized local film production, and previews exciting developments for the year ahead.
Pete discusses upcoming cases involving AI, copyright, and TikTok, and teases a stellar lineup of guests slated for the ...
In this episode of The Screen Lawyer Podcast, host Pete Salsich interviews Mary Kay Sheets, the Executive Director of Saint Louis Filmworks, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting emerging filmmakers in Saint Louis.
They delve into the organization's origins and mission, which began in 2020 with the goal of centralizing local creative talent and promoting Saint Louis as a film industry hub. The episode also explores the benefits ...
In this episode of The Screen Lawyer Podcast, host Pete Salsich dives into the controversy surrounding the use of music in political campaigns, particularly focusing on the Trump campaign's repeated use of copyrighted songs without proper permissions. He discusses the legal complexities of blanket licenses from organizations like ASCAP and BMI, the rights of artists to exclude their music from political campaigns, and notable ...
In this episode of The Screen Lawyer Podcast, host Pete Salsich sits down with Tim Breitbach, founder of Optimal Entertainment, to discuss his journey from a creative director in San Francisco to a filmmaker and entrepreneur in St. Louis.
Tim shares his experience co-founding Content Films and directing "Dopamine," which premiered at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival. He also discusses his move to St. Louis, where he collabo...
In this episode of The Screen Lawyer Podcast, host Pete Salsich interviews Saint Louis filmmaker Bruce Carlton Cunningham Jr., who shares his journey from actor to independent filmmaker. Cunningham discusses the challenges of wearing multiple hats in low-budget productions, the importance of marketing, and the complexities of film distribution. He highlights his experiences with his film Un-Resolved, from production to its local th...
In this episode of The Screen Lawyer Podcast, Pete Salsich dives into a recent U.S. Copyright Office report that highlights the potential inadequacy of current laws to address the challenges brought by AI, particularly in the areas of deepfakes and digital replicas. The episode also discusses the "NO FAKES Act," a bipartisan legislative initiative designed to protect individuals’ likenesses—beyond just celebrities—from un...
On Wednesday, July 24th, Pete Salsich hosted a live recording of The Screen Lawyer podcast in partnership with Cinema St. Louis' 2024 Filmmakers Showcase.
The program focused on the ever-evolving world of independent film distribution. Pete engaged a panel of industry experts, including Andrea Sporcic-Klund (Missouri Film Commissioner, Director of the Missouri Film Office), Bryan Krueger (CPA, Partner at SFW Partners...
In this episode of The Screen Lawyer Podcast, host Pete Salsich welcomes Emmett Williams, Director of Festival Curation and Education for Cinema Saint Louis. Emmett shares his insightful journey from documentary filmmaker to his current pivotal role, revealing his passion for nurturing the local film community.
Discover the collaborative process behind film selection, dive into the organization’s innovative year-round education prog...
Join hosts Pete Salsich and Gary Pierson on The Screen Lawyer Podcast as they unpack the groundbreaking lawsuit shaking up the music industry. Discover how AI innovators like Suno and Udio are clashing with major music labels over copyright infringement, and what this pivotal battle means for the future of music and artists' rights.
Original Theme Song composed by Brent Johnson of Coolfire Studios.
Podcast sponsored by Cap...
In this episode of The Screen Lawyer, Pete Salsich dives into the transformative potential of Missouri's new Film Tax Credit with Kelley Hiatt from the Saint Louis Film Office. Discover why the Netflix hit series Ozark, set in Missouri, was filmed in Georgia and how Missouri aims to turn the tide with its own competitive incentives.
Original Theme Song composed by Brent Johnson of Coolfire Studios.
Podcast sponsored by Cap...
In this week’s episode of The Screen Lawyer Podcast, host Pete Salsich delves into the recent controversy involving Scarlett Johansson and OpenAI. Johansson was asked by OpenAI to lend her voice to ChatGPT, reminiscent of her role in the film "Her," but ultimately she decided against it. Despite her refusal, OpenAI proceeded with a voice strikingly similar to hers, leading to significant backlash and legal action. Join P...
In this episode of The Screen Lawyer Podcast, host Pete Salsich delves into a recent U.S. Supreme Court case that addresses the complexities of copyright infringement claims under the Copyright Act, particularly focusing on the statute of limitations and the recovery of damages for older infringements. The case in question is Warner Chappell Music Inc. v. Nealy, which explores whether damages can be claimed for infringements discov...
In this episode of The Screen Lawyer Podcast, host Pete Salsich explores the legal complexities of tattoos and copyright law. He discusses a recent lawsuit where tattoo artist James Hayden sued LeBron James and 2k Games for featuring his designs in a video game without permission. Drawing from his experience in a similar case involving Mike Tyson's tattoo and The Hangover Part II, Pete provides insights on the jury's deci...
On this week’s episode of The Screen Lawyer Podcast, Pete Salsich is joined by his longtime friend and colleague, Jeremy Corray. Together, they dive into Jeremy's career journey, exploring the transition from traditional advertising to branded content, the legal aspects of online marketing, the emergence of social media influencers, and the vital role of storytelling and branding.
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