Released
Released has two industry meanings: content made available to the public through distribution, or a performer freed from a casting hold or contractual reservation.
Screener
A Screener is an advance copy of a production distributed to industry professionals — awards voters, critics, and programmers — for evaluation before public release, subject to strict security and anti-piracy measures.
Entertainment Attorney
An Entertainment Attorney is a lawyer specializing in entertainment industry legal needs — essential for child performer families who need professional review of contracts, management agreements, and Coogan Law compliance.
Equal Likeness
Equal Likeness is a contractual provision ensuring a performer’s name and image receive treatment equal to comparable performers in marketing materials — a component of billing negotiations reflecting commercial visibility.
Fair Use
Fair Use is a copyright law doctrine permitting limited use of copyrighted material without permission — evaluated through a four-factor test that makes its application case-specific and frequently unpredictable.
Hip Pocket Someone
Hip Pocketing refers to an agent informally representing a client without a signed agreement — evaluating the performer’s marketability before committing to formal representation.
Likeness Rights
Likeness Rights are a performer’s legal control over commercial use of their image and appearance — requiring particular attention for child actors whose long-term likeness exploitation can have significant consequences.
Right of Publicity
Right of Publicity is the intellectual property right protecting individuals from unauthorized commercial use of their name, image, and likeness — with California’s framework extending protection 70 years after death.
Slip a Script
Slip a Script refers to informally giving a screenplay directly to talent outside official agency channels — a common informal practice that bypasses representation gatekeeping to generate personal interest.
Agency Commission
Agency Commission is the ten percent fee charged by licensed talent agents on earnings from work they procure — regulated by state law and SAG-AFTRA agreements, distinct from the higher unregulated manager commission.