How To Read Contracts - Panel #3

THURSDAY, Sept. 25, 2025  - 10:00am - 1:00pm

(10-11am mixer) Food and drink provided by Republik Coffee.

Location: Hollywood Production Center, 300 N. Third Street, Rooftop, Burbank, CA 91502 Please note: NO high heels on the rooftop.

Industry professionals give advice on how to read contracts, the different kinds of contracts, what to look out for, and what to brief before signing a film contract.

-PANELISTS-

ALEXSIA BROWN

Alexsia Brown previously held the role of a union crew signatory supervisor at a signatory service and is currently working as an assistant contract administrator at IATSE. She has advised on union contracts on features, TV, and commercials for production companies such as A24, Radical Media and Titmouse. She is also representing the Writers’ Guild Theater staff in a bargaining committee currently negotiating a union contract for all WGA West staff. 

She is knowledgeable of IATSE, Teamsters, WGA, and AICP union agreements. She has advised on union contracts on films that have premiered at Sundance, SXSW, and Toronto International Film Festival. These films include Death of a Unicorn, Queen of the Ring, First-Time Female Director, and The Iron Claw. Alexsia also holds a BA in English from Temple University in Philadelphia and is currently pursuing a Certificate in Entertainment Law and Industry from USC. 

ARINE HARAPETI

Arine Harapeti is a seasoned entertainment lawyer with a passion for the entertainment industry that spans almost two decades. Since 2006, Arine has been active in the entertainment industry specializing in representing writers, directors, actors, producers, production companies and studios in film, television and new media.

Arine earned her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in 2008 and her Juris Doctor Degree from University of San Diego (USD) in 2012. She started her career at the age of 17 as an assistant to two seasoned entertainment lawyers, followed by internships at Sony Entertainment and Brillstein Entertainment Partners. After earning her Juris Doctor, she practiced as an Associate Attorney at an LA-based entertainment law firm where she worked with a variety of talent and companies, including Tyler Perry Studios, actors on The Walking Dead, Sons of Anarchy, Brooklyn Nine-Nine and other award-winning creators and filmmakers. In 2016, Arine founded her own practice and serves creators, talent, and filmmakers who believe in the power and impact of storytelling. 

Some of her recent deals she has brokered include projects with Lionsgate, Warner Bros., Sony, NBC Universal, Amazon, BET, Disney Television, Disney+, AMC, ABC Signature, Skydance and Netflix.

ASA PITT

Asa Pitt is a Los Angeles based entertainment attorney representing artists, creatives, financiers, and businesses across film, television, and digital media. With a practical approach and deep understanding of the industry, Asa navigates deal-making, risk assessment, and dispute resolution with strategic clarity. Asa takes pride in championing clients who bring drive, vision, and entrepreneurial spirit to their work. 

(LIGHT YEAR PICTURES)

MICHELLE ALEXANDRA

Michelle Alexandria an LA native, began her career in finance, working with high-net-worth individuals and major financial institutions. As Finance Director for Jaguar Cars for several years, she refined her expertise with clients, laying a strong foundation for her later work in film producing and distribution. Her time living and studying in Paris further deepened her global industry connections and perspective on international cinema.Since 2002, Michelle has actively attended major film festivals and markets such as Cannes, AFM, Berlin, Buenos Aires, UniFrance, and Sundance, building an extensive international network. Through Light Year Pictures, she develops, finances, and distributes genre feature films, partnering with investors and creatives to deliver content that resonates across audiences and markets.

Michelle founded her film production company Light Year Pictures in 2020 producing several films of all genres. Among her credits are the faith-based film Reason to Believe starring Jennifer Taylor (distributed by Collide Entertainment), the equestrian family drama Kaitlyn’s Chance starring Sean Patrick Flanery and Jaime King, and the dramedy The Tale of Nicky Newark featuring Sean Patrick Flanery, Frank Whaley, and Kelly Stables, sci-fi feature Sideslip starring Chase Coleman and Bruce Locke. Most recently she produced an arthouse film in Tuscany, Italy A Silhouette of a Woman starring Lili Bordan. Michelle has also produced successful family films and thrillers, always focusing on projects with strong storylines and market appeal.

Beyond producing, Michelle has acquired and distributed hundreds of films worldwide. She is a member of the Producers Guild of America (PGA) on the Producers Council and serves on the advisory board of the Burbank International Film Festival. Dedicated to supporting the next generation of filmmakers, Michelle frequently mentors emerging talent through workshops on financing, production, and international distribution.With her combined background in finance, production, and global distribution, Michelle Alexandria brings a strategic and creative approach to every project she champions.

-Moderator-

Jen Prince is an independent film producer, director and editor originally from San Antonio, Texas. Feature producing credits include California Scenario (currently in post-production), 7000 Miles, Quality Problems, And Then There Was Eve, and Eve of Understanding. Her work in immersive and virtual reality earned her a Sports Emmy Nomination for Digital Innovation (XXIV OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES First 8k Immersive Livestream, Cosm/NBC). She produced and edited, together with Metamorfic Productions producing partner Jhennifer Webberley, an immersive feature-length shared reality experience of Cirque du Soleil’s “O” for the new Cosm domes opening around the country and has just wrapped production on a second immersive feature for Cosm. Post-Production TV Credits include the Emmy Awards, The Contender, and The Amazing Race. Jen is a graduate of the MFA Film Production Program at USC and earned her BFA in Acting and a BA in Liberal Arts in the Plan II Honors Program at the University of Texas at Austin. She is a faculty member at New York Film Academy in Burbank, CA and serves as a mentor for The University of Texas at Austin.