Happy New Year Filmmakers! Welcome to the tenth issue of the Johnsonese Brokerage's Film Production Insurance Newsletter. The goal of our newsletter is to provide useful information about insurance to the film and video production industry.
At the Johnsonese Brokerage we're ready to find cost effective insurance solutions for all of your film projects. Our small business can work quickly to meet your production schedule! Contact us for all your film insurance needs. We provide same day turn around on most film production applications. And we can also issue the policy that same day! Plus, we provide same day service for certificates of insurance.
|
|
Classic Films Starring Insurance! | |
MSN Money recently ran an article about "Classic films starring ... insurance". The list was put together by George Pelecanos, a producer and writer on the series 'The Wire'.
1.'The Apartment' (1960)
2.'Cedar Rapids' (2011)
3.'Sicko' (2007)
4.'Groundhog Day' (1993)
5.'The Rainmaker' (1997)
6.'Double Indemnity' (1944)
7.'The Incredibles' (2004)
8.'Save the Tiger' (1973)
9.'The Thomas Crown Affair' (1968; 1999)
10.'Sleuth' (1972; 2007)
I would add one film that should be on the list; 'The Truman Show'. In that film Jim Carrey's character works in insurance sales.
Let me know of any other films that you would add to the list!
-Bankrate.com via MSN Money
|
|
Real World Star Alleges Sex Assault | |
MTV and the creators of the Real World are being sued by a former cast member who claims she was sexually assaulted during her stint on the long-running reality series. The claimant states that when she was on the 'Real World: Ruins' in 2009 contestants were provided with unlimited amounts of alcohol and that male contestants during the show were encouraged to mistreat the females.
Real World: Ruins, is promoted as following cast members from "drunken dares and talent shows to war-like fights and sexcapades".
According to court docs, male cast members forcibly removed women's bathing suits, inappropriately touched female cast members' intimate areas and used derogatory terms that were offensive and insulted women. In one particularly terrifying incident, the claimant alleges that she got drunk and while passed out, two of her fellow cast mates sexually assaulted her with a toothbrush.
"[Defendants] took no action to stop mistreatment of females," the suit further alleges.
-E! On-line, October 28, 2011
Reality TV is still relatively new from the standpoint of the law and insurance. Producers should not assume that just because a project is un-scripted, they will not be held responsible for cast members' behavior or safety.
|
|
Actress sues IMDb for Listing her Birthdate |
The Associated Press has reported that an actress is suing Amazon.com for revealing her age on its Internet Movie Database website and refusing to remove the reference when asked. The lawsuit accuses IMDb of misusing her personal information
"If one is perceived to be 'over-the-hill,' i.e., approaching 40, it is nearly impossible for an up-and-coming actress, such as the plaintiff, to get work as she is thought to have less of an 'upside,' therefore, casting directors, producers, directors, agents-manager, etc. do not give her the same opportunities, regardless of her appearance or talent," the lawsuit states.
IMDb is accused of breach of contract, fraud, and violation of privacy and consumer protection laws. The lawsuit seeks $75,000 in compensatory damages and $1 million in punitive damages.
-Associated Press, October 18, 2011
I don't know what insurance coverage Amazon has, but his is an example of a potential Errors & Omissions insurance claim. If you have a website, and what business doesn't, you can be sued over the content of the site.
|
|
Judge Revives Lawsuit against Warner Bros. 2003 Film 'The Last Samurai' | |
 'The Last Samurai' was a subject of a lawsuit almost immediately upon release in 2003. Two brothers claimed that they had also authored a WGA-registered script entitled 'The Last Samurai'. The brothers brought a lawsuit claiming that Warner Bros. had taken their ideas without paying them. The original case was relatively quickly dismissed on summary judgment.
Now, years later the case has been revived. Apparently, both parties and their lawyers received a mysterious letter from an anonymous person. The letter seemingly contained smoking gun evidence of how the film's producers had seen the brothers' script before making the blockbuster.
-The Hollywood Reporter, December 6, 2011
This case could be a potential Errors & Omissions insurance claim. It points out the importance of considering the term of your E&O policies. Typical policies run 3 to 5 years. Distributors often require coverage for the length of their contract.
|
|
AXA's Tips to Protect Your Home for Winter | |
AXA, one of our insurance partners, reminds us to take necessary precautions against the potential risks of the winter season.
- Have your boiler and heating system checked by a certified
 professional - Check that your home is watertight
- Remember to have your gutters and chimney cleaned
- Ensure your smoke alarms are in good working order
- Test your central reporting fire and burglar alarms and set your alarms when away from home
- Make sure you know where the main water supply valve is just in case you experience frozen pipes this winter
- If you are away from home for any length of time, set the thermostat for the heating system at a reasonable temperature to keep your water pipes in your home from freezing
- Ask a friend or neighbor to keep an eye on your house if you take a winter vacation
- If you are hosting a party, move small, fragile items to a safe location
|
The Johnsonese Brokerage can assist you with most of your film and video insurance needs. To get started immediately call 773.857.0242 or Email info@johnsonese.com. Thanks, Christopher Johnson
(dba Johnsonese Insurance Agency LLC in CA)
|
|
About the Johnsonese Brokerage | |
The Johnsonese Brokerage LLC is a licensed and bonded independent insurance agency focused on insuring creative businesses.
Who we insure:
-Production Companies
-Independent Films
-DICE Productions
-Short-Term Productions
-Editing Facilities
-Recording Studios
-Photographers
-Prop Companies
-Equipment Providers
-Costume Companies
-Film Festivals
-Special EventsWe are licensed in the states of Arizona, California (license #0G69323), Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Wisconsin.
How are we doing? Your feedback is always welcome! |
|
|
|
Common Insurance Terms
1. IIABA
Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America is an alliance of agents who represent more than one insurance company, so that they can offer clients a wider choice of insurance coverages. Johnsonese Brokerage is a member!
2. PPC
Public Protection Class is a rating system for local fire department services. The class can impact the cost of commercial insurance; a lower number is better.
3. USPAP
Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice are guidelines of acceptable methods for conducting appraisals. It is a form of quality control for property appraisals.
|
Our Business Partners
-
AmWins -
AXA -
Chubb -
CNA -
Hartford -
Insurance Noodle -
Markel -
Philadelphia -
Risk Placement Services
|
|
We Work with Top Global Brands!
Interbrand annually ranks the best global brands, using criteria such as financial performance and the role and presence of the brand in the global market. Three of our insurance suppliers made this year's list of top 100 global brands:
- AXA (#53),
- Allianz (#67)
- Zurich (#94)
Go Team!
|
|
A Dog is Not an Arsonist's Best Friend
According to Best Review, an insurance industry magazine, dogs are being trained to help fire investigators find accelerant residue (think gasoline) at fire scenes. This is a big deal since arson is the cause of 25% of US fires.
Labrador retrievers are typically used as arson dogs because of their tracking ability, ease of training, sociability and strong work ethic. The dogs are also used in outreach programs focused on fire prevention.
|
|
We Appreciate Referrals!
As a service business, referrals are our biggest source of new clients.
If you know of any other filmmakers needing insurance, please let us know. We promise to give them the same personal and professional service that you've come to expect from the Johnsonese Brokerage. |
|
|
