Joan Laws

An expert in Broadcast Business Affairs and Payroll for Commercials, Film/TV/New Media and Industrials since 1986 I began as a talent payment coordinator managing talent payment for local and national advertising (Dunkin Donuts, 7-Eleven, Revlon, Bank Of America etc), for the booming Industrial production market (Digital, Honeywell, etc.), and for Warner Brothers' "Spencer for Hire". I eventually managed talent payroll for the largest ad agencies in New England. I trained and guided Producers, Broadcast Affairs and Accounts Managers in the intricacies of the Unions' rules. In 1992 I was hired by the New England branch of AFTRA and Screen Actors Guild as the Director of Freelance Contracts. I administrated the contracts for employment in Radio & TV Commercials, Industrials, Theatrical, and TV Programs including Cable, Public Television (E.g. WGBH), Commercial and Public Radio Programming. In the 10 years of employment with the Unions I gained a deeper knowledge of many of the Actors' contracts and a broader understanding of the Collective Bargaining process. In addition to developing a thorough understanding of the inner-workings of the Unions, I was known for working well with the commercial-production, and the newly expanding film-production communities to encourage and develop harmonious working relationships between actors and their employers. With this accumulated knowledge and experience I can guide you successfully from pre-production (clearing talent, estimates, cost effective scheduling, understanding the applications of the contracts) to completion (accurate payroll, project finalization). Specialties: Union negotiation, SAG and AFTRA Contracts compliance consulting, talent payroll budgeting