Smart Family Hires Entertainment Lawyer
How incredibly crass is this? They’re screening book and movie proposals about Elizabeth’s abduction… she’s been home, what, a month? Do we even know what all happened to her while she was gone? Does anyone give a shit that she’s probably emotionally scarred very deeply?
Ah, but of course, we can make a buck in the meantime. It’s the American way!
:rolleyes:
Unfortunately, you knew this was going to happen. Expect the same with Jessica Lynch.
I would rather have her story be told only through the medium of tabloids.
Hmm, I don’t see this as all that crass myself (maybe because I’m a lawyer). In fact, the reason they hired the lawyer may be the exact reason why you think it’s bizarre for them to do so–it’s only been a month since the incident so the family wants to heal.
While the family’s healing, the lawyer can take calls from movie people and book people and reporters and whatnot. Also, note that the lawyer may or may not be an actual “etertainment lawyer” (people (and lawyers themselves) have a way of tacking adjectives in front of the word “lawyer” to make a better story), but if (s)he is an entertainment lawyer, that doesn’t mean they’ll do a book deal in the next week. They may not do one for a year but wanted to develop a relationship with a lawyer early.
The story is going to be told, with or without their approval.
This way, at least, she’ll get some money for college and they’ll have some control.
I’m hoping they sell the rights and put a moratorium, say 10 years, before the movie/miniseries/Lifetime Special Presentation can be produced.
Heard this morning on the radio that a rough script was going a for a movie on Jessica Lynch’s story. Who does the producers want her portrayed by? None other than Sarah “Buffy” Michelle Gellar.
I don’t get the impression that the Smart family is hurting for money. As others have said, it might be a pre-emptive strike, to make sure that if the story is going to be told, it is told in a way they approve of. It could be really sordid if they don’t keep control over it.
After what they and she have been through, I don’t feel inclined to judge their decisions.
I agree with TaxGuy. You know they’ve had a hundred book and movie deals thrown at them, and it would be short sighted to give a blanket “no.”
One thing I’ve learned about lawyers, is hire a specialist.
It might be a good idea to hire a lawyer who has experience dealing with the entertainment industry if for no other reason than to sue, and with considerable skill, the beejays out of each and every scum who does try to make a buck sensationalizing her ordeal.
We don’t know (and may never know) exactly what the little girl went through. Having a lawyer negotiate the terms of any deal , including the script, is a pretty smart way to control what part of the ordeal the family and Elizabeth’s friends will see on TV.
If it were my family I simply couldn’t watch a show that portrayed the horrific details of any of the possible abuse. I hope that they can control it.
SS
What TaxGuy said. The article doesn’t say they hired the attorney so they could immediately start sifting through their offers. Rather, I think it’s much more likely they got an attorney to act as a screening system. No doubt they’ve been buried by calls from entertainment types (who are much sleazier about this stuff than lawyers, believe me). Now, they can just say, “Call my lawyer,” and hang up. Better solution all around.
Maybe they could get Elizabeth Smart to play Jessica Lynch.
In a cross over team-up with Buffy the Vampire Slayer.