Hollywood Screentest of America, Inc. v. NBC Universal, Inc.

Appellants Hollywood Screentest of America, Inc. (HST), and James Pascucci (Pascucci) (collectively appellants) appeal an order granting summary judgment against them and in favor of respondents NBC Universal, Inc., and NBC Studios, Inc. (collectively NBC). Appellants also appeal an order sustaining respondent Jeffrey Zucker’s (Zucker) demurrer without leave to amend and a judgment of dismissal in favor of Zucker. We affirm the order granting summary judgment as to all causes of action, and therefore find it unnecessary to address the demurrer.

CONTENTIONS

Appellants contend that NBC’s motion for summary judgment was improperly granted because (1) the trial court failed to adhere to the directions of a writ of mandate issued by this court; and (2) issues of material fact existed which should have been submitted to a trier of fact. Appellants further contend that Zucker’s demurrer was improperly granted because Zucker, who was a top executive at NBC, may be held personally liable for appellants’ cause of action for “breach of confidence.”

FACTUAL BACKGROUND

1. The parties’ initial communications regarding Hollywood Screentest

Pascucci is the president of HST. HST is a…