Business affairs: Beyond the fine print
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Webinar
Beyond the fine print: Understanding performer residuals
Recorded on Thursday, March 20, 2025
Understanding the details and implications of residuals and royalties are key to building an effective production budget. The CMPA STAR Producer Program hosted a webinar on March 20, 2025, that provided producers with an overview of how residuals work in both the Canadian and U.S. markets, including their impact on budgets, contracts, and distribution. The webinar will feature Dentons’ Jayme Alter (Partner, Media, Entertainment and Sports) and Lindsay Paquette (Senior Manager, Business Affairs) and will be moderated by the CMPA’s Lisa Broadfoot (Vice-President, Industry and Business Affairs).
Jayme Alter is a partner in the Dentons Media, Entertainment and Sports group in Toronto. She provides strategic legal counsel to clients across a variety of industries, including film, television and advertising. Jayme represents producers, artists, broadcasters, distributors and creators, negotiating agreements related to the development, financing, production and distribution of film, television and commercial projects. She also regularly advises companies on the engagement of talent for sponsorship, endorsement and influencer deals. Jayme is particularly recognized for her expertise in cross-border guild issues and for advising her foreign clients on these matters, as well as on production-related challenges. Read more→
Lindsay Paquette is a senior manager of business affairs in Dentons’ Toronto office and an accomplished professional with extensive experience in the entertainment industry. She began her career in live event production and management, working for notable Canadian cultural institutions such as Just for Laughs, Mirvish Productions and the Toronto International Film Festival. Lindsay has since held key legal and business affairs roles at leading production companies and law firms in Canada, contributing to successful live-action and animated productions. Read more→
Lisa Broadfoot is responsible for providing strategic advice to CMPA members with respect to industry matters, business affairs, and production financing. As a member of the CMPA’s senior leadership team, Lisa develops and executes strategies and advocacy related to sources of production financing, provides advice to members regarding industry and business affairs, builds relationships with industry stakeholders, reviews and advises on public policy matters and engages in government relations efforts relating to industry and business affairs matters. Lisa sits on Ontario’s Screen Industry Advisory Council and the Toronto Film, Television and Digital Media Board. She has been an instructor in Production Accounting and Tax Credits for Women in Film and Television – Toronto and is co-chair of Danforth Collegiate and Technical Institute’s School Council. Read more→
Networking
Business affairs “AMA” roundtables
On Monday, May 12, 2025, the STAR Producer Program hosted a virtual networking event focused on navigating the business side of production. In small breakout groups, connect directly with leading business affairs experts specializing in areas such as production financing, tax credits, copyright, insurance, and more.
Whether you’re looking to deepen your understanding, ask specific questions, or expand your network, this is an opportunity to engage with professionals who know the field inside and out.
The featured experts and areas of focus are as follows:
- Angelika Heim, Stohn Hay Cafazzo Heim Finlay (rights, chain of title, copyright, etc.)
- Joe Woodward (production financing)
- Juliet Smith, Dentons (production financing)
- Lon J. Hall, Hall Webber LLP (industrial relations, U.S. unions and guilds)
- Nellie Lindner, BFL Canada (insurance)
- Richard Fowler, Picture & Sound Counsel (production counsel, clearances, etc.)
- Sarah Westman-Liu, Entertainment Partners (tax credits, production management and payroll)
- Stephen Bortolon, Gallagher (insurance)
The event featured three 25-minute breakout sessions, giving participants the chance to engage with multiple experts throughout the session.
Resources
CMPA staff have pulled together an extensive range of supporting business affairs materials, including details about tax credits and incentives, credentialed programs, and an archive of relevant webinars.
To view the resources of this module, click here to login.