AMENDED AND RESTATED EXECUTIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT
EX-10.7 11 p16633a1exv10w7.htm EX-10.7 exv10w7
Exhibit 10.7
AMENDED AND RESTATED
EXECUTIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT
EXECUTIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT
This AMENDED AND RESTATED EXECUTIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT (this Agreement), dated as of December 1, 2009 (the Effective Date), by and among The Film Department Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the Company), Chateau Holdings, Inc., an Idaho corporation (the Lender), and Robert Katz (the Executive), for the executive services of the Executive.
WHEREAS, the Company and the Executive entered into an Executive Services Agreement dated as of June 25, 2007, as amended by that certain First Amendment to Employment Agreement, effective as of January 16, 2009, as further amended by that certain Second Amendment to Employment Agreement, effective as of July 16, 2009 (which the parties have agreed is void ab initio), as further amended by that certain Third Amendment to Employment Agreement, effective as of July 16, 2009, and as further amended by that certain Fourth Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated as of September 1, 2009 (collectively, the Original Agreement);
WHEREAS, the Company recognizes that the Executive possesses special and unique skills and the Company wishes to assure itself of the services of the Executive;
WHEREAS, the Executive and the Lender have requested that the Lender instead provide the services of the Executive to the Company pursuant to an amended and restated agreement; and
WHEREAS, the parties hereto have agreed to amend and restate the Original Agreement in its entirety upon the terms and conditions set forth herein.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the various covenants and agreements hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Engagement and Term. The Lender hereby lends to the Company, and the Company hereby accepts, the services of the Executive, as an independent contractor, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement. The term of the engagement hereunder shall commence on the Effective Date and shall continue until July 31, 2011 (the period from the Effective Date through the earlier of such expiration or termination, as such period may be extended hereunder, is referred to herein the Engagement Term); provided, however, in the event that the Company or its successor-in-interest consummates an Equity Transaction (as defined below) on or prior to April 1, 2010, then the Engagement Term shall continue until July 31, 2013, unless earlier terminated in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. Following expiration of the Engagement Term, any engagement by the Company of the services of the Executive through the Lender shall be at will. Immediately upon termination of the engagement of the Lender and the Executive for any reason, the Executive shall be deemed to have concurrently resigned from all offices and positions he then holds with the Company and any subsidiaries or affiliates of the Company (Subsidiaries).
For purposes of this Agreement: (a) Equity Transaction means, with respect to the Company or
its successor-in-interest, (i) a firm commitment underwritten public offering, pursuant to an effective registration statement filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, covering the offer and sale of the Companys (or any successor in interests) equity interests or (ii) the closing of a private equity investment in the Company or its successor-in-interest, in either case, with an aggregate offering price (after deduction of underwriters discounts and commissions) which equals or exceeds the amount determined in good faith by the Board reasonably anticipated to be sufficient to (1) finance the buy-out of the Holders (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement (as defined below)) pursuant to the Eton Park Buyout Agreement (as defined in the LLC Agreement (as defined below)), (2) commence the Companys (or its successor-in-interests) proposed U.S. distribution business and (3) otherwise provide for the operating needs of the Company or its successor-in-interest; and (b) Securities Purchase Agreement means that certain Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 27, 2007 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, including pursuant to that certain Forbearance Agreement and Amendment to Securities Purchase Agreement and Other Note Documents dated as of September 2, 2009, as amended to date), by and among the Company, the Operating Company (as defined below), Union Bank, N.A., in its capacity as collateral agent for the Holders, and the Holders (as defined therein).
2. Position, Duties, and Responsibilities.
a. President of Production. During the Engagement Term, the Executive shall be President of Production of the Company and the Companys wholly-owned Subsidiary, The Film Department LLC (the Operating Company). In such capacity, the Executive shall have the powers and authorities of a president of production as customarily exercised by comparable companies in the independent film industry, and shall be responsible for the day-to-day business and operations of the production efforts on behalf of the Company and its Subsidiaries. The Executive shall report directly to the Chief Executive Officer (the CEO) and President & Chief Operating Officer (the President & COO) of the Company.
b. Hierarchy. The Executive shall be the highest ranking production executive at the Company and its Subsidiaries during the Engagement Term.
c. Greenlight Committee. At all times during the Engagement Term, Executive shall be a member of the Greenlight Committee of the Company (as defined in the Companys Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement, dated as of December 1, 2009 (the LLC Agreement)).
d. Performance of Duties. During the Engagement Term, the Executive shall devote all of his working and business time, attention and energies to performing his duties hereunder. The Executive shall perform his duties and obligations hereunder diligently, faithfully, competently and to the best of his abilities in furtherance of the business of the Company, and in accordance with the highest ethical and professional standards.
e. Competition.
(i) During the Engagement Term and for any applicable Severance Period (as defined below) for which the Lender or the Executive are being compensated
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by the Company (including pursuant to Section 8(c) or Section 8(d)), neither the Lender nor the Executive shall, directly or indirectly, in any city, town, county, parish or other municipality in any state of the United States (the names of each such city, town, parish, or other municipality, including, without limitation, the name of each county in the State of California, being expressly incorporated by reference herein), or any other place in the world, where the Company, any of the Subsidiaries, or any of their successors or assigns, engages or proposes to engage in the Business (as defined in the LLC Agreement) or any other business then contemplated, engaged in by the Company or any Subsidiary (the Competitive Business), engage or in any way become interested in any person or entity that engages in any capacity, including, without limitation, as an individual, partner, shareholder, owner, member, principal, joint venturer, officer, director, agent, employee, independent contractor, trustee, advisor, representative, consultant or otherwise, in the Competitive Business; provided however, that the Lender and/or the Executive may (i) continue to maintain a passive involvement in the projects described on Exhibit A attached hereto (i.e., no services to be provided or other activities to be undertaken by the Lender and/or the Executive with respect to such matters; rather Lender and/or the Executive solely will be receiving credit and collecting fees for services previously provided or activities previously undertaken) and the Company shall have no right to the compensation, if any, payable to Lender and/or the Executive in connection with the fulfillment of such obligations or to reduce any compensation payable hereunder, (ii) serve as an officer or director of, or otherwise participate in, educational, welfare, social, religious and civic organizations, (iii) deliver lectures or fulfill speaking engagements, or (iv) manage personal investments (provided that the Executive shall not manage actively any personal investments in any person or entity in the entertainment industry or related to the Competitive Business or that is or may be directly or indirectly competitive with the Company or any Subsidiary), in each case under this Section 2(e)(i) as long as such activities do not in any way interfere with the performance of the Executives duties or obligations hereunder.
(ii) No provision of this Agreement shall be construed to prohibit the Lenders and/or the Executives acquisition, ownership, or trading of a passive, noncontrolling interest of less than five percent (5%) of the issued and outstanding publicly traded stock of such entity.
f. Nonsolicitation. At all times during the Engagement Term and for a period of two (2) years after termination of this Agreement for any reason (including for purposes of this Agreement the expiration of the Engagement Term), neither the Lender nor the Executive shall, directly or indirectly, without first acquiring the prior written consent of the Company, solicit, induce, or attempt to solicit or induce any officer, director, employee, member, agent, advisor, representative or consultant of the Company or any Subsidiary to terminate his, her or its employment or other relationship with the Company or any Subsidiary for any reason whatsoever, including, without limitation, for the purpose of associating with any competitor of the Company or any Subsidiary or otherwise encourage any such person or entity to leave, sever or otherwise change his, her or its employment or other relationship with the Company or any Subsidiary.
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g. Noninterference. During the Engagement Term and for a period of two (2) years after the termination of this Agreement for any reason, neither the Lender nor the Executive shall, directly or indirectly, solicit, induce, or attempt to solicit or induce any customers, clients, vendors, suppliers or consultants of, or others having a business relationship with, the Company or any Subsidiary to terminate or change his, her or its relationship with the Company or any Subsidiary, for any reasons whatsoever, including, without limitation, for the purpose of associating with any competitor of the Company or any Subsidiary or otherwise encourage such customers, clients, vendors, suppliers or consultants of the Company or any Subsidiary to terminate, sever or change his, her or its relationship with the Company or any Subsidiary for any reason.
h. Rights and Remedies upon Breach. If the Lender or the Executive breaches any of the provisions of Sections 2(e), (f) or (g) above (the Restrictive Covenants), the Company and any Subsidiary shall have the following rights and remedies, each of which shall be independent of the others and severally enforceable, and each of which shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other rights or remedies available to the Company or any Subsidiary:
(i) Specific Performance. The right and remedy to have the Restrictive Covenants specifically enforced by any court of competent jurisdiction by injunctive decree or other equitable relief without the obligation to post a bond or other security or proving damages, it being agreed that any breach of the Restrictive Covenants would cause irreparable injury to the Company and any Subsidiary and that money damages would not provide an adequate remedy to the Company or any Subsidiary.
(ii) Modification by the Court. If any court determines that any of the Restrictive Covenants, or any part thereof, is illegal, invalid or unenforceable because of the duration, scope or territorial restrictions of such provision or otherwise, such court shall have the power (and is hereby instructed by the parties) to reduce the duration, scope or territorial restrictions of such provision or otherwise modify the Restrictive Covenants, as the case may be (it being the intent of the parties that any such reduction or modification be limited to the minimum extent necessary to render such provision legal, valid and enforceable), so that, in its reduced or modified form, such provision shall then be legal, valid and enforceable.
(iii) Enforceability in Jurisdictions. The Lender and the Executive intend to and hereby confers jurisdiction to enforce the Restrictive Covenants, by seeking appropriate injunctive relief in accordance with this Section 2(h) upon the courts of any jurisdiction within the geographic scope of such covenants.
i. Credits. In connection with the exhibition and exploitation of any film developed, produced or marketed by the Company or any Subsidiary, the Company and any such Subsidiary will use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain two (2) producer credits and one (1) executive producer credit. For any film in which such credits are secured, each of the Executive and the CEO shall each receive a produced by credit for such film and the President & COO shall receive an executive produced by credit for such film. For any film in which the Company or any Subsidiary is not able to secure any produced by credits, the Company or any such Subsidiary shall require that each of the CEO, the President & COO and the Executive are
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provided with an executive produced by credit. For any film in which the Company or any Subsidiary is only able to secure one (1) produced by credit, the CEO shall receive such credit and each of the President & COO and the Executive shall receive an executive produced by credit.
3. Location of Engagement; Transportation. During the Engagement Term, the Executive shall perform his services to the Company in the Los Angeles, California area (to be headquartered at a specific location to be determined in accordance with the LLC Agreement), subject to the travel needs of the Companys business consistent with the policies and practices of the Company, for which travel air transportation, hotel accommodations, ground transportation to and from all such locations, a full size rental car, and a per diem (in lieu of reimbursements of actual expenses) to be negotiated in good faith (all of the foregoing to be reasonable business class) will be provided by the Company at its cost and expense.
4. Compensation.
(a) Compensation. During the Engagement Term, the Company shall pay or cause to be paid to the Lender an annualized base compensation of $432,000 (the Base Compensation) for the services of the Executive. The Base Compensation may be increased from time to time as determined by the Chief Executive Officer and President & Chief Operating Officer of the Company in their sole and absolute discretion (as adjusted, the Compensation); provided, however, in the event that the Company or its successor-in-interest consummates an Equity Transaction on or prior to April 1, 2010, then the Base Compensation shall be increased to (i) $482,000 during the period commencing August 1, 2011 and ending July 31, 2012 (and in the event that the Company awards a Bonus (as defined below) to the Lender during such period, then the first $50,000 of such Bonus shall be deemed to have been paid to the Lender as part of its Base Compensation and the Lender shall only receive a Bonus to the extent that such Bonus exceeds $50,000) and (ii) $532,000 during the period commencing August 1, 2012 and ending July 31, 2013 (and in the event that the Company awards a Bonus to the Lender during such period, then the first $50,000 of such Bonus shall be deemed to have been paid to the Lender as part of its Base Compensation and the Lender shall only receive a Bonus to the extent that such Bonus exceeds $50,000). During the Engagement Term, the Compensation shall be payable in equal installments in accordance with the Companys then current normal payroll practices and procedures for salaried employees, but no less frequently than twice per month, less any deductions, withholdings and offsets required by law, rule or regulation or otherwise authorized by the Lender.
(b) Bonuses. The Company shall pay the Lender such bonus compensation, if any, as the Chief Executive Officer and President & Chief Operating Officer of the Company may determine is appropriate from time to time in its sole and absolute discretion (in each case, a Bonus). In the event that the Company or its successor-in-interest consummates an Equity Transaction on or prior to April 1, 2010, the Company will devise and implement a bonus compensation plan that will provide for the following: (i) an annual review of Executives performance by the Company and its Compensation Committee, (ii) the establishment of objective targets relating to profitability and other customary benchmarks, and (iii) an acknowledgement that although profitability of the Company is unlikely in the initial two years after the date of the Equity Transaction due to current motion picture industry accounting
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practices, the Company will nevertheless consider granting appropriate bonuses to senior management provided the Company is meeting its goals as outlined in the Business Plan (as defined in the LLC Agreement) with regard to, at a minimum, the number of motion pictures produced and the commercial success thereof.
(c) Units. Pursuant to the LLC Agreement, the Lender is the record holder of 484.75 Class H Units in the Company (Class H Units). The Class H Units shall vest in equal annual installments of twenty percent (20%) of such Class H Units per year at the close of business on each anniversary of the Restatement Date (as defined in the LLC Agreement) (commencing on the first (1st) anniversary of the Restatement Date) until fully vested on the fifth (5th) anniversary of the Restatement Date, and shall accelerate and vest in full upon a Company Liquidity Event (as defined in the LLC Agreement) that occurs while the Lender is still providing the services of the Executive in accordance with this Agreement; provided, however, that vesting shall cease if the Lenders engagement by the Company terminates for any reason and all Class H Units which are not vested at such time shall be immediately and automatically redeemed by the Company on the date that Lenders engagement terminated for no additional consideration other than the mutual agreements set forth herein and in the LLC Agreement and with no further action required by the parties to effect such redemption.
(d) Stock Options/Grant. In the event that the Company or its successor-in-interest consummates an Equity Transaction on or prior to April 1, 2010 and the Company or its successor-in-interest adopts a stock option plan for the benefit of management, then the Company or its successor-in-interest shall promptly grant to Executive twelve percent (12%) of the total employee stock options pool or common stock pool authorized under such plan and subject to the other terms and conditions of such plan (the Stock Options), which Stock Options shall vest as follows: (i) 20% of the Stock Options shall vest on the first anniversary of the grant date, (ii) 20% of the Stock Options shall vest on the second anniversary of the grant date, (iii) 20% of the Stock Options shall vest on the third anniversary of the grant date, (iv) 20% of the Stock Options shall vest on the fourth anniversary of the grant date and (v) the remaining 20% of the Stock Options shall vest on the fifth anniversary of the grant date; provided, however, that vesting shall cease if the Executives employment terminates for any reason and for such other reasons as may be set forth in the stock option plan.
(e) Tax Consequences. The Lender and the Executive have reviewed with their own tax advisors the tax consequences of this Agreement. The Lender and the Executive are relying solely on such advisors and not on any statements or representations of the Company or any of its agents. The Lender and the Executive understand that the Lender and the Executive (and not the Company) shall be responsible for the Lenders and the Executives own tax liability that may arise as a result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Within 30 days from the date of grant of the Class H Units, the Lender and the Executive will file an election under Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code with the Internal Revenue Service and will deliver a copy of such election to the Company.
5. Expenses. The Company shall reimburse the Lender and the Executive for all reasonable business expenses incurred by the Lender or the Executive during the Engagement Term in the performance of the Executives services pursuant to this Agreement and consistent with the policies and practices of the Company. The Company shall make reimbursement within
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a reasonable time following the Lenders, or the Executives, presentation of expense statements, vouchers, receipts, and such other supporting information as the Company reasonably may require from the Lender or the Executive. The Lender and the Executive acknowledge that the Companys policies and practices regarding the documentation of expenses for which reimbursement is sought may change from time to time, and the Lender and the Executive agree that they will comply with all such documentation requirements.
6. Benefits.
a. The Executive, and the Executives dependents, shall be eligible to participate in any group life insurance, hospitalization, medical, health and accident, dental, disability, or similar plan or program generally made available by the Company to its most senior executives.
b. The Executive shall be eligible to participate in all savings, retirement and similar plans generally made available by the Company to its most senior executives. Such plans include a 401(k) plan and a defined contribution pension plan where the aggregate costs of all such plans, including administration thereof, do not exceed the Internal Revenue Code safe harbor for any applicable year.
c. The Executive shall be entitled to two (2) weeks of paid vacation during each full year of the Engagement Term, in accordance with the accrual methodology and vacation-day accrual limitations in the vacation leave policy adopted and approved by the Company for its employees. The Executive may observe the legal and other holidays recognized by the Company, and religious holidays that the Executive deems appropriate, in the sound exercise of his business judgment.
7. Confidential Information. The Lender and the Executive acknowledge that the Executives engagement to provide services to the Company will result in the Lender or the Executive having access to confidential or proprietary information (whether in oral, written, electronic or other format) regarding the affairs, trade secrets, operations, results of operations, business and prospects of the Company and its Subsidiaries (the Confidential Information). Examples of Confidential Information include, without limitation, information regarding business plans, marketing plans, financial information, acquisition information, distribution information, licensing information, personnel information, scripts, ideas for projects, motion pictures, processes, know-how, trade secrets, formulas, litigation, operations, methods, pricing information, costs, marketing data, procedures, customer lists, customer information, development activities and technical data and other information. The Lender and the Executive acknowledge that the improper use or disclosure of Confidential Information would have a material adverse effect on the Company and/or its Subsidiaries, including, without limitation, their operations, financial performance, development of their business and prospects. The Lender and the Executive therefore covenant and agree as set forth below:
a. The Lender and the Executive shall keep secret and confidential all Confidential Information, and shall not disclose, divulge or otherwise use any Confidential Information other than for the benefit of the Company in connection with the Executives proper performance of his duties under and pursuant to this Agreement, except with the prior written consent of the CEO or the President & COO; provided that (i) during the Engagement Term the
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Lender and the Executive may use and disclose the Confidential Information as reasonably necessary in the performance of the Executives duties and responsibilities under this Agreement and for the benefit of the Company in the reasonable and good faith exercise of his power and authority pursuant to this Agreement, (ii) the Lender and the Executive shall have no such obligation to the extent Confidential Information is or becomes publicly known, other than as a result of the Lenders or the Executives breach, directly or indirectly, of their obligations hereunder; and (iii) the Lender or the Executive may, after giving prior written notice to the Company, disclose such matters to the extent required by applicable laws or governmental regulations or judicial or regulatory process (by oral questions, interrogatories, requests for information or documents, subpoena, civil investigative demand or similar process); provided, however, that if the Lender or the Executive is so requested to disclose any Confidential Information pursuant to the foregoing clause (iii), Lender and the Executive agree to provide the Company with prompt prior written notice, if not precluded by applicable law, in reasonable detail of each such request so that the Company may seek an appropriate protective order; provided, further, that if, absent the entry of a protective order or the receipt of a waiver under this Agreement, the Lender or the Executive is, in the reasonable opinion of its counsel, legally compelled to disclose such Confidential Information under pain of liability for contempt or other censure or penalty (civil or criminal), the Lender or the Executive may disclose such information to the governmental entity to the extent required without liability under this Agreement. In such event, the Lender and the Executive shall exercise their reasonable commercial efforts to obtain reliable assurances that confidential treatment will be accorded any such Confidential Information so disclosed.
b. The Lender and the Executive shall deliver to the Company at its principal executive offices at the termination of this Agreement (including at the end of the Engagement Term), or at any other time the Company may so request, (i) all memoranda, notes, records, reports, and other documents and information (including, without limitation, drafts, whole or partial copies, and information stored or maintained electronically, magnetically, in a computer, or through any other medium currently existing or invented in the future) relating to, discussing or containing any portion of the business of the Company or any Confidential Information and which they may then possess or have under their direct or indirect control, excluding any documents dealing with Lenders or Executives rights under this Agreement, any other agreement or any benefit plan in which Lender or Executive participates and (ii) all of the Companys and any Subsidiarys property and equipment (including, without limitation, any cell phones, pagers, credit cards, computers, etc.).
c. The Lenders and/or the Executives duties may require entry into confidentiality agreements, nondisclosure agreements, or comparable agreements with third parties, and a third party may require the Lenders or the Executives entry into such an agreement(s) personally and on behalf of the Company. In any such event, the Lender and the Executive agree to engage in reasonable efforts to perform any such agreement.
8. Termination.
a. Definitions. The following definitions shall apply to the use of such terms in this Agreement:
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(i) Cause means:
(1) the Lenders or the Executives willful malfeasance, gross negligence or gross or willful misconduct in the performance of the duties or responsibilities of his position with the Company or any Subsidiary in accordance with this Agreement;
(2) the Lenders or the Executives failure to timely carry out any reasonable lawful directive prescribed by the CEO or the President & COO in accordance with this Agreement and the LLC Agreement other than any such failure resulting solely from Executives Disability;
(3) the Lenders or the Executives misappropriation of any funds or property of the Company or any Subsidiary or the commission by Executive of an act of fraud or material dishonesty;
(4) reasonable evidence (as determined in good faith by the CEO or the President & COO) to indicate that the Lender or the Executive has committed any felony;
(5) acting in any way (including any act of moral turpitude) that has or is reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Companys or any Subsidiarys business, operations, results of operation, prospects or reputation;
(6) the improper disclosure, divulging or use by the Lender or the Executive of any Confidential Information in violation of any confidentiality or proprietary agreement or obligation to which the Lender or the Executive is a party or bound (including Section 7 hereof);
(7) use of illegal drugs or improper use of alcohol, during work hours, being under the influence of illegal drugs or excessive alcohol during work hours or, subject to applicable federal or state law, chronic alcoholism or drug addiction (which shall not include the proper use of lawfully prescribed drugs); or
(8) any other material violation of any material provision of this Agreement;
provided, that with respect to any violation of Section (2) or (8) that is reasonably subject to cure, the Lender and the Executive shall have the right, within thirty (30) days after receipt of notice from the Company, to cure such event or circumstance giving rise to the violation, in the event of which such event or circumstance shall be deemed to not constitute Cause hereunder.
In the event that the Lender and the Executive fail to cure the events and/or circumstances giving rise to Cause as described above, the Company agrees that each of the following must occur before the Company may assert the existence of Cause under Section (2) or (8) above: (A) the Company must provide written notice to the Lender and the Executive, with reasonable detail, of the matter(s) giving rise to the notice; and (B) the Lender and the Executive must have the opportunity to respond in writing to the written notice, with the assistance of any counsel deemed appropriate by the Lender and
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the Executive (at the Lenders and the Executives expense), not later than ten (10) days after delivery of the written notice; and (C) the Company must provide the Lender and the Executive, if requested in the written response to the written notice contemplated above, the opportunity to address the CEO and President & COO during a confidential meeting to be held as soon as reasonably practicable after the request; provided, however, that the Company may assert the existence of Cause under Section (2) or (8) above upon the earlier of the completion of the foregoing procedures or the Lenders and the Executives failure to provide a written response or orally present their position at a meeting with the CEO and President & COO within the time periods described above (the foregoing shall collectively be referred to herein as, the Cause Determination Procedure).
(ii) Constructive Termination without Cause means the termination of the Lenders engagement to provide the Executives services to the Company pursuant to this Agreement at the Lenders initiative, after one or more of the following events, but within ninety (90) days of the occurrence thereof, in any case where no Cause exists and after the Lender provides written notice to the Company, with reasonable detail, of the matter:
(1) a reduction in the Compensation or the uncured material violation by the Company of any provision of this Agreement;
(2) any material diminution in the duties, authority, responsibilities, or positions of the Executive from that specified in this Agreement; or
(3) the assignment to the Executive of duties or responsibilities that are materially inconsistent or different from those set forth herein (excluding an isolated and inadvertent action by the Company not taken in bad faith and which is remedied by the Company promptly after receipt by the Company of written notice from the Lender or the Executive specifying in reasonable detail the applicable action);
provided, that with respect to any violation or event that is reasonably subject to cure, the Company shall have the right, within thirty (30) days after receipt of notice, to cure such event or circumstance giving rise to the violation, in the event of which such event or circumstance shall be deemed to not constitute Constructive Termination without Cause.
Disability means the inability of the Executive to perform the essential functions of his position in accordance with this Agreement with or without reasonable accommodation on account of mental or physical disability, illness or other incapacity for (a) sixty (60) consecutive days, or (b) any one hundred twenty (120) days in any three hundred sixty (360) day period, it being understood and agreed that the Executives continuous and sustained participation in the operation of the Company and presence at work is an essential function of the job.
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b. Termination by the Company for Cause or by the Lender other than upon Constructive Termination without Cause.
(i) The Executives engagement to provide services to the Company on behalf of the Lender pursuant to this Agreement may only be terminated for Cause by the Company in compliance with the Cause Determination Procedure.
(ii) If the Company terminates this Agreement for Cause or the Lender terminates this Agreement other than upon Constructive Termination without Cause, (x) on the date of such termination, the Lender shall be paid all earned but unpaid Compensation or Bonus, together with accrued, but unused, vacation pay (as determined in accordance with the Companys then current policy on vacation accrual) through the date of termination, and any other benefits accrued through the date of termination pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and (y) the Lender shall retain all of the Class H Units initially issued to, or owned of record or beneficially by, the Executive, the Lender or any Affiliate (as defined in the LLC Agreement) of either of the foregoing (the Lenders Units) that have vested prior to the date of termination (subject to Section 8(e)). The Company shall also reimburse the Lender and the Executive in accordance with Section 5 hereof for expenses incurred prior to the date of termination which are otherwise reimbursable but which have not then been reimbursed pursuant to Section 5 hereof.
c. Termination by the Company without Cause or by the Lender for Constructive Termination without Cause. In the event the Executives engagement to provide services to the Company on behalf of the Lender pursuant to this Agreement is terminated by the Company without Cause, or by the Lender for Constructive Termination without Cause, the Lender or the Executive, as the case may be, shall be entitled to the following:
(i) to be paid on the date of termination, earned but unpaid Compensation and Bonus, together with accrued but unused, vacation pay (as determined in accordance with the Companys then current policy on vacation accrual) through the date of termination;
(ii) to reimbursement in accordance with Section 5 hereof of the expenses incurred prior to the date of termination which are otherwise reimbursable but which have not been reimbursed pursuant to Section 5 hereof;
(iii) to be paid the cash equivalent of the Compensation (the Compensation Payment) for the lesser of (x) twenty-four (24) months or (y) the unexpired portion of the Engagement Term as if the Engagement Term had not been terminated (the Severance Period), with the pro rata equivalent of the Compensation Payment, subject to Section 11(p) herein, payable by the Company to the Lender in accordance with the Companys then current normal payroll practices, but not less frequently than twice per month, and the Executive and the Executives family, as applicable, shall also continue, for the Severance Period, to be entitled to the continuation of all benefits set forth in Section 6(a) hereof; and
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(iv) to retain that number of the Lenders Units that have vested prior to the date of notice of such termination.
d. Death and Disability. This Agreement shall automatically terminate upon the death of the Executive and may be terminated by the Company in the event of the Disability of the Executive. In the event that this Agreement is terminated due to the death or Disability of the Executive, the Lender or the Executives estate, as the case may be, shall be entitled to receive in full satisfaction of all obligations due to the Lender and the Executive from the Company hereunder,
(i) all earned but unpaid Compensation and Bonus, together with accrued, but unused, vacation pay (as determined in accordance with the Companys policy on vacation accrual) through the date of termination payable promptly after termination;
(ii) reimbursement in accordance with Section 5 hereof of expenses incurred prior to the date of termination which are otherwise reimbursable but which have not been reimbursed pursuant to Section 5 hereof;
(iii) an amount equal to the lesser of (x) three (3) months Compensation or (y) the unexpired portion of the Engagement Term as if the Engagement Term had not been terminated, with the pro rata equivalent thereof, subject to Section 11(p) hereof, payable by the Company to the Lender in accordance with the Companys then current normal payroll practices, but no less frequently than twice per month; and
(iv) retain that number of the Lenders Units that have vested prior to the date of such termination (subject to Section 8(e)).
e. Repurchase Right. If termination of the engagement occurs pursuant to Section 8(b) or 8(d), the Company shall have the right, but not the obligation, to purchase for cash all, but not part, of the vested units of the Lenders Units (the Retained Units) at the fair market value of such Retained Units as of the date of a notice to the Lender exercising such right; provided, however, that the exercise of such right and the delivery of such notice may only occur within the six (6) month period immediately following the date of termination. The fair market value of the Retained Units shall be determined as of the date of such exercise notice based upon the amounts payable with respect to the Class H Units, as applicable, pursuant to the distribution waterfall in Section 7.4(a) of the LLC Agreement. The Lender and the Company shall negotiate in good faith to determine such fair market value. If they are unable to agree on such fair market value within thirty (30) days of such termination, such fair market value shall be determined in accordance with Sections 5.5(a)(i), (a)(ii), (b) and (c) of the LLC Agreement with appropriate usage of parties and similar concepts to reflect the application thereof to the repurchase right versus a put right.
9. Indemnification. Except as otherwise required by applicable law or as provided in this Agreement, the Company shall indemnify and hold harmless the Lender and the Executive from and against all liabilities, judgments, losses (including amounts paid in
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settlement), costs, damages and expenses (including all reasonable legal or other expenses incurred in investigating or defending against any such liability, judgment, loss, cost, damage or expense) actually incurred by the Lender or the Executive by reason of any act or omission or any alleged act or alleged omission performed or omitted by the Lender or the Executive (including those in connection with serving as officers or on boards of directors of the Company or for any Subsidiary or affiliate of the Company) so long as the Lender and the Executive shall have acted in good faith on behalf of the Company and in a manner reasonably believed to be within the scope of authority conferred on the Lender or the Executive by or pursuant to this Agreement, except that the Lender and the Executive shall not be entitled to be indemnified in respect of any liability, loss, cost, damage or expense incurred by the Lender or the Executive by reason of fraud, gross negligence or willful misconduct. The rights granted pursuant to this Section 9 shall be deemed contract rights, and no amendment, modification or repeal of this Section 9 shall have the effect of limiting or denying any such rights with respect to actions taken or proceedings, appeals, inquiries or investigations arising prior to any amendment, modification or repeal. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, expenses (including reasonable legal fees) incurred by the Lender or the Executive in defending any claim, demand, action, suit or proceeding shall promptly, from time to time, be advanced by the Company prior to the final disposition of such claim, demand, action, suit or proceeding upon receipt by the Company of an undertaking by or on behalf of the Lender and the Executive to repay such amount if it shall be determined that the Lender or the Executive is not entitled to be indemnified as authorized in Section 9 hereof. The rights set forth in this Section 9 are in addition to, and not in lieu of, any indemnification rights of the Lender or the Executive set forth in the LLC Agreement; provided that in no event shall the Lender or the Executive receive or be entitled to duplicative indemnification. The indemnification obligations set forth in this Section 9 shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the Engagement Term for any reason.
10. Assignment of Intellectual Property Rights.
a. Definition of Intellectual Property; Certain Limitations.
(i) As used herein, the term Intellectual Property shall mean all software, inventions, discoveries, processes, know-how, plans, procedures, formula, trade secrets, methods, artistic or creative materials (including, without limitation, concepts, scripts, ideas for projects, motion pictures and development materials), service marks, designs, licenses, logos, proprietary or technical information and all other intellectual property of any nature and in any media, including works-in-progress, whether or not subject to patent, trademark, tradename, tradedress, copyright, trade secret, or mask work protection, and whether or not reduced to practice, which are made, created, authored, conceived, or reduced to practice by the Lender or the Executive, either alone or jointly with others, during the period of engagement by the Company which (x) relate, to any extent, to the past, actual or planned business or activities of the Company or any Subsidiary, (y) result from or is suggested by, to any extent, work performed by the Lender or the Executive for the Company or any Subsidiary (whether or not made or conceived during normal working hours or on the premises of the Company) or (z) which result, to any extent, from use of the premises or property of the Company.
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(ii) The Company hereby notifies the Lender and the Executive that the provisions of this Section 10 do not apply to any Intellectual Property for which no equipment, supplies, facilities or trade secret information of the Company was used and which was developed entirely on the Lenders or the Executives own time, unless (x) such Intellectual Property relates to the past, actual or planned business or activities of the Company, including, without limitation, research and development or (y) such Intellectual Property results in any way from any work performed by the Executive for the Company.
b. Work for Hire. Except as provided in Section 10(a)(ii) above, the Lender and the Executive expressly acknowledge that all copyrightable aspects of the Intellectual Property are to be considered works made for hire within the meaning of the Copyright Act of 1976, as amended (the Act), and that the Company is to be the author within the meaning of such Act for all purposes. All such copyrightable works, as well as all copies of such works in whatever medium fixed or embodied, shall be owned exclusively by the Company as of its creation, and the Lender and the Executive hereby expressly disclaim any and all interest in any of such copyrightable works.
c. Assignment. The Lender and the Executive acknowledge and agree that all Intellectual Property constitutes trade secrets of the Company (other than any Intellectual Property described in clause (ii) of Section 10(a)) and shall be the sole property of the Company or any other entity designated by the Company. In the event that title to any or all of the Intellectual Property, or any part or element thereof, may not, by operation of law, vest in the Company, or such Intellectual Property may be found as a matter of law not to be works made for hire within the meaning of the Act, the Lender and the Executive hereby convey and irrevocably assign to the Company, without further consideration, all of their right, title and interest, throughout the universe and in perpetuity, in all Intellectual Property and all copies thereof, in whatever medium fixed or embodied, and in all written records, graphics, diagrams, notes, or reports relating thereto in the Lenders or the Executives possession or under their control, including, with respect to any of the foregoing, all rights of patent, trademark, tradename, tradedress, copyright, trade secret, mask work, and any and all other proprietary rights therein, the right to modify and create derivative works, the right to invoke the benefit of any priority under any international convention, and all rights to register and renew same.
d. Proprietary Notices; No Filings; Waiver of Moral Rights. The Lender and the Executive acknowledge that all Intellectual Property shall, at the sole option of the Company, bear the Companys patent, copyright, trademark, trade secret, mask work and other proprietary rights notices. The Lender and the Executive agree not to file any patent, copyright, or trademark applications relating to any Intellectual Property, except with prior written consent of an authorized officer of the Company (other than the Executive). The Lender and the Executive hereby expressly disclaim any and all interest in any Intellectual Property and waive any right of droit morale or similar rights, such as rights of integrity or the right to be attributed as the creator of any Intellectual Property.
e. Further Assurances. The Lender and the Executive agree to assist the Company, or any party designated by the Company, promptly on the Companys request, whether before, during or after the termination of engagement with the Company, in perfecting,
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registering, maintaining, and enforcing, in any jurisdiction, the Companys rights in the Intellectual Property by performing all acts and executing all documents and instruments deemed necessary or convenient by the Company, including, by way of illustration and not limitation:
(i) Executing assignments, applications, and other documents and instruments in connection with (x) obtaining patents, copyrights, trademarks, mask works, or other proprietary protections for the Intellectual Property and (y) confirming the assignment to the Company of all right, title, and interest in the Intellectual Property or otherwise establishing the Companys exclusive ownership rights therein; and
(ii) Cooperating in the prosecution of patent, copyright, trademark and mask work applications, as well as in the enforcement of the Companys rights in the Intellectual Property, including, but not limited to, testifying in court or before any patent, copyright, trademark or mask work registry office or any other administrative body.
The Lender and the Executive shall be reimbursed for all reasonable out-of-pocket costs incurred in connection with the foregoing if such assistance is requested by the Company after the termination of the Executives engagement.
f. Disclosure of Intellectual Property. The Lender and the Executive shall make full and prompt disclosure to the Company on a continuing basis of all Intellectual Property subject to assignment by the Lender and the Executive to the Company.
11. General.
a. Notices. All notices, requests and other communications hereunder must be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given only if delivered personally, by facsimile transmission or certified mail (first class postage prepaid) return receipt requested, or nationally recognized overnight delivery service with proof of receipt maintained, to the parties at the following addresses or facsimile numbers:
If to the Company, to:
The Film Department Holdings LLC
8439 Sunset Boulevard, Second Floor
West Hollywood, California 90069
Facsimile: (866) 311-4894
8439 Sunset Boulevard, Second Floor
West Hollywood, California 90069
Facsimile: (866) 311-4894
Attn: | Mark Gill, CEO Neil Sacker, President & COO |
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If to the Lender or the Executive, to:
Robert Katz
2206 5th St.
Santa Monica, California 90405
2206 5th St.
Santa Monica, California 90405
All such notices, requests and other communications shall (a) if delivered personally to the address as provided in this Section, be deemed given upon delivery, (b) if delivered by facsimile transmission to the facsimile number as provided in this Section, be deemed given on the first business day following confirmation, (c) if delivered by nationally recognized overnight delivery service in the manner described above to the address as provided in this Section, be deemed received the first business day after the business day sent, and (d) if delivered by mail in the manner described above to the address as provided in this Section, be deemed given upon the earlier of actual receipt or seven (7) business days after deposit in the mail (in each case regardless of whether such notice, request or other communication is received by any other Person to whom a copy of such notice is to be delivered pursuant to this Section). Any party from time to time may change its address, facsimile number or other information for the purpose of notices to that party by giving notice specifying such change to the other parties hereto.
b. Entire Agreement. This Agreement sets forth the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof; supersedes in its entirety the Original Agreement and all other existing agreements between them concerning such subject matter, and may be modified only by a written instrument duly executed by each party.
c. Waiver. Any term or condition of this Agreement may be waived at any time by the party that is entitled to the benefit thereof, but no such waiver shall be effective unless set forth in a written instrument duly executed (with respect to the Company, after due authorization by the CEO or the President & COO) by or on behalf of the party waiving such term or condition. No waiver by any party of any term or condition of this Agreement, in any one or more instances, shall be deemed to be or construed as a waiver of the same or any other term or condition of this Agreement on any future occasion. All remedies, either under this Agreement or by law or otherwise afforded, shall be cumulative and not alternative.
d. Amendment. This Agreement may be amended, supplemented or modified only by a written instrument duly executed (with respect to the Company, after due authorization by the CEO or the President & COO) by or on behalf of each party hereto.
e. No Third Party Beneficiary. The terms and provisions of this Agreement are intended solely for the benefit of each party hereto and their respective successors or permitted assigns, and it is not the intention of the parties to confer third-party beneficiary rights upon any other person.
f. Headings; Definitional Provisions; etc. The headings used in this Agreement have been inserted for convenience of reference only and do not define or limit the provisions hereof. Any reference to the masculine, feminine, or neuter gender shall be a reference to such other gender as is appropriate. References to the singular shall include the plural and vice versa. The words herein and hereunder and words of similar import, when used in this Agreement,
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shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. Whenever the words include, including or includes appear in this Agreement, they shall be read to be followed by the words without limitation or words having similar import.
g. Invalid Provisions. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable under any present or future law, and if the rights or obligations of any party hereto under this Agreement shall not be materially and adversely affected thereby, (a) such provision shall be fully severable, (b) this Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision had never composed a part hereof, (c) the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall not be affected by the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision or by its severance and (d) in lieu of such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision, there shall be added automatically as a part of this Agreement a legal, valid and enforceable provision as similar in terms to such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision as may be possible.
h. Drafting History. In resolving any dispute or construing any provision in the Agreement, there shall be no presumption made or inference drawn (a) because the attorneys for one of the parties drafted such provision of the Agreement, (b) because of the drafting history of the Agreement, or (c) because of the inclusion of a provision not contained in a prior draft or the deletion of a provision contained in a prior draft. The parties acknowledge and agree that this Agreement was negotiated and drafted with each party being represented by counsel of its choice and with each party having an equal opportunity to participate in the drafting of the provisions hereof and shall therefore be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties.
i. Arbitration. The Company, on the one hand, and the Lender and the Executive, on the other hand, agree that, if a dispute arises concerning or relating to this Agreement or the provision of the Executives services hereunder, the dispute shall be submitted to binding arbitration under the rules of the American Arbitration Association then in effect. The arbitration shall take place in Los Angeles County, California and all of the parties agree to submit to the jurisdiction of the arbitrator selected in accordance with the American Arbitration Association Commercial Rules and procedures. Except for any claims for injunctive relief, the parties agree that this arbitration procedure shall be the exclusive means of redress for any disputes relating to or arising from this Agreement between or among the parties, including disputes over rights provided by federal, state or local statutes, regulations, ordinances and common law, including all laws that prohibit discrimination based on any protected classification. The parties expressly waive the right to trial in a court of law, and agree that the arbitrators award shall be final and binding on the parties, and not appealable, subject to manifest error which can only be corrected by the arbitrator. Each party shall pay for its own costs and attorneys fees related to the arbitration; however, the Company shall pay for all costs that are unique to the arbitration, including the arbitrators fees. If a party prevails on a statutory claim that affords the prevailing party their attorneys fees, or where there is a written agreement providing for such fees, the arbitrator may award reasonable fees to the prevailing party. The arbitrator shall have the authority to award any damages authorized by law other than punitive, consequential or special damages. The parties agree to keep the fact, and results and findings, of the arbitration confidential (subject to applicable law) and agree to execute all necessary documents to maintain such confidentiality.
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j. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California applicable to a contract executed and performed in such State without giving effect to the conflicts of laws principles thereof that would result in the applicability of the laws of another jurisdiction.
k. Attorneys Fees. If any legal action, arbitration or other proceeding is brought for the enforcement of this Agreement, or because of any alleged dispute, breach, default or misrepresentation in connection with this Agreement, the successful or prevailing party shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorneys fees and other costs it incurred in that action or proceeding, in addition to any other relief to which it may be entitled,
l. Mitigation. The Lender and the Executive shall be obligated to take reasonable steps to mitigate any damages hereunder including seeking other suitable employment or engagement of services and taking other reasonable actions by way of mitigation of the amounts payable to the Lender or the Executive under any provisions of this Agreement, and such amounts otherwise so payable shall be reduced if the Lender and the Executive obtain other employment or engagement. The Companys obligation to make payments provided for in this Agreement and otherwise to perform its obligations hereunder shall be subject to setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, defense and other claim, right or action which the Company (or any other party) may have against the Lender, the Executive or others.
m. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
n. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement, and the Lenders and the Executives rights and obligations hereunder, may not be assigned by the Lender or the Executive and any prohibited assignment attempted by the Lender or the Executive is void. This Agreement shall be binding on and enforceable by any successor to the Company, whether by merger, acquisition of substantially all of the Companys assets or otherwise, as fully as if such successor was a signatory hereto and the Company shall cause such successor to, and such successor shall, expressly assume the Companys obligations hereunder. Notwithstanding anything else herein contained, the term Company as used in this Agreement, shall include all such successors.
o. No Conflicting Obligations. The Lender and the Executive affirm that no obligation of the Lender or the Executive precludes or in the future may preclude the Lenders or the Executives entry into and full faithful performance of each and all of the Executives duties and obligations under this Agreement.
p. Section 409A. Unless otherwise expressly provided, any payment of compensation by the Company to the Lender, whether pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise, shall be made within two and one-half months (21/2 months) after the later of the end of the calendar year of the Companys fiscal year in which the Lenders right to such payment vests (i.e., is not subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture for purposes of Code Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (Code)). For purposes of this Agreement, termination of the engagement shall be deemed to occur only upon separation from service as
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such term is defined under Code Section 409A. To the extent that any severance payments (including payments on constructive termination for good reason) come within the definition of involuntary severance under Code Section 409A, such amounts up to the lesser of two times the Lenders annual compensation for the year preceding the year of termination or two times the 401(a)(17) limit for the year of termination, shall be excluded from deferred compensation as allowed under Code Section 409A, and shall not be subject to the following Code Section 409A compliance requirements. All payments of nonqualified deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A) are intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A, and shall be interpreted in accordance therewith. No party may accelerate any such deferred payment, except in compliance with Section 409A, and no amount shall be paid prior to the earliest date on which it is permitted to be paid under Section 409A. In the event that the Executive is a key employee (as defined in Code Section 416(i) without regard to paragraph (5) thereof) of a corporation any stock of which is publicly traded on an established securities market, payments determined to be nonqualified deferred compensation payable by reason of termination of the engagement shall be deferred and not paid until the earlier of (i) the last day of the sixth (6th) complete calendar month following such termination of the engagement, or (ii) the Executives death, consistent with the provisions of Code Section 409A. All expense reimbursement or in-kind benefits provided under this Agreement or, unless otherwise specified, under any Company program or policy shall be subject to the following rules: (i) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement or in-kind benefits provided during one calendar year may not affect the benefits provided during any other year; (ii) reimbursements shall be paid no later than the end of the calendar year following the year in which the Executive incurs such expenses, and the Executive shall take all actions necessary to claim all such reimbursements on a timely basis to permit the Company to make all such reimbursement payments prior to the end of said period, and (iii) the right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary no amendment may be made to this Agreement if it would cause the Agreement or any payment hereunder not to be in compliance with Section 409A.
[signature page follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have duly executed this Amended and Restated Executive Services Agreement as of the date first above written.
COMPANY: | ||||
THE FILM DEPARTMENT HOLDINGS LI,C | ||||
By: | /s/ Mark Gill | |||
Mark Gill, CEO | ||||
LENDER: | ||||
CHATEAU HOLDINGS, INC., | ||||
By: | /s/ Robert Katz | |||
Robert Katz, Chief Executive Officer | ||||
EXECUTIVE: | ||||
/s/ Robert Katz | ||||
ROBERT KATZ |
EXHIBIT A
Pre-Existing Projects
1. | Executive is serving as a producer on the following projects: |
Blue in Green | |||
Slipstream | |||
Blackwater Transit | |||
Ruthless | |||
Bro | |||
ABCs of Mr. D |
2. | Executive is serving as an executive producer on the following project: |
Crevice |