$0.00 – $6.00
Robyn Cali and Robert C. Bordone
Two-party, multi-issue, potentially integrative settlement negotiation between lawyers for a large entertainment conglomerate and its wholly-owned film production company over the rights to a new documentary film and the clients' future relationship
OVERVIEW:
Camilia Pictures is a film production company dedicated to producing movies with artistic merit, strong market potential, and cutting-edge sensibilities. Seven years ago, Camilia Pictures President Raven Reynolds, then an independent producer with a small company and a big Hollywood name, and Rick Statler, CEO of family entertainment powerhouse Labrador Entertainment, agreed to a merger. Camilia would continue to produce high-quality films, but it would do so as a part of the larger Labrador empire. Though Reynolds would still run Camilia, all movies it produced would now belong to Labrador.
For its first few years under the Labrador umbrella, Camilia Pictures thrived. But for the past few years, it has struggled as Reynolds and Statler continue to battle over money. Reynolds insists that she needs more to succeed. Statler, meanwhile, is increasingly concerned about the bottom line. The dispute between these two came to a head when Reynolds used her own money to purchase Privileges and Immunities, a controversial new documentary, against Statler’s direct orders. Reynolds contends that because she used her own money to buy it and Statler is refusing to distribute it, she has the right to make her own arrangements to bring Privileges to theaters. Statler insists that the film belongs to Labrador and that he is completely within his rights to refuse distribution. Labrador’s in-house counsel has referred both parties to separate lawyers to avoid a conflict of interest.
This simulation revolves around the meeting between the lawyers for Labrador Entertainment and Camilia Pictures, but is also suitable for use by non-lawyers. At stake is not only the ownership of the new documentary, but also the future of Raven Reynolds and Camilia Pictures at Labrador Entertainment.
MECHANICS:
Time Required:
- 2 hours individual preparation (preferably outside of class)
- 45-60 minutes preparation by side (optional)
- 45-60 minutes negotiation
- 1-2 hours debriefing
Group Size: 2 or 4 persons (lawyers may negotiate individually or in pairs)
Materials Required:
- General Instructions for both parties
- Confidential Instructions for Raven Reynolds’ attorney
- Confidential Instructions for Rick Statler’s attorney
- Illustrative 7-Element Preparation worksheet (to be distributed after the negotiation)
Teacher's Package includes:
- All of the above
- Teaching note
MAJOR LESSONS:
This simulation is useful for focusing on a range of negotiation issues, including:
- Use of the Seven Element framework in preparation and negotiation (particularly interests, options, and objective criteria)
- Tension between empathy and assertiveness
- Tension between creating and distributing value (and associated issues such as disclosure)
- Dispute resolution in the context of a long-term relationship
- Issue control and strategy in a multi-issue negotiation
- Agreement-drafting skills and implementation orientation
- Relationship between negotiation process and substance
- Role of attorneys / agents in negotiation
Camilia Pictures Attributes
Time required: | 2-3 hours |
---|---|
Number of participants: | 2 |
Teams involved: | No |
Agent present: | Lawyer |
Neutral third party present: | None |
Scoreable: | No |
Teaching notes available: | Yes |
Non-English version available: | French |