About Widdoespeak

Hi, I’m Sam Widdoes. I’m a lawyer, producer, and occasionally—a writer. Widdoespeak is my place to think out loud about the things I’m working on and the industry I’m working in.

Over the past decade, I’ve been fortunate to collaborate with award-winning directors, producers, and storytellers. I’ve worn a few hats: commercial litigator, entertainment lawyer, production company co-founder, and producer of documentaries like Blackballed (Quibi/Roku) and As We Speak: Rap Music on Trial (Paramount+), which premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. I’ve advised on projects that have won Academy Awards and been distributed globally, and others that have had to carve their own path—sometimes the more interesting ones.

I started Widdoespeak because I found myself having the same conversations with smart, creative people who are trying to navigate this evolving media landscape. How do you build something lasting? What does it mean to own your work? How do you reach an audience without compromising the soul of the thing?

This newsletter is part tradecraft, part soapbox, and part field notes from the trenches of independent film and creative entrepreneurship. If you're a filmmaker, lawyer, strategist, investor, or just someone curious about how stories get made and seen, I hope there's something here for you.

Thanks for reading. Let’s keep speaking.

— Sam

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Disclaimer

Please note: nothing in this Substack should be considered legal advice. Everything in this newsletter is Sam’s own opinion, and does not represent the views of Bruns Brennan Berry Pikulin & Jacobs P.C., or any of its partners.