Ellery Queen is out on DVD
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ghostfan — 15 years ago(February 12, 2011 09:12 AM)
I've been wondering about this for years - and the answer is, I think they MIGHT get some kind of residual payment, depending on the contract they signed when they did the show.
A few years before she died, Peggy Lee sued Disney and won because they tried to gyp her out of any royalties when the VHS of Lady And The Tramp was released. Her recording contract read something along the lines of her "voice could not be used in any future release in any form without compensation." By then she was way older, and sick, and I think Disney thought she wouldn't catch it or something. Anyway, she won a bundle.
Likewise, recording artists/writers have constant issues when their songs are used to set the mood (like Cold Case) and the contract is written to cover it's use in that show only - and for broadcast only. Any future use has to be a separate contract with separate compensation. (Which is why sometimes a show never gets released on vid, or the song that was originally used is replaced or cut.)
Again, I think some of the stars are probably getting some kind of compensation, but it probably has to do with their contract signed at the time.
Actually, this is something I would love to know more about - some of my favorite shows STILL haven't been released on video!
2-23 edit
Okay - I talked to an e-mail buddy of mine (whe was a child actress back in the 60's, appeared regularly on one TV show in the late 60's and in a couple of movies.
She told me that usually the way it worked in her case was when you are a regular, even a few lines in a weekly series, as far as the re runs go, you get paid for X number of runs in the residual market. In her case, ten for the series she was in.
She also told me that some appearances work on a 'in perpetuam' basis, in the case of DVD's - but again, it depends on the contract. She appeared in ONE star Trek episode (had one line) but now with the DVD sales, she is getting a teeny teeny royalty for the sale of that one episode in one season for one line. LOL - She mentioned actually getting a royalty check for .30 cents.
So I guess it IS possible that some of the actors who appeared on Ellery, if they are still alive, are actually getting a check now and then! -
ccurts2319 — 14 years ago(May 04, 2011 07:25 PM)
The screen actors guild had a lawsuit on behalf of actors for having royalties paid to their estates after they died. Although I did not find the specific ending, I was told in an email that it was settled in favor of the actors. Unsure what other organizations, if any, may have been involved. It's possible that all tv and screen actors now have their royalties preserved even after death.
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ccurts2319 — 14 years ago(May 22, 2011 09:46 PM)
FYItriviaAudrey Meadows is the FIRST and at that time ONLY actor/actress to receive money for reruns. (You remember hershe played Alice Cramden, wife of Ralph Cramden the bus driver, in the Honeymooners, taped before live audiences. Friends of Norton (sewer worker) and Trixie.)
In an interview, Ms. Meadows said16d0 her nephew was a lawyer, and asked her to trust him and let him negotiate the contract for her, and she did. The contract negotiated a royalty for reruns. Wonder if she had to fight to get it from the Studios or producers or whoever owns the copyrighted audio/video originally produced. Had the impression that she was doing rather well during times when other actors were struggling. She gave much credit to her nephew as a good businessman who 'set her up for life' so to speak.
After the man achieved his goal, many actors supported it, and per my understanding, his success resulted in the movement to push for rerun benefits as a standard entitlement in contracts. I wish I had time to research this in detail.
FYIJohn Hillerman from EQ is still alive and well. Very nice gentleman.