The 32nd Cutting Edge CE

Music Business Conferences and Events

August 21 – 24, 2024

Schedules for each section is below

All panel takes place in Central Daylight Time [CDT]

Cutting Edge

Music Business Sessions

August 21 – 24, 2024

 Schedule

(Coming Soon)

All panel takes place in Central Daylight Time [CDT]

Wednesday, August 21 

Roots Music Gathering – Sustaining Culture – Open to the Public Sessions

Wednesday, August 21, 2024

InterContinental Hotel

Cutting Edge Songwriters Camp

Performances in Pete’s Pub Sessions

Location 2^nd Fl

11:00 – 11:30 AM                Cutting Edge Songwriters Camp (Invitation Only) – Welcome

12:00 – 4:00 PM                  Cutting Edge Songwriters Camp (Invitation Only) – Songwriting Rooms Opens

Small songwriting groups (4/5 songwriters per room), led by lead songwriters – The goal is to write one song per room per session.

5:00 – 6:30 PM                    [BREAKOUT SESSION in Pete’s Pub]  SpringBoard: Moment of Truth

Host: Barry Coffing, SpringBoard Conference, MusicSupervisor.com, WeGetMusic – In Pete Pub

5:00 – 9 PM                          Cutting Edge Songwriters Camp (Invitation Only) – Songwriting Rooms Opens

Small songwriting groups (4/5 songwriters per room), led by lead songwriters – The goal is to write one song per room per session.

Music Business Sessions

Schedule

Thursday, August 22, 2024

Location: Frenchmen Room I

8:50 Welcome

9:00 – 9:20 AM                     An Overview of Everything in the Music Business that has NOT changed

Speaker

• Barry Coffing, Music Supervisor, Owner, MusicSupervior.com, WeGetMusic

9:30 – 10:30 AM                   Songwriting Essentials: Let’s Write a Song Part I: For Film/TV – Veteran Songwriter and Producer Michele Vice-Maslin leads the discussion on essential considerations when crafting a song for synch licensing or not.

Speaker:

Michele Vice-Maslin, Songwriter, Producer

Spend three days de-mystifying the world of music licensing with songwriter/producer and licensing expert Michele Vice-Maslin. This immersive workshop intensive will introduce participants to many layers of the tools, expectations, and principles involved with licensing their music or that of clients. The session will end with an overview of basic licensing and royalties definitions and resources that all content providers should be familiar with (Publishing, PROs, deal memos, cue sheets, etc.). Each participant will leave the intensive experience of researching and submitting songs for licensing opportunities, developing a sense of how to jump into this essential music industry arena.

In the Studio Sessions:

10:45 – 11:15 AM                Special Presentation: Audio Narrations, Voiceovers, and Audiobooks Production with Jessica Kaye, Grammy Award-winning audio producer

11:25 – 12:45 PM                Production Ideas vs Project Management      Recording Studio and Live Production Tips, Tricks, & Secrets [MUS. BUSINESS]

Recording in a commercial studio, home studio, or LIVE requires insight into the tools of the trade of engineers and producers. This panel will discuss equipment, techniques, and planning needed to avoid common mistakes.

Speakers:

• Danny Jones, Engineer, Producer, Owner, Danny Jones Production (Moderator)
• Ben Lorio, Grammy Nominated Chief Engineer, McKinley Studio
• Jack Miele, Multi-Gold & Platinum award-winning Produce & Engineer
• Paul Diaz, Owner, TreeSound Recording Studios
• Mark Berry, Music, Film & TV Producer, AMG Group

Thursday, August 22

[AFTERNOON SESSIONS]

1:00 – 5:00 PM                    “Cutting Edge Songwriters Camp (Invitation Only) – Songwriting Rooms Opens”

Small songwriting groups (4/5 songwriters per room), led by lead songwriters – The goal is to write one song per room per session.

[Rooms expand into New Orleans, with writing happening at the InterContinental, The McKinley Studios, and Leslie Smith Studio]

1:00 – 2:00 PM                    Technotainment Sessions Part I –

By “Technotainment,” we mean the future convergence/tipping point where technology and entertainment converge, allowing the consumer to access online, streaming media, video, Virtual Reality (VR), and multi-user content in one platform and creating entertainment, pleasure, education, and communication opportunities—the new Superhighway for consumer experience.

Technotainment Sessions cover:

• What practical opportunities exist for musicians, record labels, entertainment companies, and entrepreneurs?
• What can we do today?

Publicity, Branding, Marketing in the Metaverse – Building your social network to launch or enhance your Brand.

Speakers:

• Barry Coffing, Music Supervisor, Owner, MusicSupervior.com, WeGetMusic (Moderator)
• Megan Coffing, Website, Branding Expert
• Linda Septien, Septien Entertainment Group, #1 Artist Developer (Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato, Jessica Simpson, Kacey Musgraves, Beyonce, Destiney Child)
• Sly Roque, Brand Therapist & Founder of the Clever group, Creative Branding Agency
• David Trahan, Podcaster, Youtuber, Blogger, Owner, www.Neworleansmusicians.com

2:15 – 3:30 PM                    Touring and Management –

1. What does a venue evaluate when choosing an act?
2. Touring Hacks to save time and money.                                                         I manage artists, and this is what I need them to do to be successful

Speakers:

• Christopher C. Brown, JD, Managing Director, ETP Agency (Moderator)
• John M., Songwriter, Author, “Performance Matters”
• Henry Turner, Jr., Musician, Venue Owner, Festival Promoter
• Michael Paz, The Paz Group Entertainment
• Ryan Batiste, Musician, Producer

3:45 – 4:45 PM                    Let’s Write a Song for Synch Part I Synch Assassin, Producer, Music Supervisor Barry Coffing, and artist, music supervisor Jessica Alvarez, Sync Musica [MUS. BUSINESS]

Speakers

• Barry Coffing, Music Supervisor, Owner, Music Supervior.com (Moderator)
• Jessica Alvarez (aka, Jessi Campo), Sync Musica
• Danny Jones, Engineer, Producer, Owner, Danny Jones Production
• Michael J. O’Hara, Songwriter, Producer

4:15 – 5:15 PM        Music Industry Development – “Reimagined” Updated Location: Pete’s Pub

• NOLA Music Census Study
• New Government Initiatives
• NOLA Music Incubator Updated

Speakers

Don Pitts, CEO, Founder, Sound Music Cities

Scott Fetters, CEO, Founder, 2112 Chicago – Music, Film Tech Incubator

4:45 – 5:30 PM                    Part II: Let’s critique your songs – Play your finished song for the experts.

Speakers

• Barry Coffing, Music Supervisor, Owner, Music Supervior.com (Moderator)
• Jessica Alvarez (aka, Jessi Campo), Sync Musica
• Danny Jones, Engineer, Producer, Owner, Danny Jones Production
• John M., Songwriter, Author, “Performance Matters”
• David Silbaugh, Talent Buyer, Summerfest

InterContinental Hotel – Pete’s Pub

2:00 – 3:00 PM        Music Industry Development – “Reimagined” Updated Location: Pete’s Pub

• NOLA Music Census Study
• New Government Initiatives
• NOLA Music Incubator Updated

Speakers

Don Pitts, CEO, Founder, Sound Music Cities

Scott Fetters, CEO, Founder, 2112 Chicago – Music, Film Tech Incubator

5:30 – 6:30 PM                    FILM MEETUP – In conjunction with Louisiana Produces

Host: Wayne Douglas Morgan

• David DuBos – Producer, “In A Good Place Now: The Life & Music of Bobby Charles”
• Jim Dotson – General Manager, 6^th Street Studios and WLAE-TV, Executive Producer, Battlegrounds: The Lost Community of Fazendeville and WLAE new documentaries: “The Warner Way – The 50 Year Legacy of Principle Wayne Warner” and “Blue – The Life and Legacy of George Rodrigue”

6:00 – 8:00 performance

6:00 PM – 1:00 PM               Artists Showcase (venues across New Orleans)

Friday, August 25

[MORNING SESSIONS]

Friday, August 25, 2023

Location(s): Frenchmen RM #1, Frenchmen RM #2

9:00 – 9:45   AM      Songwriters Essentials: Let’s Write a Song Part II – Music Metadata – Tracking your songs’ plays in the Streaming Metaverse

What is Music Metadata? Understand how your music is followed from your recording to streaming. What actions should you take to ensure your rights are protected?

Speakers:

• Michele Vice Maslin, Emmy-winning, #1 Hit Songwriter, Producer, Arranger

Spend three days de-mystifying the world of music licensing with songwriter/producer and licensing expert Michele Vice-Maslin. This immersive workshop intensive will introduce participants to many layers of the tools, expectations, and principles involved with licensing their music or that of clients. The session will end with an overview of basic licensing and royalties definitions and resources that all content providers should be familiar with (Publishing, PROs, deal memos, cue sheets, etc.). Each participant will leave the intensive having practiced researching and submitting songs for licensing opportunities, developing a sense of how to enter this essential music industry arena.

10:00 – 11:00 AM                Technotainment Part II: Planning and using the Metaverse (AI, VR, Web 03) to be informed and gain leverage for your business and artist projects.

Speakers:

• Remington Rafael, Parallel Playy
• Linda Septien – Septien Entertainment Group, #1 Artist Developer (Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato, Jessica Simpson, Kacey Musgraves, Beyonce, Destiney Child) (Moderator)
• Scott Keniley, General Counsel, Soundscape VR

11:15 – 12:50           Event Booking, Promotions and Management:

Event executives and promoters will explain how they select artists, their most effective marketing platform, and the secret to their management style.

Speakers

• Greg Schatz, French Quarter Festival,
• Jared Zeller, Bayou Boogaloo
• Dorian Francis, New Orleans Jazz Market (Moderator)
• I. V. Miller, General Manager, House of Blues
• Kerry Brown, Talent Buyer, Gretna Fest
• David Silbaugh, Talent Buyer, Summerfest

Friday, August 23

[AFTERNOON SESSIONS]

1:00                            Special Presentation: Trumpet Award presented to Walt Leger, Esq., CEO, President, New Orleans & Co, the official Tourism management and sales organization for the City of New Orleans.

1:15 PM—2:00 PM Conversation on Publishing A&R and the A&R’s Role in Contracts Artists Signs with Publishing Companies [Legal/Bus CLE .75 hrs.]

Interviewee: Tom DeSavia, SVP, A&R, Concord Music Publishing

Interviewer: Charles Driebe, Esq., Blind Ambition Management, Atlanta, GA

2:15 PM – 3:15 PM             Artist Development in the Social Media Age, Part II: 5-Things you should do to attract followers, audience, and industry attention [MUS. BUSINESS]

A&R representatives, Record label owners, managers, and publicists discuss how to:

1. Build your Brand
2. Build Your Fan Base

• Network and Build Relationships

1. Get Discovered on Music Discovery Websites
2. Apply Marketing Strategies

Speakers:

• Christopher Brown, JD, Managing Director, ETP Agency (Moderator)
• John Autin, Owner, Rabadash Records
• Justin LaMotte, Owner, BlackWax Records
• Derrick McKinney, LOUD MUZIK
• Linda Septien – Septien Entertainment Group, #1 Artist Developer (Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato, Jessica Simpson, Kacey Musgraves, Beyonce, Destiney Child) (Moderator)

3:45 PM – 5:00 PM             Developing Writers and Artists for Today’s Market [Mus. Bus.]

Speakers:

• Barry Coffing, Music Supervisor, Owner, MusicSupervior.com
• Michael Dixon, Soda Rock Music, Nashville/London
• Mark Berry, Music, Film & TV Producer, AMG Group
• Zach Lund, Director, A&R, Universal Music Publishing
• Michelle Vice Maslin, Emmy-winning, #1 Hit Songwriter, Producer, Arranger

Cutting Edge Songwriters Expo

Awards Presentations

August 23

@ New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation’s

George and Joyce Wein Jazz & Heritage Center Performance Hall

1225 N Rampart Street

3:30                Doors Open

4:00 – 5:30               Film – “In A Good Place Now: The Life & Music of Bobby Charles” Q&A follows film

5:40 – 6:10                 Performance – Life, Explicit

6:15 – 6:40                Root Music Gathering Conversation and Demonstration – Writing and performing the Blues: Henry Turner, Jr and Russell Gulley

6:45 – 7:30               Songwriters Camp Coaches Present – Songwriters

7:30 PM  Award Presentations  

–Lifetime Achievement Award – Detroit Brooks

–Music Influencer Award – Greg Lambousy, New Orleans Jazz Museum

–Community Service Award – New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation

–Community Service Award – BreakThru Magazine

8:00 – 8:35               R&B/Soul Songwriter – Mia Borders

8:50 – 9:30                 Special Guest – Ryan Batiste and his tribute to his brother – Russell Batiste

6:00 PM – 2:00 AM               Artists Showcases (venues across New Orleans)

Saturday, August 24

[MORNING SESSIONS]

Location: Frenchmen RM #1

9:00 AM – 9:45 AM             Educators Panel [MUS. BUSINESS]

Where do educators and institutions stand today in better equipping artists and entertainment entrepreneurs?

Speakers

Dr. Peter Cho, Executive Dean, Delgado Community College, West Bank Campus

Dr. Raymond M. Delaney Jr., Southern University New Orleans

10:00 – 11:00                       Introducing Performance Matters with John M, Songwriter, Performance Author

Gain insight from a man called “a joyful and confident performer.” His book on live performance, “Performance Matters,” is a core part of his Masterclass. This version is edited for time.

Speakers

John M

11:15 PM – 12:30 PM         Songwriting with Michele Vice-Maslin, Part III [MUS. BUSINESS]

Conversations with Songwriters

Veteran Songwriter and Producer Michele Vice-Maslin lead the third of three sessions on essential considerations when crafting a song for synch licensing.

Speakers:

• Michele Vice Maslin, Emmy-winning, #1 Hit Songwriter, Producer, Arranger

Saturday, August 26

[AFTERNOON SESSIONS]

Creatives Festival

Performances, Workshops, Film Presentation

**Free** 

Saturday, August 24

1:00 AM – 5:00 PM 

Supported by the New Orleans Tourism and Cultural Fund

Musicians, Students, and Creative Entrepreneurs are encouraged to attend

Discussion – Filmmaker Profile – Presentations 

• Music – Artists’ Performances, Interviews, information on negotiating recording contacts, your music in Film/TV, Virtual Speed Meeting
• Tech – Music Tech, Esports, Equipment Demonstration, Podcast
• Film – Footage of New Orleans Music Legends

12:40 – 12:55           Southern Soul Artist – Tawana Lewis (Baton Rouge, LA)

1:00 – 5:00 PM        DAWn Audio – Songwriters and Beatmakers in Recording room

– Demonstrations

– Recording

Speakers:

Diego Pinzon, Cofounder, CEO, DAWn Audio

Amanda Ortiz, Cofounder, CSO, DAWn Audio

1:00 – 2:00                Funding for Events, Sustainable Entrepreneurs

Speakers

Henry Turner, Jr, Event Promoter (Moderator)

Barry Coffing, SpringBoard Events, WEGetArtists

Derrick McKinney, LOUD MUZIK

Kia Robinson Hatfield, Director of Program, Marketing and Communication

2:10 – 2:50               Whatalife Music Collective (Jack Faze, Aquaya, Munchie, Solo The Artist)

3:00 – 4:00               eSports Presentation: Overview slide presentation and panel discussion

Speakers:

Christopher Turner, Director, Mixed Reality Virtual Innovation Gaming and Esports, Southern University Law Center

Kimberly “Kimmie” Thomas, Esq., CEO, IGL Foundation

Christopher Douglas, Business PM, Xbox Game Camp

4:05 – 4:20               Southern Soul Artist – Mz Pat (Baton Rouge, LA)

4:25 – 4:45               Orleans Records Films – Outtakes from the film vault with Carlo Ditta, Owner, CEO, Orleans Records and Films

4:50 – 5:05               Southern Soul Artist – Sharnette Hyter (Dallas, TX)

Who can you meet at the Cutting Edge?

Confirmed Music Business and Creative Industries Workshop Speakers, with more to come

• • Jessica Alvarez (aka, Jessi Campo), Sync Musica
  • John Autin, Owner, Rabadash Records
  • Mark Berry, Music, Film & TV Producer, AMG Group
  • BreakThru Magazine – Community Service Award
  • Detroit Brooks – Lifetime Achievement Award
  • Kerry Brown, Talent Buyer, Gretna Fest
  • Peter Cho, Executive Dean, Delgado Community College, West Bank Campus
  • Barry Coffing, Music Supervisor, Owner, MusicSupervior.com, WeGetMusic
  • Megan Coffing, Website, Branding Expert
  • Raymond M. Delaney Jr., Southern University New Orleans
  • Tom DeSavia, SVP, A&R, Concord Music Publishing
  • Paul Diaz, Owner, TreeSound Recording Studios
  • Carlo Ditta, Owner, Orleans Records/Films
  • Michael Dixon, Soda Rock Music, Nashville/London
  • Jim Dotson – Program Director, WLAE-TV, Executive Producer, “Battleground: The Lost Community of Fazendeville” and WLAE new documentaries: “The Warner Way – The 50 Year Legacy of Principle Wayne Warner,” and “Blue – The Life and Legacy of George Rodrigue”
  • Christopher Douglas, Business PM, Xbox Game Camp
  • Charles Driebe, Esq., Blind Ambition Management, Atlanta, GA
  • David DuBos – Producer, In A Good Place Now: The Life & Music of Bobby Charles
  • Dorian Francis, New Orleans Jazz Market
  • Kia Robinson Hatfield, Marketing Director, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation
  • Danny Jones, Engineer, Producer, Owner, Danny Jones Production
  • Jessica Kaye, Grammy Award-winning audio producer
  • Scott Keniley, General Counsel, Soundscape VR
  • Greg Lambousy, New Orleans Jazz Museum
  • Justin LaMotte, Owner, BlackWax Records
  • Ben Lorio, Grammy Nominated Head Engineer, Co-Owner McKinley Studio
  • Zach Lund, Director, A&R, Universal Music Publishing
  • John M., Songwriter, Author, “Performance Matters”
  • Michele Vice Maslin, Emmy-winning, #1 Hit Songwriter, Producer, Arranger
  • Derrick McKinney, LOUD MUZIK
  • Jack Miele, Multi-Gold & Platinum award-winning Produce & Engineer
  • V. Miller, General Manager, House of Blues
  • New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation – Community Service Award
  • Amanda Ortiz, Cofounder, CSO, DAWn Audio
  • Michael O’Hara, Songwriter, Producer
  • Michael Paz, The Paz Group Entertainment
  • Diego Pinzon, Cofounder, CEO, DAWn Audio
  • Remington Rafael, Parallel Playy
  • Sly Roque, Brand Therapist & Founder of the Clever group, Creative Branding Agency
  • Greg Schatz, French Quarter Festival
  • Linda Septien – Septien Entertainment Group, #1 Artist Developer (Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato, Jessica Simpson, Kacey Musgraves, Beyonce, Destiney Child) (Moderator)
  • David Silbaugh, Talent Buyer, SummerFest, Milwaukee
  • Kimberly “Kimmie” Thomas, Esq., CEO, IGL Foundation
  • David Trahan, Podcaster, Youtuber, Blogger, Owner, www.Neworleansmusicians.com
  • Christopher Turner, Director, Mixed Reality Virtual Innovation Gaming and Esports, Southern University Law Center
  • Henry Turner, Jr., Musician, Venue Owner, Festival Promoter
  • Jared Zeller, Founder & President, Bayou Boogaloo

32^nd Annual

CUTTING EDGE ENTERTAINMENT LAW SEMINAR

August 22, 23, 24, 2024

New Orleans

InterContinental New Orleans Hotel

Futurecasting (not Forecasting) Your Clients Legal Needs

“What’s Past is Prologue”

Covering

“AI – Publishing – Trademark – Film Agreements – Literary Publishing –  Business Consideration –  Transactional Issues”

This course is approved for a total of 16.00 hour(s) of credit, including 1.00 hour(s) of ethics, 1.00 hour(s) of professionalism, and 1.00 hour(s) of law office practice by the MCLE Committee of the Louisiana State Bar Association.

Subject to change

Thursday, August 22, 2024

[MORNING SESSIONS]

9:00 AM—10:00 AM           Professionalism—Avoiding Gaps, Mishaps, and Traps in Negotiations [Legal/ CLE 1.0 cr. hr.]

How do you get the most out of your negotiation? Ensure professional conduct and civility while negotiating with opposing counsel. How do you save a deal from going south?

Speakers:

• David Dalia, Esq., New Orleans, LA
• Judith DeFraites, Esq., New Orleans, LA

10:15 AM – 11:15 AM        Limited Liability Corporations and Other Business Formats Considerations for Entrepreneurs, Creatives and Athletes, when considering:

• Live Music Ventures
• Creative Content Accumulation
• Profession Representation [Legal/ CLE 1.0 cr. hr.]

Speakers:

• Gregg R. Zegarelli, Esq., Ventures Law Group, PC, Pittsburgh, PA
• Brittney Trigg, Esq., BTRIGGLAW, PLLC, Miami, FL
• Matthew Wilson, Esq., Arnall Golden Gregory LLP, Atlanta, GA
• Marc Stollman, Esq., Stollman Law, Miami, FL

11:30 AM – 12:30 PM         Litigation: Creative Content v AI Litigation Roundup [Legal/ CLE 1.00 cr. hr.]

This panel will overview current litigation relating to Artificial intelligence (AI).

Speakers:

• Stan Soocher, Esq., Editor-in-Chief, Entertainment Law & Finance, Professor Emeritus, College of Arts & Media, University of Colorado Denver
• Wallace Collins, Esq., New York, NY

12:30 Break

Thursday, August 22

[AFTERNOON SESSIONS]

1:00 PM – 2:15 PM             Updates to AI and Generative AI Intellectual Property Issues [Legal/ CLE 1.25 cr. hrs.]

Covering:

• Rights to Publicity
• Bifurcation of Copyrights Registration
• Licensing Rights for Generative AI
• Neighboring Rights

This panel will cover understanding AI and Data Rights, current legislation, and case law. The discussion will include AI involvement in the Metaverse (Web3), NFTs and art/music generation, and the legal implications of generative AI.

Speakers:

• Stephen J. Easley, Esq., Law Office of Stephen J. Easley, Esq.
• Scott Keniley, Esq., Keniley Kumar, Atlanta, GA
• Michael Olsen, Esq, Counsel, LLP, San Francisco, CA
• Kevin Mills, Esq., Kaye & Mills, Los Angeles, CA

2:30 PM – 3:45 PM             Literary Publishing:

• The Legal and Business Essentials
• Roles of Lawyers and Agents of a Literary Publishing Deal
• AI Impact
• Audiobooks

This panel will discuss various forms of content creation, licensing, representation, and marketing of Book Publishing. [Legal/ CLE/Business 1.25 cr. hr.]

Speakers:

• Kirk T. Schroder, Esq., Schroder Davis Law Firm, PLC, Charlottesville, VA
• Jessica Kaye, Esq., Kaye & Mills, Los Angeles, CA
• Kevin Mills, Esq., Kaye & Mills, Los Angeles, CA
• Abram Himelstein, Editor-in-Chief, UNO Press, New Orleans, LA

4:00 PM – 5:30 PM             Trademark 2024: Hot Topics and New Developments Avoiding and Resolving Disputes. What’s in a name? [Legal/ CLE 1.5 cr. hrs.]

Covering

• Trademark Office Updates
• How to Protect Trade Dress
• Protecting Rights is sports memorabilia in the Digital Era
• Remedies in Trademark Litigation

Speakers:

• Gregg R. Zegarelli, Esq., Ventures Law Group, PC, Pittsburgh, PA
• Peter A. Koziol, Esq., Assouline Bertowe, Boca Raton, FL
• Charlotte Towne, Esq., Charlotte Towne Law, Miami, FL
• Eugene Radcliff, Esq. Baton Rouge, LA
• Richard F Wolfe, Esq., Wolfe Law, Miami, FL

Friday, August 23

[MORNING SESSIONS]

9:00 AM—10:00 AM           Ethical issues for the Transactional Lawyers – Vernon P. Thomas Ethics Presentation [Legal/ CLE 1.0 cr. hr.]

This panel will cover the rules of professional conduct.

Speakers:

• Judith DeFraites, Esq., New Orleans, LA
• Darryl Cohen, Esq., Cohen, Cooper Estep & Allen, Atlanta, GA
• Ed Bradley, Esq., Bradley Law, Boca Raton, FL

10:15 AM – 11:15 AM        Representing high-value Sports and Entertainment Clients, Agreements, Rights To Publicity [Legal/ CLE 1.0 cr. hr.]

• Protecting Rights is sports memorabilia in the Digital Era
• Protecting Against Deep Fake Voice and Likeness-Generated AI

Speakers:

• Kimberly Haynes, Esq. Haynes Johnson, LLC, Baton Rouge, LA
• Matthew Wilson, Esq., Arnall Golden Gregory LLP, Atlanta, GA
• Darryl Cohen, Esq., Cohen, Cooper Estep & Allen, Atlanta, GA

11:30 AM – 12:30 PM                    New Trends in Synch and Masters Use Licensing [Legal/ CLE 1.0 cr. hr.]

This panel’s discussion will extend to multiple music licenses in Film/TV, Podcast, and the Metaverse. [Legal/ CLE 1.0 cr. hr.]

Speakers:

• Stephen J. Easley, Esq., Law Office of Stephen J. Easley, Esq,
• Edgar “Dino” Gankendoff, Esq., Provosty & Gankendoff, LLC, NOLA
• Barry Coffin, Music Supervisor.com, Huston, TX

Friday, August 23 

[AFTERNOON SESSIONS]

1:15 PM—2:00 PM Conversation on Publishing A&R and the A&R’s Role in Contacts Artists Signs with Publishing Companies [Legal/Bus CLE .75 hrs.]

Interviewee: Tom DeSavia, SVP, A&R, Concord Music Publishing

Interviewer: Charles Driebe, Esq., Blind Ambition Management, Atlanta, GA

2:15 PM – 3:30 PM “The Changing World of U.S. Music Collection Organizations” [Legal/ CLE 1.25 cr. hr.]

Over 6 billion dollars is being collected annually by the U.S. PROs ASCAP, BMI, GMR, SESAC, The MLC, and SoundExchange. In addition, negotiated direct licensing deals entered into by music publishers and record companies with the users of music significantly add to that total. Despite record revenue years, the area has seen significant changes in the primary sources of income, organizational and ownership transformations, distribution rule revisions, and the multiplicity of music catalog sales and writers selling their income streams.

This panel will discuss the current status of these entities, how they relate to each other, how rates are being set, and how recent changes have affected the negotiation, collection, and distribution of royalties to writers, publishers, artists, and record companies.

Speakers:

• Jeff Brabec, Esq., Senior Vice President Legal and Business Affairs, Board member The MLC, co-author “Music, Money, and Success,” Adjunct Professor USC
•  Todd Brabec Esq., former ASCAP Executive Vice President, co-author “Music, Money and Success,” Adjunct Professor USC

3:45 PM – 5:15 PM             Distribution and Film Production Service Agreements Business and Legal Considerations [Legal/ CLE 1.5 cr. hr.]

This panel will cover agreements between parties in the film process. Agreements between a production company and a producer, investor, or distributor. These agreements may cover what happens at any stage of the film process, before, during, and post-production.

Speakers:

• Kirk T. Schroder, Esq., Schroder Davis Law Firm, PLC, Charlottesville, VA
• William Ramsey, Esq., Ramsey Law Firm, New Orleans, LA
• Christoper Szapary, Esq., Provosty & Gankendoff, LLC, New Orleans, LA
• Richard C. Wolfe, Esq., Wolfe Law, Miami, FL

Saturday, August 24

[MORNING SESSIONS]

Saturday, August 24, 2024

9:00 AM – 10:00 AM           Legal Practice Management: Do’s and Don’ts of Court Procedures [Legal/ CLE 1.0 cr. hr.]

Court rules and decorum have never been more critical for all parties and their clients.

Speakers:

• Vernon W. Thomas, Esq. Thomas Law Firm, New Orleans, LA
• Nadine Ramsey, Esq., New Orleans, LA
• David Dalia, Esq., New Orleans, LA

10:15 AM – 11:15 AM –      Essential Clauses in Recording, Producing and Agency Agreements [Legal/ CLE 1.0 cr. hr.] 

The panel will cover artists, record labels, and producers. The panel will focus on potential costly mistakes to avoid.

• Essential deal points when representing artists,
• Re-record clause
• Options vs. Record Release Periods

Speakers:

• Brittney Trigg, Esq., BTRIGGLAW, PLLC, Miami, FL
• Matthew Wilson, Esq., Arnall Golden Gregory LLP, Atlanta, GA
• John F. Bradley, Esq., Bradley Law, Boca Raton, FL

11:30 AM – 1:00 PM           “Negotiating Video Game Music Deals” [Legal/CLE 1.5 cr. hr.]

Whether it’s a pre-existing song, a new composition written for a game, an electronic or orchestral score, or a sound recording, the negotiation to put music into any type of video game can take many forms, with the end result either being continuing royalties based on the success of the game or a one-time fee regardless of how many units are sold.

This panel will discuss the constantly evolving world of video game music, the ins and outs, the many variations, and, in some cases, the extreme complexity of a video game music deal. Areas covered include major console games, music centric games, mobile games, soundtrack albums, in game concerts, downloadable content (DLC), per-unit and sales plateau royalties, per-minute fees, advances, trailers, and user generated content/UGC videos, among other areas. Everything you need to know to get your music into a game and make money from it.

Speakers:

• Jeff Brabec, Esq., Senior Vice President Legal and Business Affairs, Board member The MLC, co-author “Music, Money, and Success,” Adjunct Professor USC
•  Todd Brabec Esq., former ASCAP Executive Vice President, co-author “Music, Money and Success,” Adjunct Professor USC

32nd Cutting Edge Entertainment Law Seminar

Faculty

2024 Entertainment Law Seminar Speakers (Subject to change)

• Jeff Brabec, Esq., Senior Vice President Legal and Business Affairs, Board member The MLC, co-author “Music, Money, and Success,” Adjunct Professor USC
•  Todd Brabec Esq., former ASCAP Executive Vice President, co-author “Music, Money and Success,” Adjunct Professor USC
• John F Bradley, Esq., Boca Raton, FL
• Christopher Brown
• Barry Coffing, Music Supervisor.com & WeGetArtists.com, Huston, TX
• Darryl Cohen, Esq., Cohen, Cooper Estep & Allen, Atlanta, GA
• Wallace Collins, Esq., New York, NY
• David Dalia, Esq., New Orleans, LA
• Judith DeFraites, Esq., New Orleans, LA
• Tom DeSavia, SVP A&R, Concord Music Publishing
• Charles Driebe, Esq., Blind Ambition Management, Atlanta, GA
• Stephen J. Easley, Esq., Law Office of Stephen J. Easley, Esq., General Counsel, Prix Productions
• Edgar “Dino” Gankendoff, Esq., Provosty & Gankendoff, LLC, NOLA
• Kimberly Haynes, Esq. Haynes Johnson, LLC, Baton Rouge, LA
• Abram Himelstein, Editor-in-Chief, UNO Press, New Orleans
• Jessica Kaye, Esq., Kaye & Mills, Los Angeles, CA
• Scott Keniley, Esq., Keniley Kumar, Atlanta, GA
• Peter A. Koziol, Esq., Assouline Bertowe, Boca Raton, FL
• Kevin Mills, Esq., Kaye & Mills, Los Angeles, CA
• Michael Olsen, Esq, Counsel, LLP, San Francisco, CA
• Eugene Radcliff, Esq. Baton Rouge, LA
• Nadine Ramsey, Esq., New Orleans, LA
• William Ramsey, Esq., Ramsey Law Firm, New Orleans, LA
• Stan Soocher, Esq., Editor-in-Chief, Entertainment Law & Finance, Professor Emeritus of Music & Entertainment Industry Studies at the University of Colorado Denver
• Kirk T. Schroder, Esq., Schroder Davis Law Firm, PLC, Charlottesville, VA
• Marc Stollman, Esq., Stollman Law, Miami, FL
• Christoper Szapary, Esq., Provosty & Gankendoff, LLC, New Orleans, LA
• Vernon W. Thomas, Esq. Thomas Law Firm, New Orleans, LA
• Charlotte Towne, Esq., Charlotte Towne Law, Miami, FL
• Brittney Trigg, Esq., BTRIGGLAW, PLLC, Miami, FL
• Suzette Toledano, Esq., Toledano Entertainment & Arts Law, New Orleans, LA
• Matthew Wilson, Esq., Arnall Golden Gregory LLP, Atlanta, GA
• Richard C, Wolfe, Esq. Wolfe Law, Miami, FL
• Gregg R. Zegarelli, Esq., Technology & Entrepreneurial Ventures Law Group, PC, Pittsburgh, PA
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