Reading Rainbow Live Focuses on Interactivity and Representation

Named an entertainment and sports super lawyer since the 2006 edition of New York Super Lawyers, Steven C. Beer joined the law firm of Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP as a partner in 2021. In addition to representing film, television, and music companies, Steven C. Beer serves as executive producer of the 2022 program Reading Rainbow Live.

A reboot of the beloved PBS Kids program Reading Rainbow, which aired from 1983 to 2006, Reading Rainbow Live aims to address the unique educational challenges parents faced when the COVID-19 pandemic required children to learn from home. To that end, the program provides engaging educational content that encourages healthy movement and a love of music and reading.

To optimize inclusivity and representation, Reading Rainbow Live features an ensemble cast of hosts known as “The Rainbows.” The show will leverage the power of technology to create an interactive experience for young viewers. Through the interactive virtual platform Looped, viewers can play games, ask questions, and even appear “on stage” during each 25-minute episode.

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Selecting a Foreign Sales Agent and Setting a Contract Time Frame

As an attorney with Franklin, Weinrib, Rudell & Vassallo in New York City, Steven C. Beer focuses on areas of media and entertainment such as film licenses and copyrights. An area in which Steven C. Beer has extensive knowledge is in foreign distribution, where film producers often create significant commercial revenue streams through strategically navigating international licenses.

In addition to securing a reliable and effective foreign sales agent, film producers must negotiate sales agency agreements. These authorize the agent to work exclusively within designated foreign territories and arrange licenses. 

One major aspect of these agreements to consider is the length of the term, with a brief initial two-year period often agreed upon. This provides the agent with time to achieve revenue milestones that allow the agreement to be extended. With the film’s value decreasing significantly over the two year period beginning at its release, this also helps ensure that all possible avenues are explored in maximizing the value of the asset.

Legendary Performers Filled the Summerstage 2017 Program

Thanks to the support of donors such as media and entertainment attorney Steven C. Beer, the City Parks Foundation is able to provide arts, sports, and cultural programming to New York City residents absolutely free. Steven C. Beer, who currently serves with the firm of Franklin, Weinrib, Rudell & Vassallo, has helped guide the careers of contemporary legends such as Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, and Britney Spears.

The City Parks Foundation offers a spectacular line-up of free public concerts every summer at Summerstage events held in parks throughout all five boroughs. The program’s mainstage, at Rumsey Playfield in Central Park, was only one of the many participating venues for some 100 performances over the summer of 2017.

That year, Mavis Staples opened the season with a Central Park performance as the headliner in a concert that also featured Toshi Reagon. Staples, now in her late 70s, is an icon both in the music field and for her lifelong commitment to civil rights.

Later in the season, George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic performed a Summerstage concert in Flushing Meadows. Clinton, also now in his 70s, remains another strong performer dedicated to expanding his musical message for a new generation. Current members of P-Funk include seasoned performers and emerging young talent.

Other acts in the Summerstage lineup across New York in 2017 included Regina Spektor, Buffy Sainte-Marie, and Elvis Costello & The Imposters.

With good reason, the blog Gothamist has called Summerstage one of the best recommendations for living in New York City.

Stages in Film Production

A partner at Franklin Weinrib Rudell and Vassallo, Steven C. Beer represents companies and individuals in media and entertainment. Steven C. Beer also executive produced the Disneymania album and maintains an interest in film production.

Film production involves three distinct stages that encompass the process from developing an idea to completion of the final copy.

Pre-production in films begins after tasks such as financing, writing a screenplay, casting and staffing are completed. Pre-production includes scouting for location, identifying and preparing props and wardrobe, choosing and developing special effects, scheduling and setting production and construction, partially finalizing the script, and reading through scripts with the cast and other staff in the project.

Production describes the phase where actual shooting and recording happen. Cameras roll and actors take on their scenes. This is the point where the project needs to proceed, and cancellation is not an option. Lighting requirements, framing and other elements are applied when capturing scenes for this process.

Post-production begins when all scenes have been captured. Tasks in post-production include video footage editing, soundtrack editing, title, graphics, and special effects addition, as well as re-shooting, if necessary.

The City Parks Foundation Learning Gardens Initiative

Leveraging more than 30 years of relevant legal experience, Steven C. Beer is a published author as well as a media and entertainment attorney with Franklin Weinrib Rudell & Vassallo. In addition to his work in the entertainment industry, Steven C. Beer is a trustee of the City Parks Foundation (CPF).

Based in New York City, CPF seeks to transform public parks into dynamic spaces for sports, arts, and educational programs. Among its educational initiatives, the foundation hosts a variety of green-based outreach programs, including Learning Gardens, which allows elementary and middle school students the opportunity to foster a love of nature and science through hands-on lessons focused on biodiversity and garden maintenance. 

CPF operates Learning Gardens locations in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens, where students from area schools complete 14 science lessons. Students who enjoy the program are encouraged to sign up for the Learning Gardens' six-week summer program, which stresses growing food. 

CPF also offers a free five-month high school training program in which students can earn high school credits. Those who excel in the program can earn the opportunity to take part in a paid summer internship with CPF.

Things Parents of Child Stars Should Know

A partner at the firm of Franklin, Weinrib, Rudell & Vassallo, Steven C. Beer is a media and entertainment attorney who recently authored a book for parents of children who work in the music and entertainment industry. In 2015, Steven C. Beer spoke with a Reuters contributor and discussed the responsibilities of parents helping a child pursue stardom, revealing these useful pieces of advice:

1. Don’t force children to practice or learn their craft. Children who become stars typically share an “it factor.” Many kids have talent, but those who make it in show business are self-motivated, responsible beyond their years, and don’t need parents to pressure them to practice their skills.

2. Write a budget and stick to it. Supporting a child’s pursuit of stardom is an expensive endeavor, and parents should make sure they plan ahead to cover costs related to investments such as vocal coaches, acting teachers, and travel to and from auditions.

3. Don’t accept an offer without thorough consideration. Parents may feel enthusiastic about the job offers their children receive, but it’s a good idea to have a legal professional review contracts before accepting anything.

Read the entire article about parenting a child star at www.reuters.com/article/us-money-child-stars/the-guide-to-raising-child-stars-idUSKCN0S71V320151013.

Your Child’s Career in Music and Entertainment - a Parent’s Guide

Since 2012, Steven C. Beer has served as a media and entertainment attorney with Franklin, Weinrib, Rudell & Vassallo in New York City. An accomplished writer, Steven C. Beer has also written several articles and books related to the entertainment industry, including Your Child’s Career in Music and Entertainment: The Prudent Parent’s Guide from Start to Stardom. 

Published by Allworth Press in 2015, Your Child’s Career in Music and Entertainment offers parents a comprehensive guide to transforming their child’s talents and passions into a career in the entertainment industry. The book, which is organized in a question-and-answer format, covers a wide range of topics, including audition preparation, professional consultations, and legal protections for children. 

The book highlights the importance of children having a work-life balance and parents ensuring that professional pursuits do not interfere with their children's health or happiness. Ultimately, the book seeks to help families of talented kids create environments that support the children’s aspirations while giving them the tools they need to become responsible and happy adults in charge of their own careers.