Frequently Asked Questions
1. What does Business Affairs actually mean?
We're the bridge between creative vision and business reality. We flag risks & concerns, and figure out a way to deal with them. We negotiate deals, draft contracts, clear rights, handle talent agreements and make sure your creative projects don't turn into legal nightmares. Think of us as your creative project's bodyguard – we protect what matters while letting the magic happen.
2. Can you handle legal stuff like litigation?
We focus on keeping you OUT of litigation through solid contracts and proactive deal-making. While we don't handle courtroom battles, we can connect trusted litigation partners when things get messy.
3. Do you provide templates for my business?
Absolutely! We create custom template libraries tailored to your specific needs – from basic service agreements to complex production contracts.
4. Can you work on both Union and Non-Union talent negotiations?
Yes! We navigate both SAG-AFTRA, DGA, WGA agreements and non-union talent deals. We know the union rules inside and out, and we're equally comfortable with independent contractor negotiations for non-union projects.
5. How much do you charge?
Send us an email to hello@tikandtie.com and we’ll send you our Rate Card and Capabilities Deck.
6. Do you work with small businesses or just big companies?
We work with everyone from solo freelancers to major studios. Whether you're a one-person creative shop or a growing agency, we scale our services to match your needs and budget.
7. Can you help with international projects?
Yes! We handle cross-border deals and international productions. We work with local counsel worldwide to ensure compliance with regional laws and industry practices.
8. What's the difference between you and a regular entertainment lawyer?
Traditional entertainment lawyers often focus on big-ticket legal matters such as negotiating multi-million dollar studio deals, estate transactions, divorce settlements and litigation.
We’re the opposite! We dive deep into the day-to-day business operations that keep your business running, and actually understand the creative process from the inside out.
We live in the trenches with you, handling everything from freelancer agreements to music clearances to vendor contracts, because we know that $5K sync deal can be just as crucial as the $500K production contract. Most importantly, we don't just understand the legal side – we understand the creative process because we ARE creatives, so when we review your contracts, we're thinking about how they'll actually impact your workflow, timeline, and artistic vision, not just the liability issues.
9. How quickly can you turn around contracts?
For standard agreements, typically 24-48 hours. Complex deals might take a few days to a week. Rush jobs? We can accommodate urgent timelines – just let us know what you're working with.
10. Do you handle music rights and clearances?
Absolutely! We clear music for commercials, films, digital content, and live events. We negotiate sync licenses, master use licenses, and handle all the paperwork that makes the music legally yours to use.
11. Can you negotiate my salary or freelance rates?
We don't typically handle individual employment negotiations, but we absolutely help with freelance service agreements, consulting contracts, and creative services deals. We'll make sure you're protected and fairly compensated.
12. What industries do you specialize in?
Entertainment, advertising, digital content, gaming, music, and emerging media. Basically, anywhere creativity meets commerce, we're there to make sure both sides win.
13. Do you help with copyright and trademark issues?
Yes - handle all preliminary searches and red flags in-house. For all copyright registrations, trademark applications, IP licensing, infringement issues and cease-and-desist situations, we lean on our amazing outside IP counsel.
14. Can you review contracts that other people send me?
Definitely! Contract review is one of our most popular services. We'll break down what everything means, flag potential problems, and suggest revisions to protect your interests.
15. Do you work with influencers and content creators?
Absolutely! We handle brand partnership agreements, sponsorship deals, licensing contracts, and help navigate the unique legal landscape of digital content creation.
16. What's your turnaround time for starting a new project?
We can typically begin new projects within a few days to a week, depending on our current workload. For urgent matters, we often accommodate same-day or next-day starts.
17. Do you handle NDAs and confidentiality agreements?
Yes, NDAs are our bread and butter! We draft, review, and negotiate confidentiality agreements for everything from pitch meetings to major collaborations.
18. Can you help with production legal for film/TV projects?
We handle many production legal tasks including talent agreements, location releases, crew deals, and vendor contracts. For complex productions, we coordinate with specialized production attorneys.
19. Do you provide ongoing support or just one-off projects?
Both! We love building long-term relationships with clients who need ongoing support, but we're equally happy to jump in for single projects. Many clients start with one-off work and evolve into ongoing partnerships.
20. What makes you different from other business affairs consultants?
We're creatives first, lawyers second. We don't just understand contracts – we understand the creative process, industry workflows, and what actually matters to artists and creative businesses. Plus, we explain everything in plain English, not legal-ese.
21. Can you represent me in court?
Although we have lawyers on our team, we may not be eligible to practice law in your jurisdiction. Think of Business Affairs as your bodyguard that protects you from any legal risk. It’s our job to highlight the things in your project that we need to fix or pay attention to, so that you don’t get sued and need to hire an attorney.