Contract and Control in the Entertainment Industry Dancing on the Edge of Heaven

This book examines the contractual relationships of creative artists within a number of areas of the entertainment industry. Whilst it focuses specifically on football, cricket, boxing and music, developments within other parts of the entertainment business are observed. The book also charts the concessions (artistic, professional and personal) that are often made by such artists in an attempt to achieve success and the consequent legal problems that may arise from their working relationships. Embracing historical materials and current legal practices, Contract and Control in the Entertainment Industry will be of interest to academics and students in the fields of law, sociology and cultural studies. It will also appeal to anyone who is interested in seeing how many areas of the entertainment industry have placed very restrictive contractual controls on the raw materials of the industry - the creative artists.

Contents: Introduction: Of human bondage. Entertainment, Control and Contestation: Selling soles, contract and control in football; Rough trade, contract and control in the music industry; A brutal aesthetic, contract and control in boxing; Circus games, contract and control in cricket. Conclusion: Into the holy of holies.