Grandma Press

The Challenge:
Driven by her lifelong commitment to education, Dr. Marie Amoruso decided to forego her retirement in order to explore the impact of the controversial “Common Core” standardized curricula and tests that are used to assess K-12 student achievement. To this end, Dr. Amoruso, a public school educator for more than 55 years and a former adjunct professor at Teachers College Columbia University for over 14 years, enrolled in a course to learn the basics of filmmaking. Equipped with new technical skills, she filmed interviews with an array of parents, administrators, teachers and professors to create “More… than a score,” a poignant documentary that examines the Common Core in action in kindergarten classrooms. To make her film project take flight and reach her audiences, Dr. Amoruso needed assistance with contracts, copyrights and releases and incorporating her production and publishing company, Grandma Press.

The Result:
Tarter Krinsky & Drogin prides itself on providing high-quality legal services and rates that are tailor-made for the middle market, making the firm accessible to entrepreneurs like Dr. Amoruso. She was able to retain the firm and efficiently obtain assistance with the business and IP matters relating to “More… than a score” as well as a children’s book she co-authored, titled Grandma Needs a Nap.

Tarter Krinsky & Drogin Intellectual Property chair Amy Goldsmith helped to incorporate Grandma Press and also drafted various licensing contracts for work with cinematographers, editors and musicians. In addition, she crafted releases for the film’s locations, interviewees and others who are featured in the film, including minor children. Finally, she created a template that protects Grandma Press’ intellectual property and filed copyrights for the film on behalf of Dr. Amoruso.