LeBrun

BACKGROUND

A. Factual Background The claims alleged in this case are based upon the filming of a scene depicting an armed robbery of a jewelry store for the CBS television show, NCIS: New Orleans. The following factual background is taken from the allegations of the first amended complaint, which allegations we assume are true under the standard of review applicable to our review of a trial court’s ruling on a demurrer. (See Zelig v. County of Los Angeles (2002) 27 Cal.4th 1112, 1126.) Plaintiffs LeBrun and Roublow are actors who were living in New Orleans, Louisiana at the time of the events at issue; plaintiff Virani is the owner of a jewelry store in Chalmette, Louisiana, near New Orleans. In October 2017, Derrick Wells, a producer of NCSI: New Orleans, spoke to Virani about using his store to film a scene for the show; he also asked Virani to “play” the store owner in the scene. Virani agreed to both requests. The scene was to be filmed about a week later. At that time, LeBrun and Roublow, who were chosen in a casting call for photograph models, reported to the show’s set; they expected to model costumes for still photographs. They met with Wells, who told them that rather…