Film-Business Clarity

I would like to respond briefly to Alec Baldwin’s Counterpunch, “Hollywood’s the Loser In the Basinger Verdict” (April 5):

As the attorney who litigated this case against Basinger, I personally see this verdict neither as a victory for the studios or producers nor as a defeat for the creative innocent. It is a victory for sound and clear business tenets and customs in this multibillion-dollar business.

Baldwin’s statements that “creative endeavors are like children” and that “creative principals . . . assemble and kiss each other’s ass while agents and lawyers hammer out agreements” belie the stature and business sophistication of major talent in Hollywood.

These verdicts, 12-0 in favor of an oral contract and 10-2 in favor of a written contract, will not lower civility nor courtesy. They should bring a welcome climate of honesty and clarity to the negotiating process.

PATRICIA L. GLASER

Christensen, White, Miller, Fink & Jacobs

Los Angeles