Michael Watkins v. Woodridge Productions, Inc.

I. Background

A. The Complaint The following facts are taken from Plaintiffs’ complaint. Plaintiff Watkins is a successful Hollywood cinematographer, director, and producer. See First Amended Complaint, Dkt. # 1-5 (“FAC”), ¶¶ 1, 14. Watkins alleges that in 2012 he accepted an offer from Defendants Woodridge and Sony to help launch a new television show, The Blacklist, and served as the Executive Producer and Main Director on the show. Id. ¶ 16. Defendants Sony and Woodridge1 leadership “repeatedly represent[ed] to Watkins that he could stay as long as he liked,” and Watkins “relied on these assurances as he turned down other job opportunities.” Id. ¶ 17. Watkins was ultimately fired based on an alleged altercation with a male camera assistant. Id. ¶ 18. However, this justification for his termination was a ruse, and in fact Watkins did not commit the assault; Watkins was fired without the benefit of an investigation or other process. Id. ¶¶ 19–20. Subsequently, Defendants Woodridge and Sony published false and damaging

CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

CIVIL MINUTES - GENERAL

Case No. CV 19-5821 PSG (MAAx) Date February 27, 2020 Title Michael…