Legal advice

  • Articles - Moviemaking

Can You Shoot a Film Now With a Small Crew? Some Good Legal Advice (and Human Advice)

Attorney David A. Pierce, who writes a law column for MovieMaker and is the counsel for the Slamdance Film Festival,…

4 years ago
  • Movie News

Movie News: Get Free Legal Help Today; Quarantine Film Contest; Baby Yoda Delivers

In today's Movie News: Our legal columnist is presenting a free legal clinic, open to all, at 11 a.m. PT…

4 years ago
  • Movie News

Indie Law Mailbag: Get Your Pressing Indie Law Questions Answered

Are you an indie moviemaker kept up at night by one nagging legal question that you worry will derail your…

5 years ago
  • Cinema Law

Cinema Law: Can I Fictionalize A Reality TV Idea Without Infringing Its Copyright?

Q: I wrote a novel about a fictional reality TV dating show that bears similarities to The Bachelor and other…

7 years ago
  • Cinema Law

Cinema Law: What Are Your Options When You’re Fired From A Job Before It Even Begins?

Q: I was booked as a makeup artist on a production for the month of August. I signed a written…

7 years ago
  • Cinema Law

Paper Trail, No Fail: How to Stay Out of Legal Trouble? Document Everything

Also known as “Contracts or it didn’t happen,” this practice might help you get out of jail—or at least sleep…

8 years ago
  • Cinema Law

Cinema Law: Do I Need Life Rights for a Scripted Film if I Have Them for a Documentary?

Q: I am writing a film based on a documentary I wrote, produced and directed in 2005. When I made…

8 years ago
  • Cinema Law

Cinema Law: Who Owns the Copyright to Behind the Scenes Footage?

Welcome to Cinema Law, where you ask the questions of our resident team of legal experts and, each week, they’ll…

13 years ago