About David Albert Pierce, Esq.

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Social Media TikTok Viral Video Right Viral Videos
April 22, 2021
Entertainment attorney David Albert Pierce says social media platforms can profit from your videos, but not in the ways you might expect.
Indie Law Shady Investors Shady Producers
January 13, 2021
When dealing with investors, film producers should remember those with the gold make the rules. How to recognize shady producers — and avoid becoming one.
Covid-19 rules for filmmakers Covid-19 rules for moviemakers
July 15, 2020
Attorney David Albert Pierce breaks down 9 COVID-19 rules for moviemakers that apply no matter the size of your project or where you’re working.
Labor Law Legal Advice
February 11, 2020
Eight legal lessons they don’t teach you in film school about labor laws and being a boss from MovieMaker’s resident legal expert.
August 20, 2019
You asked, we answer: Here are our budget-conscious breakdowns of the priceless legal questions we culled from the MM mailbag.
February 14, 2019
Found a story worth telling? Before you do anything else, understand the true nature, scope, and value of the rights, then lock them down. Here’s how.
November 16, 2018
So, you’ve entered the development phase. Ask first, shoot later: Here’s a legal primer to plan your feature’s financing.
July 26, 2018
Do the financing, production, and distribution of your feature justice with this guide to hiring attorneys for all three branches.
June 6, 2018
You went to film school, not business school—yet all the sudden you’re confronted by a bevy of fancy financial terms as you attempt to assemble your independent film’s budget. Rather than pretend to understand these terms, check out this quick primer to ease your anxiety.
February 10, 2017
Many a scam involves one of the following lines: “Close this deal now! The process for how my funds come is complicated, but it works.”
August 30, 2016
Unpaid interns and volunteers are a necessary evil in indie moviemaking. Just go easy on the “evil” part of that equation.
August 15, 2016
This is a checklist from an attorney-come-production safety instructor with experience in multiple OSHA safety investigations.
August 3, 2016
Defamation, right of publicity and right of privacy claims are distinct possibilities for a filmmaker who wants to adapt the truth.
January 28, 2016
It’s not just about the percentage figure—tax incentives come with a host of qualifications and fine-print, and knowing how to properly address each aspect of a package can make a real difference to your bottom line. So before you dive in, keep these five tips in mind.
January 6, 2016
Lawyers and financiers are all of the unanimous opinion that equity crowdfunding, as applied to independent filmmaking, sucks. Why?
August 5, 2015
Filmmaking is tough, especially for the producer. When you’re responsible for making sure the entire picture runs efficiently, sometimes you feel more like a punching bag than a team leader. That’s why a good producer recognizes the importance of aligning himself with key people to help defend against the blows.
March 30, 2015
If there’s one thing both Alex Gibney and Scientology should agree upon, it’s the value of the First Amendment: freedom of speech, religion, and the press (in addition to the freedom to assemble and petition the government).
December 2, 2013
Telling the truth without paying for it. Exploring how to limit your liability when adapting a true story for film.
January 26, 2012
Distribution is the sole source by which film revenue is earned, but recent years have seen some radical changes in […]
May 13, 2011
I’ve heard that some moviemakers create an LLC for their movies.
April 8, 2011
Welcome to Cinema Law, where you ask the questions of our resident team of legal experts and, each week, they’ll […]
September 15, 2010
As lawyers who regularly work with independent moviemakers, we see the same legal pitfalls on a regular basis. The 10 […]
March 22, 2004
“My best friend’s sister’s boyfriend’s brother’s girlfriend heard from this guy who knows this kid who’s going out with the […]