“10 Things I Hate About . . .” Contract Breaches

The critical incident stems from a contract dispute between actor Evan Rachel Wood and film producer 10 Things I Hate, LLC, concerning the film 10 Things I Hate About Life. The producer contended that Ms. Wood was in breach of her Artist Services Agreement because she worked only 11 days instead of seven weeks. Ms. Wood contended that the producer had inadequately financed the film, and that production had stopped because of financing; hence, she was not obligated to perform. This critical incident asks students to decide whether the producer should sue, and to consider what claims it should consider bringing against Ms. Wood, including what damages the producer might be entitled to recover. In considering the producer’s option to sue, the student is asked to consider what defenses or counterclaims the producer might anticipate from the defendant as well any independent claims that Ms. Wood might bring against the producer.