Bery Grey

Legal Advisor

Vicki Davey Productions • Full time

Jul 2012 - Sep 2022 • 10 yrs 2 mos

With Vicki Davey Productions, my legal role was built around protecting the commercial life of creative projects from initial concept through eventual exploitation. I examined how stories, performances, production materials, and financing interests could be brought together without compromising ownership or creating conflicting rights. Before production commenced, I investigated the legal status of source material and identified permissions necessary for adaptation or incorporation into new works. This included handling life story considerations, option rights, releases, copyright interests, archival material, music clearances, and contributor permissions. Negotiations formed a major part of my practice. I represented the production company's interests in dealings with writers, directors, performers, producers, financiers, composers, distributors, and other industry participants. Compensation, creative approvals, credit, participation rights, exclusivity, ownership, and future exploitation were addressed according to the circumstances of each project. I paid particular attention to the commercial future of completed productions. Distribution territories, streaming rights, festival exhibition, broadcasting, adaptations, sequels, merchandising, international licensing, and revenue participation were evaluated to prevent valuable rights from being unintentionally surrendered. When competing ownership claims, clearance concerns, contractual disagreements, or exploitation issues surfaced, I determined the strength of the company's position and developed appropriate legal responses. My involvement helped preserve chain of title, secure valuable entertainment rights, improve negotiating leverage, and prepare productions for financing, distribution, and continued commercial use.