Producers United, an advocacy group dedicated to protecting and promoting the rights of “career producers” in film and television, has added significant legal powers to its courts.
Entertainment litigation attorney Bonnie Eskenazi and leading labor and employment attorney Alison L. Bellovin will represent a group of 300 notable producers, including Oscar winner Jonathan Wan (Everything Everywhere All at Once), Barbara Broccoli, Jeremy Kleiner, Dede Gardner and Kathy Schulman.
Since its launch three years ago, Producers United has set up a number of campaigns centered around the importance of career producers, who are responsible for identifying and developing content and ensuring its safe, timely and on-budget production and delivery. As explored in detail in last year’s Variety cover story, this group of filmmakers has been marginalized in a post-streaming world of shrinking budgets. They’ve also seen their pay and credits stolen by talent seeking the title of producer (even though they’re not actually producing).
Producers United currently has not taken any action toward unionizing, but has not ruled out the possibility. But the additions of Eskenazi and Bellovin to the team are a clear signal that the group is serious about changing direction at major studios and finding a path to fair compensation.
Eskenazi and Bellovin will help guide Producers United on legal and labor issues as the organization pursues meaningful changes in compensation structures, medical contributions, credit expansion, and the long-term sustainability of producer careers.
Eskenazi is a partner at Greenberg Glusker LLP and is widely recognized as one of the entertainment industry’s premier litigators. Her practice spans copyright royalties and profit participation, film and television contracts, intellectual property disputes, reputation protection, and new media and technology matters. Ms. Eskenazi has also played a leading role in promoting protections for workers in the entertainment industry, including helping to launch Women in Film’s sexual harassment helpline and pro bono legal advocacy efforts. She teaches entertainment law at Stanford Law School and has long been recognized as one of the top lawyers in the entertainment industry.
A partner at Levy Ratner, specializing in labor and employment, Bellovin has been dedicated to protecting and advancing the rights of working people, representing trade unions and individuals. Her experience includes litigation in state and federal courts, as well as litigation before the National Labor Relations Board, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and numerous labor and human rights agencies. She has negotiated collective bargaining agreements for thousands of workers and represented unions in every industry, including sports and entertainment, health care, education, and media.
“Bonnie and Alison bring extraordinary experience to Producers United at a pivotal time for our industry,” said Producers United members. “Their combined expertise in entertainment, labor, and employment law will greatly strengthen our ability to advocate for meaningful reforms that recognize, reward, and protect the contributions of career producers.”
“As our organization grows, Producers United is better positioned than ever to address the structural issues that are reshaping Hollywood,” the group added. “Career producers remain at the heart of how great film and television projects are developed and delivered to audiences, and we are entitled to protections and participation that reflect that reality.”
