Covering Your Bases

So we've recently moved into a new phase with my start-up company, Black August Entertainment.
I'm currently pitching a couple of sitcom pilots I wrote, and I've just been commissioned to produce
a documentary feature for an up and coming New York actor.

The tricky part of all this comes into play with the paper work. A non disclosure agreement is the
industry standard in protecting two sides of a creative project in the early stages. Yet for some reason
it seems to be a taboo thing to bring up in a meeting. Let it be known, if anyone has a problem with
signing a non disclosure form they are not worthy of partnering up on anything so small as a youtube
channel idea, more or less a real scripted project. I'll say it again, if they have an issue with a non
disclosure form, let them go, its not worth it in the long run. I know people who are life long friends in LA that already made a million dollar project, and they lost it all suing each other over legal matters.

Its not worth it, do the paper work before you begin.

Another growing trend that seems to be plaguing actors these days is the whole issue of being forced to sign on to a project without being allowed to read the script. In my opinion, this is a deal breaker.
Far too often what happens is you the actor gets thrown into a film or a tv concept, only to have to
quit the project half way through. This makes you look bad and can damage a budding reputation.
It is far better to politely show interest, but request to see the full script before you hop on board.
If they want you bad enough, they'll allow it. And if you aren't being allowed to view the full script, there's probably a red flag reason for that. Better for them to look bad now, than for you to look bad later.